Touring Group Winter Update
The Young Tradition Touring Group wrapped up rehearsals at the Montpelier Performing Arts Hub in January, grateful for such a welcoming space. Beyond learning the repertoire, rehearsal highlights included a basement sing-along of holiday favorites, many improvisational moves on the dance floor, frisbee out on the lawn, and a hilarious full-group game of rock paper scissors evolution-style. Think crouching like an egg, flapping like a chicken, and making T-Rex dino arms—sadly there is no photographic evidence!
The Touring Group performed at the Wake Robin Retirement Community in Shelburne in January, joined by Artist Leaders Elsie Gawler and Ethan Tischler. This performance continues an important aspect of Touring Group culture, playing for folks who may have less access to live traditional music. The Touring Group’s relationship with Wake Robin provides opportunities for intergenerational sharing and joyful connection, for which we are very grateful!
February found the Touring Group at North Star Community Hall in Burlington for a rehearsal followed by a show that was thoroughly enjoyed by the audience, whether clapping and tapping their toes in the seats or dancing in the back. This first public full-set performance included music from New England contradance favorites to a round first sung at Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp, all the way to polskas from Sweden and a newly composed banjo tune by Youth Artist Leader Winslow Solomon. Youth Artist Leaders Emmett Stowell and Eleanor Freebern debuted their sets in this concert as well, a cinematic arrangement of the slip jig “The Striking Clock” and a moving performance of “A Grateful Place,” a Pete’s Posse original.
The Touring Group also participated in workshops and additional rehearsals in February at YTV Director Ian Drury’s home. Their manager, Christina Kennedy, offered practical tips and suggestions for where and how to play out in the community. Vermont Folklife’s Kate Haughey and Mary Wesley brought a workshop that focused on how the arts shape us and our communities, with space for Touring Group members to share their own experiences. They also previewed an upcoming podcast about the inspirational Tibetan musician and mentor, Migmar Tsering, considering connections between the arts and communities from an ethnomusicology perspective. Finally, we ended by singing Jenny Jenkins, a silly nonsense song collected by Margaret MacArthur, while Ian’s dog Finn made the rounds for pets!
To learn more about the Touring Group, please visit the Touring Group webpage. To hear the group perform, we invite you to check out our YouTube playlist or find a show near you. Check back soon for an update about our April Tour around New England.
