Shepherdstown Music & Dance

Aoife Clancy
Friday, October 15, 8pm
Shepherd University Reynolds Hall

Very few families have impacted Irish music as much as the Clancys; from that wonderful group of Irish sweater clad troubadours has sprung a generation of musicians who are keeping the music alive. Aoife Clancy, the daughter of Bobby Clancy, started playing guitar at 10 and was singing and playing in the pubs with her Dad and uncle by the time she turned 14. After studying theater in University, she toured with Cherish the Ladies. Now performing on her own, she is a veritable gem on stage, charming audiences with her timeless rendition of old and new favorites.

Fiddle Summit
Friday, November 19, 8pm
Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church

This annual concert presents some of the finest fiddlers from a variety of traditions into a showcase concert. This year, our special guest, Donna Hébert combines her lively fiddle rhythms with Max Cohen’s impeccable groove guitar to play a distinctive repertoire culled from Donna’s 40 years of French-Canadian fiddling. Terpsichore features 1995 U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion, Elke Baker, whose lyrical melodies combined with driving dance rhythms characterize her energetic fiddling. Along with Liz Donaldson on piano and accordion and Ralph Gordon on cello and bass the group sets new standards for Scottish, English and American dance music . Bruce Sagan specializes in folk music from Europe, especially Scandinavia and the Balkans. He plays fiddle, nyckelharpa (Swedish key fiddle), hardingfele (Norwegian fiddle), and gudulka (Bulgarian rebec) . Joined by other weekend staff including old-time fiddle master Joe Herrmann and Irish fiddler, Joe DeZarn, this showcase is sure to have something for everyone.

Squeeze the Bag!
Saturday, January 8, 8pm
Shepherd University Reynolds Hall

Do you REALLY know the bagpipes? This annual mid-winter tour of the unique bellows-blown bagpipes will be an education as well as an evening of delight. Kinder and gentler cousins of the great highland pipes, they are designed for playing indoors with other instruments and are mellow and expressive. The evening will feature Jerry O’Sullivan, hailed as America’s premier uilleann piper, Ian Lawther, master of the Northumbrian smallpipes, Chris Norman, one of the finest flute players of our time and Scottish smallpiper Tim Cummings. Our host for the evening is Shepherdstown’s own resident piper Bob Mitchell.

All Along the Appalachians
Friday, January 28, 8pm
Shepherd University Frank Center Auditorium

The Appalachian region is rich in fiddling traditions, from the southern mountains where African rhythms drive melodies that found their start in the Celtic regions of Europe to New England, where those same Celtic flavors are more influenced by the French traditions imported from Quebec. Hammer & String blends WV Fiddle champion, Rhys Jones distinctive style learned from the playing of southern West Virginia’s old masters, Ernie Carpenter, Melvin Wine, Glen Smith and Wilson Douglas with the lively banjo of Joel Wennerstrom and the driving piano of Cleek Shrey into a driving, danceable groove. Crowfoot weaves musical influences from England, Ireland, Quebec, and the Appalachian Mountains into a captivating fusion that delights dancers and listeners alike. Into this meeting ground of traditions, they incorporate their own distinctive original compositions and songs. With Jaige Trudel on fiddle and cello, Adam Broome on guitar and cittern and Nicholas Williams on flute, accordion and piano, they play with great subtlety and an unstoppable energy that is sure to have the audience dancing in the aisles.

Sparky & Rhonda Rucker
Friday, February 25, 8pm
Shepherd University Reynolds Hall

Sparky and Rhonda Rucker have performed throughout the U.S., singing songs and telling stories from the American tradition. Sparky has been performing over forty years and is internationally recognized as a leading folklorist, musician, historian, storyteller, and author. Rhonda is an accomplished harmonica and piano player, and also adds vocal harmonies to their songs. She has developed her own unique style of playing harmonica, which complements their music, whether they are playing railroad songs, Appalachian music, blues, slave songs, Civil War music, gospel, work songs, cowboy music, ballads, or Sparky’s original compositions.

Celebration of Strings
Saturday, March 19, 8pm
Shepherd University Reynolds Hall

Steve Schneider, hails from Michigan and performs an eclectic repertoire ranging from classical to Beatles, and from traditional to show tunes and more. A festival favorite, he entertains audiences with great stories and dynamic performances on hammered dulcimer, accordion and piano accompanied by our featured dulcimer festival accompanist, Paul Oorts. National dulcimer champion, Brenda Hunter plays hammered dulcimer with uncommon precision, flair, and beauty. Her skilful arrangements of traditional Irish and old time folk music reveal the eclectic influences of jazz, rock, and the classics. Mick Doherty is a mainstay of the west coast hammered dulcimer community where he is known for his dynamic performances of a highly eclectic repertoire. A voice actor, puppeteer and a performing musician for many years, he is a delight to listen to and a joy to watch on stage.