Previous Years

2024

Thursday 7th November

Updated Arrangement Sheet:

The changes are small – if you have already printed it, you can change/write on the following:

  • Pearl Wedding – 2 bar intro (not 4 bar intro)
  • Shirley’s Reel – a little faster
  • A Helping Hand – 3rd time: B parts p. Ending: Slight rall. Play only the first note in the last bar to finish.

Thursday 31st October

A written out arrangement sheet for those who find it helpful:

Under 18s are now free of charge.
Tickets available in advance at https://phoenixfolk.co.uk/events/musicinourroots/
or U18s free entry on the door.
Updated electronic flyer and poster:

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Poster/Flyer – download to print or share electronically

Thursday 16th October

Concert rehearsal audio. Final set arrangements and speeds may vary!

Thursday 16th October:

Thursday 3rd October:

Annual Concert

Tyneside Fiddle Alliance and Phoenix Chamber Folk Ensemble present
Music in our Roots
A celebration of new and old folk melodies from the North East and beyond, by two of the region’s leading community folk ensembles.

Saturday 23rd November 2024, 7.00pm (doors 6.30pm)
St George’s Church, St George’s Close, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 2TF.
Tickets are £7 each (all seats)
https://phoenixfolk.co.uk/events/musicinourroots/
Refreshments available

Poster/Flyer – download to print or share electronically

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Facebook Event to share

Set List:

1. Elliot’s
2. Lockdown Rondo
3. Hawthorn’s Sweeter Shade
4. Pearl Wedding / Shirley’s Reel
5. A Helping Hand
6. Swallowtail Jig / Dansa Kaporale
7. 2024 Competition Set: Banks of Tyne / Glen Aln March / Real Thing

Both Groups Together
a. Bob & Ed’s Ruby Wedding
b. Rocket Brigade
c. Jamie Allen / Salmon Tails

Set List to print (pdf)

Recordings:

Thursday 3rd October:

More details of set arrangements will be available later, once finalised.

Thursday 29th August

A new tune for our Fifth Thursday Workshop:

A Helping Hand (Stewart Hardy)

The foundation line is pulsed in this recording, but this might change! The harmony line in the recording is missing the linking notes into the B part – sorry!

Here’s a video of the tune and harmony line with accompaniment that we recorded for the NEFS Virtual Summer School in 2021.

Thursday 21st March

Morpeth Competition Set 2024:
Updated recording

Arrangement notes:

  • Banks of the Tyne:
    Two bar introducion
    AABB AB (first time with repeats, second time no repeats)
    1. Tune + Foundation. Add Harmony on 1BB (repeat of B part on first time through)
    2. Tune + Foundation + Harmony (no repeats). B part – quiet, with a crescendo
  • Change – cut last note short, anacrusis to Glen Aln March in march tempo
  • Glen Aln March: 3 times through, with repeats
    1: Unison tune
    2. Add Harmony 1
    3. Add Harmony 2 – all play quietly for A parts + first B part, crescendo on second B part
  • Change – last two bars in jig rhythm, to a pedal A with the rhythm “Washing Machine – A Washing Machine – A Washing Machine” etc.
    4 x Washing Machines as intro to
  • The Real Thing: twice through with repeats
    1: Pedal A (Washing Machine – A Washing Machine) under tune – short last note at end of first time through
    2: Tune, Foundation as written, and Harmony
  • Finish: Dit Bah Blat!

Thursday 7th March

Morpeth Competition Set 2024:

  • Banks of the Tyne / Glen Aln March / The Real Thing (Ian Scott)

Recordings:
(current version – subject to change!)

Thursday 29th February

Hawthorn’s Sweeter Shade (Stewart Hardy)

2023

Thursday 16th November

Concert documents:

Thursday 19th October

Latest recordings:

Annual Concert – Set List

Elliot Finn MacDonald
Swallowtail Jig / Dansa Kaporale
Hedgehope Hill / Sheep on the Moor
Leaving St. Mary’s
Maison de Glace / Mike Ridley’s
Lockdown Rondo
– – Interval – –
Captain Tom’s / Gånglåt efter Nisse Östman
Snowy Monday / Chadwicks’ / Keswick Bonnie Lasses
Roslin Castle
White Jack / My Lad’s O’er Bonny
Copernicus
Rothbury 2022
Sportsman’s Hornpipe / Bob & Ed’s Ruby Wedding / Whirling Weans / Gairsay
– – End – –
Possible extras:
Traveller’s Joy
För Elise

Printable Version
TFA Annual Concert Set List – pdf

Annual Concert Publicity

Please share the flyer with family and friends, and any folk or local groups you think might be interested.
(Click the image to open in a new tab, or right click (control click on mac) to save image to your device.)

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Tyneside Fiddle Alliance – Annual Concert of Traditional Music

Saturday 18th November
St George’s Church, Jesmond  NE2 2TF
7.00 pm (Doors 6.30 pm)

Hear music rooted in the Northumbrian tradition in the beautiful setting of St George’s Church. The programme by the Tyneside Fiddle Alliance will include a variety of traditional tunes in harmony, and some short performances by our leaders and friend, Northumbrian Piper, Rob Say.

£7 all seats
Additional donations gratefully received
http://www.stewarthardy.co.uk/shop
or reserve to pay in cash on the door (fiddle.alliance@gmail.com / 07843 238139)

Refreshments and Raffle for TFA funds.

Thursday 31st August

Fifth Thursday Workshop with Stewart

Leaving St Mary’s (Stewart Hardy)

Thursday 29th June

Captain Tom’s Long Walk (Stewart Hardy)

Notation and audio files for our new tune, which Stewart taught in our Fifth Thursday workshop

Audio files

  1. Captain Tom’s Long Walk – Steady
  2. Captain Tom’s Long Walk – Mid
  3. Captain Tom’s Long Walk – Full
  4. Captain Tom’s Long Walk – Harmony (Full)
  5. Captain Tom’s Long Walk – Duo (Full)

Zip file of all the above audio files

There is one difference in the recording of the harmony line from that which is written. The notation is correct. The harmony was recorded before the foundation part existed, and creating the foundation part meant that in the second bar of the A part, the second note in the harmony line is now an F#, but is a D on the recording.

Thursday 15th June

Rothbury Set 2023

  • Elliot Finn Macdonald
  • Snowy Monday
  • Chadwicks’
  • Keswick Bonnie Lasses

Arrangement Sheet – description of the intro, changes and ending.

Recording of the group rehearsal:

Thursday 30th March

Celebration Evening, St Mary’s Heritage Centre, 7.30 pm

On Thurs 30th March, our meeting will be open to friends and family from 7.30 – 8.30 pm for an informal performance of some of our recent material.

Arrive for 6.30 pm start as normal, for a warm up and short rehearsal.
Normal door fee.
Dress: Concert black with a splash

7.15 pm break for refreshments and doors open for family and friends
No entrance fee for family and friends – donations bucket available (and online details)
7.30 – 8.30 pm Informal Performance

Thursday 1st February

Lockdown Rondo (Stewart Hardy) – Arrangement

Notation of the three fiddle parts, if you wish to have them all:

Thursday 19th January

New tunes played by TFA:

Thursday 5th January

Prince Karel – taught by Guest tutor, Sophy Ball

2022

Thursday 15th December

Concert as part of St Mary’s Christmas Exhibition
Thurs 15th Dec: 19:00 – 20:00 (arrival time tbc)
Dress: Concert black with a splash/Christmas decoration!

Arrangement Sheet for the Concert Sets:

Running Order

(Stewart & Ali will play a duo)

(David, Stewart & Ali will play Lockdown Rondo)

Thursday 17th November

TFA Carols:

Recordings of TFA Carols by Stewart & Ali for practice:

Saturday 22nd October

Committee Meeting

A committee meeting was held on Zoom, 10:30 – 12:00.

Friday 21st October

The Northumbrian Pipers’ Society and the Tyneside Fiddle Alliance Concert
Kings Hall, Newcastle University, 7.30 pm.
Dress: Concert black with a splash.

Concert set list:

Thursday 7th July

Rothbury Set – recording of final group rehearsal.

Thursday 30th June

Rothbury Set – recording of the melody line by Stewart
(these are the speeds to aim for!)

Thursday 16th June

Rothbury Competition Set

We have put together four dance tunes to play at Rothbury Traditional Music Festival, in the group competition on Saturday 16th July. These are:

  • Sportsman’s Hornpipe / Bob & Ed’s Ruby Wedding / Whirling Weans / Gairsay

At the meeting on Thursday, we made recordings of the changes, and also played through the full set, so you can have a listen to how we change tunes:

Zip file of all the above files to download.

Please don’t feel you have to master these in order to take part. We want everyone to feel comfortable to join us at the event, whatever your experience. If you’re not confident with how the changes go, just join in with the tunes!

Thursday 21st April

Bob & Ed’s Ruby Wedding (Stewart Hardy)

We have a new tunes for TFA, which was commissioned by Bob for his and Ednie’s Ruby Wedding. It was lovely to hear it played in St Mary’s! For those who would like to hear the tune again, or who weren’t able to be there, Stewart is sharing his recordings of the tune at different speeds and one with the harmony line, as well as the notation.

Audio (mp3):

2021

Thursday 29th April – Fifth Thursday Workshop

JB Grandchildren (Stewart Hardy)

A set of two new tunes commissioned by John Beesley for his grandchildren. Stewart has provided the notation for each tune, plus audio of each line (at two speeds for the tune and harmony lines) and a recording of the whole set with the change between the tunes.

All the files are available on a separate web page: JB Grandchildren where you can view/listen, or download them all to your local device.

Thursday 18th March

Maison de Glace (Rejean Brunet)

Stewart has created a new arrangement of this wonderful tune, which was first brought to TFA by Shona Mooney for the Fifth Thursday Workshop about 18 months ago. The notation can be downloaded and there are audio files of each part plus the three parts together. Stewart has also shared a mid-tempo and slow version of the tune to help with learning by ear. You can listen to them all online, download them individually or download them altogether in the zip file.

Thursday 7th January

Happy New Year! As something a bit different for the new year, we are all going to have a go at The New Year’s Waltz by John Dipper. If you have a music pack, it is in there as it is a Cabinet tune, but we thought we could all give it a go. If you don’t have the music and would like it, here are the dots

We will play this straight after the break, so if you prefer to just listen or take a longer break, there are options available. For the rest of the evening, there were plenty of tunes scheduled for the end of last year’s play through which we didn’t get time to do, so the plans for this week are:

For rehearsal:

  • Arethusa / Dinnington Rant / Cumberland Nellie – remind ourselves of the starts, endings and changes, and then play it through
  • Roslin Castle (pdf) – in Em, there are two arrangements in the pdf file

For play through:

  • The New Year’s Waltz
  • Attingham Waltz
  • Chadwick’s
  • Elliot’s
  • The Osprey
  • The Sportsman’s Hornpipe

2020

Thursday 17th December

As this will be our last meeting before Christmas and our last of 2020, there are a couple of seasonal tunes which we will play in addition to our normal repertoire. I’m sure you will recognise the tunes even if you haven’t played them before…

The set we will spend a little bit of time rehearsing is the Snowy Monday set (as it has a wintry feel – kind of, well… maybe?!) If this set is new to you, you can have a listen to all three (and to start with, four) parts in the video which Chloe and I recorded way back in April – linked below.

  • Snowy Monday / Anne Fraser MacKenzie / 93 Not Out

The other tunes we will playthrough during the evening are:

  • Arethusa / Dinnington / Cumberland Nellie)
  • New Year’s Gift
  • Trettondagsmarschen

with a few other tunes on standby, just if there’s time. These are the other tunes which were new during 2020:

  • Elliot’s
  • The Osprey
  • The Sportsman’s Hornpipe
  • Chadwick’s
  • Attingham Waltz

The Lockdown Quiz results will be announced during the meeting on Thursday – the winner and the runner-up. If you didn’t submit your answers, you can check them yourself here. Huge thanks to Mary, Melanie and Sandy for putting the questions together.
TFA Tune Quiz Answers

Annual Concert – lockdown replacement!

Here is a little video compilation in place of our Annual Concert this year – we hope you enjoy it! The video will premiere on YouTube on Thursday 19th November, at 8.15 pm after our Zoom meeting. You can watch it on any device which has a YouTube app or a browser window.

Click the video heading above to open it in YouTube, or use this link:
https://youtu.be/stn33pAOTKY

TFA Tune Quiz!

For a bit of fun, here is a quiz with crossword style clues to folk tune names (many of which should be familiar to TFA members!) and a couple of folk dances. Huge thanks to Mary, Melanie and Sandy for coming up with them all. If you want to, you can submit your answers and the highest number of correct answers will win a prize! The answers will be published here in a few weeks. If you want to make this a bit of a competition, you can email me your answers before midnight on Thurs 10th Dec. The winner will win a prize (if there’s a tie I’ll get someone to pick a name from a hat). I’ll announce the competition winner at our Christmas meeting on 17th December.
Here is the Quiz!

Elliot Finn MacDonald

Elliot’s is a lovely tune by Finlay MacDonald and Stewart has created a fab arrangement for us. There is a new web page with the notation and audio files, and Stewart will teach all the parts in the Fifth Thursday Workshop on Thurs 29th October. Zoom call details are on the web page, and have been emailed to the Mailing List.

Elliot’s Web Page

New Arrangement – Attingham Waltz

Chloe has a new arrangement for us of a beautiful tune called Attingham Waltz. All the Resources (notation, audio files and three video tutorials) are available on the Attingham Waltz page.

We will aim to play this together at the next Virtual TFA meeting on 20th August.

Fifth Thursday Workshop – Sophy Ball

Thurs 30th July, 7.00 – 7.45 pm

We are excited to welcome Sophy back to lead us for a Fifth Thursday workshop on Zoom. She is going to be looking at Hornpipe bowing with lots of useful patterns, and using some TFA tunes as worked examples – Miss Thompson’s and a different take on Navvie on the Line. She has provided the following pdfs worksheets for us:

Zoom Call details:
Thurs 30th July, 7.00 – 7.45 pm (call open 6.50 pm)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85798635689?pwd=YjVYbVlsYmdqTlltRGRvc0hIMDZ1UT09
Meeting ID: 857 9863 5689
Passcode: 434374

TFA Away Day

Saturday 27th June, 2.00 – 5.30 pm

New tune resources available for the Away Day. Visit the page for all the details:

TFA Away Day

This also includes a full list of the tunes which we will be playing and a timetable (with a printable version). It’s not too late to register – scroll to the bottom of that page for details. The Zoom call link will be emailed on Friday 26th June.

 

Play-Along Video – Sherlock’s Hormpipe / Jupiter’s Return

Chloe and Ali have recorded another video in three parts for you to play along to. Sherlock’s Hornpipe and Jupiter’s Return, using the TFA arrangement.

Play-Along Video – Snowy Monday Jig Set

Here is another Play-Along At Home video for you, a great set of jigs at a steady pace. Chloe plays the tune & foundation parts, and Ali adds the harmony: Snowy Monday (W. Taylor) / Anne Fraser MacKenzie (B. MacLeod) / 93 Not Out (W. Atkinson)

Play-Along Video – Gånglåt / Gairsay

Play-along with this three part version of our arrangement of Gånglåt efter Nisse Östman / Gairsay (W.R. Aim). Due to technical complications this week, this one isn’t a collaboration, but more are planned!

Thurs 16th April

We will be holding another Virtual TFA meeting on Zoom, 6.50 pm for 7.00 – 7.45 playing: TFA Zoom Meeting Time: Apr 16, 2020 06:50 PM London Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89339243623?pwd=Tzk1djhUMy84ZGVlc1Fha29RVWp3Zz09 Meeting ID: 893 3924 3623 Password: 007189 Suggested tunes – we thought we’d revise a few old sets (including one that dates from before I have regular set recordings!) and also play through our new 13th Day March.

Join us on Zoom, or just play along at home!

Chadwicks’

A new tune written by Stewart! All the resources for your to learn the tune at home are provided on this dedicated web page: Chadwicks’ There is notation as a pdf, audio files of the tunes (which I recommend you have a listen to before trying to learn the tune) and a series of video tutorials, which lead us through a normal TFA meeting in which Stewart teaches all of the parts. Watch out for the special guests in the final play through!

Play-Along Video – White Jack / My Lad’s Over Bonny

A video for you to join in with at home!  White Jack / My Lad’s Over Bonny for the Coal Trade – our usual arrangement.

Thurs 2nd April

We will be holding another Virtual TFA meeting on Zoom, 6.50 pm for 7.00 – 7.30 playing: Time: Apr 2, 2020 06:50 PM London Join Zoom Meeting https://us04web.zoom.us/j/474289050?pwd=YmQ5QUV5UGlEZGRoSC9TampXQXptUT09 Meeting ID: 474 289 050 Password: 015594 Here are some updated notes to help you download and use Zoom. We will be playing:

Join us on Zoom, or just play along at home!

Thurs 26th March

Some further instructions for joining in with Zoom video conference calls ( Download ) [written for Stewart’s Fiddle Lessons, but the Zoom bit is relevant and you’ll get the idea] Here are the meeting details: Ali Say is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: TFA Play-along Test Time: Mar 26, 2020 07:00 PM London Join Zoom Meeting https://us04web.zoom.us/j/411905847?pwd=Y2hnNjRiUkZucXZXNGZtZXpUcDRNdz09 Meeting ID: 411 905 847 Password: 375547 If you want to just play along at home, we will be playing White Jack and My Lad’s Over Bonny at 7.15 pm. Join in from home!

Spring Concert: Saturday 14th March, 7.00 pm

Here are some documents to help prepare for the concert: Set List:  (pdf Set List to print)

  1. Gånglåt efter Nisse Östman / Gairsay
  2. Peacock Followed the Hen / Such a Wife
  3. Eleanor Plunkett / John O’Connor
  4. Arethusa / Dinnington Rant / Cumberland Nellie
  5. Swallowtail Jig / Dansa Kaporale
  6. Anna Collins
  7. White Jack / My Lad’s Over Bonny
  8. Jean & Andy’s / Steamboat / Real Thing
  9. Encore with Ranters: tbc

Concert Arrangement Sheet – arrangement details for all the sets in one pdf file Running Order – including arrival and set up times, plus concert details

  • TFA arrive 5.30 pm (quietly please as the Ranters will be rehearsing)
  • Be ready to play for 5.45 pm so we can set up with the Ranters for encore positions and practice
  • 6.00 pm TFA position check and warm up / Door Helpers arrive
  • 6.20 pm clear the stage for doors at 6.30 pm
  • 7.00 pm – 9.00 pm concert, vacate building by 9.30 pm.

Thurs 5th Feb

Melissa’s Fifth Thursday tunes – 30th Jan

More New Tunes – Thurs 16th Jan

Two more new tunes!

  1. Anna Collins
  2. New Year’s Gift
 

2019

New Tunes – Thurs 19th Dec

Here are recordings of the two new tunes:

  1. Trettondagsmarschen (13th Day March)
  2. Mike Ridley’s Jig – Foundation and Tune – Tune and Harmony – Harmony in second time

Performance at St Mary’s – Weds 18th Dec

Arrive at St Mary’s after 6.15 pm and be ready for a 6.45 pm performance. Bags & cases can be left in the Chancel. Dress code: Black/dark with a splash of colour. Arrangements Sheet for the five sets below:

  1. Gånglåt efter Nisse Östman / Gairsay (new recording 17/10/19: with start and finish)
  2. White Jack / My Lad’s Over Bonny (new arrangement 17/10/19 – note the new order of tunes)
  3. Roslin Castle
  4. Swallowtail Jig / Dansa Kaporale
  5. Jean & Andy Leonard’s Waltz / Steamboat / Real Thing  (full set, but use new version of Jean & Andy’s)

Annual Concert 2019

Arrangements Sheet: Full arrangement descriptions of all the sets. Concert Playlist: zip file to download to your computer/device: 8 tracks (41.9 MB) First Half

  1. Gånglåt efter Nisse Östman / Gairsay (new recording 17/10/19: with start and finish)
  2. White Jack / My Lad’s Over Bonny (new arrangement 17/10/19 – note the new order of tunes)
  3. Roslin Castle
  4. Swallowtail Jig / Dansa Kaporale

Second Half

  1. Cuckold / Lamshaw’s Fancy  (from 1 min 24 secs – Concert set will be 3 times through Cuckold, second time with harmony on repeat of A and repeat of B only. 3rd time through T / H / F )
  2. Newcastle / Reed House Rant
  3. Sham Boy / Black Jack / The Drummer
  4. Jean & Andy Leonard’s Waltz / Steamboat / Real Thing  (full set here, but use new version of Jean & Andy’s)

Encore:

  • För Elise  (if needed – wasn’t played last year!)

Cabinet:

  1. Hawthorn’s Sweeter Shade
  2. Franks’ Hornpipe / Sharon Davies
  3. If You Will Not Have Me / Purlongs

Concert Set List (for printing)

Thursday 3rd October

Rehearsal recordings:

Thursday 19th Sept

Rehearsal recordings:

Shona Mooney – Fifth Thurs in August

Thursday 29th August: Shona taught two fantastic tunes at this workshop, and here are the recordings. In each track the tune is played slowly first and then at speed by Shona:

Amélie has shared this great video of Réjean Brunet playing Maision de Glace with his brother André on fiddle, followed by Le Printemps (written by André Brunet)

New Tune – Swallowtail Jig

Thursday 1st August: Here are the audio files for the lovely new jig we learnt this week, arranged by Marina Dodgson.

 

New Tune – My Lad’s Over Bonny For The Coal Trade

This is the tune which Sophy Ball taught at her Fifth Thursday Workshop on 30th May We played through an arrangement of it on 20th June, and this is the group’s recording. My Lad’s Over Bonny For The Coal Trade

New Tune – Ceres Green

Thursday 6th June – Melissa taught us this great strathspey. Here is the tune played by Melissa, once slowly and once at speed. Ceres Green and it was put with Mackinnon’s Brook which Melissa also taught us: Mackinnon’s Brook and Ceres Green

Morpeth 2019 Set

Thursday 4th April – Group recording of the full set Arrangement Sheet for the set. The tunes are:

  • Jean & Andy Leonard’s Waltz (new version – Dec 2018)
  • Gånglåt efter Nisse Östman
  • Gairsay
  • Keswick Bonnie Lassies

Here are some recordings made on Thurs 7th March of the changes between the tunes:

 

Roslin Castle – TFA Arrangements

There are two arrangements of Roslin Castle for TFA – Roslin Castle 1 in two parts, and Roslin Castle 2 in three parts. Here is a selection of recordings from our meeting on 7th February of both versions:

Stewart’s Fifth Thursday Workshop – 31st January

“Producing Good Tone – both individually and as an ensemble” Here is a recording of Stewart’s rendition of Roslin Castle in Em as performed in the workshop – just beautiful and so inspiring! Roslin Castle (Em) Stewart Hardy

2018

New Tune – Gånglåt efter Nisse Östman

Stewart taught us this great walking tune from Hälsingland in Sweden on 20th December. Here is the tune once through played by Stewart & Ali, and the second time with the harmony added along with the foundation played by Alison on the cello. Gånglåt efter Nisse Östman

New Tune – Gairsay

Gairsay is a great march by W.R.Aim from Orkney. It was first taught at TFA in our meeting on 6th December 2018. Here is a recording of the tune, twice through: Tune mp3 And here is the harmony: Harmony mp3 Foundation recording to come.

TFA Annual Concert – Thurs 22nd November

Here is the updated Arrangement Sheet. Concert Running Order. TFA First Half (links to mp3 files): Schottische from Idre / Barshebak Schottische The Valiant / Kendal Ghyll (Valiant: start) Road to the North / Farewell to the Dene Arethusa / Dinnington Rant / Cumberland Nellie (16th Nov) TFA Set B: Sherlocks’ / Jupiter’s Eleanor Plunkett / John O’Connor (with an additional Bah Blat! to finish – watch for timing) Uist Dance / MacKinnon’s Brook Jean & Andy Leonard’s / Steamboat / Real Thing Encore: För Elise Cabinet: Järvsö Schottische  Twice through, harmony second time (and for those learning the tune, here is Stewart playing just the melody). Mr Vanbrugh’s Maggot (New tune – Arrangement sheet) Mr Vanbrugh’s Maggot: this is Bottle Bank Band playing the tune as it was arranged for Morpeth Community Strings, with harmonies and chops which make up the different parts. I’ve removed the intro and middle part of this arrangement, and the ending is different. Here are recordings of the different parts for the TFA arrangement (zip file to download)

Dr Robb’s Dancing Feet / Roman Wall  Twice through each, harmony second time.

Updated Session Information

On the Third Thursday of each month TFA hosts a session, which is currently held in The Central in Gateshead after our TFA meeting, from around 8.45 pm. There is now no charge for the session – drinks are available to purchase at the bar. Here are some FAQs and their answers, along with some tune suggestions, for you to download. TFA Session FAQs TFA Session Tune Suggestions

Tynedale Accordion & Fiddle Club – Thurs 20th Sept

Meet at Hexham Auction Mart at 6.30 pm to tune up and warm up. The evening begins at 7.00 pm and we will play our support slot at around 7.20 pm. Dress code: Smart casual (no need for black concert wear) All are welcome & encouraged to stay for the rest of the evening. Tickets for non-performers are £5 on the door. Here is the full Arrangement Sheet with the details of the sets we are performing and the changes. These are previous recordings, but will remind you of how the set and the changes go: Schottische from Idre / Barshebak Schottische Eleanor Plunkett / John O’Connor (with an additional Bah Blat! to finish – watch for timing) Arethusa / Dinnington Rant / Cumberland Nellie For those driving, turn off the A69 at the Hexham junction (A6079 to Hexham), cross the River Tyne and at the first roundabout turn right towards the Auction Mart and Tyne Green. Take the first turning left into the Auction Mart car park. The Mart is the large building at the far end. If you need a lift please get in touch as soon as possible. If you are travelling by train, Hexham Rail Station is less than 10 mins walk away, but shout if you’d like to be picked up. From the station entrance turn right and walk up the road to the railway bridge and turn right, crossing the railway bridge. At the next roundabout turn left towards the Auction Mart and Tyne Green and follow the instructions above.

Melissa’s Fifth Thursday Workshop – 30th August

Huge thanks to Melissa who taught a fantastic workshop. Here are the tunes and the recordings that were made on the night. 01 The Nameless Lassie 02 Ho Ro Mo Bhobag An Dram 03 The Nameless Lassie Full Set The Nameless Lassie and Ho Ro Mo Bhogag An Dram  (Printed sheets are available from TFA meetings) The Nameless Lassie TFA Ho Ro Mo Bhobag An Dram - page 1  Ho Ro Mo Bhobag An Dram - page 2

 Rothbury – Full Set (21st June)

180621-TFA_RothburySet (mp3) http://tynesidefiddlealliance.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/180621-TFA_RothburySet.mp3 Arrangement Sheet (pdf: written description of the set – intro, changes and ending)

May 31st – Fifth Thursday workshop with Chris Meredith

The Reconciliation – Steady tempo (mp3) Worksheet Resources from Chris (pdfs): The Reconciliation – breakdown for intermediates and advanced The Reconciliation – breakdown for intermediates and advanced colour The Reconciliation – advanced with ornamentation The Reconciliation – Learning by memory

Rothbury Set recordings – 7th June

A few more recordings made on Thurs 7th June, as work in progress for the Rothbury Set: Zip file for download 01-Spootiskerry_Ending 02-Spootiskerry_Twice_Ending 03-JeanAndys_MissThompsons_93NO_Spootiskerry The full Rothbury Set is: Jamie Allen  >  Jean & Andy Leonard’s  >  Miss Thompson’s  >  93 Not Out > Spootiskerry A full set of Arrangement Notes will be published as soon as possible.

Tunes for Rothbury, July 2018

Here are recordings of some the changes for the set of tunes (recorded on 17th May) which we will be playing for Rothbury Traditional Music Festival, on Sat 14th July 2018. The Ceilidh Band competition is usually around 3 pm in the Jubilee Hall. The tunes include:  Jamie Allen  >  Jean & Andy Leonard’s  >  Miss Thompson’s  >  93 Not Out You can download all the recordings as a zip file here, or listen to them individually below. 01-Intro_JamieAllen 02-ProposedChange_JamieAllen_to_JeanAndy 03-Change_to_JeanAndy_Foundation 04-Change_to_JeanAndy_AllParts 05-JamieAllen_to_JeanAndy_FullChange 06-JeanAndy_to_MissThompsons 07-MissTs_to_93NO_Tune 08-MissTs_to_93NO_Harmony 09-MissTs_to_93NO_AllParts_Demo 10_MissTs_to_93NO 11_MissTs_to_93NO_Take2

Session Information

On the Third Thursday of each month TFA hosts a session, which is currently held in The Central in Gateshead after our TFA meeting, from around 8.45 pm. Here are some FAQs and their answers, along with some tune suggestions for you to download. TFA Session FAQs TFA Session Tune Suggestions

O’Carolan Set

Here are some recordings of work on the O’Carolan set: Eleanor Plunkett and John O’Connor from 15th Feb 2018: Eleanor Plunkett arrangement Change between the two tunes Ending of John O’Connor (ringing strings, then stopped strings) Full set: Eleanor Plunkett / John O’Connor Arrangement sheet (pdf) Murray River / Alistair J. Simm  (15th Feb 2018) Arrangement sheet (pdf)

New Tunes!

Recordings made on 18th Jan 2018: Eleanor Plunkett John O’Connor And for revision we did Murray River Jig. If you want to look ahead, the tune that follows this will be A J Simm, and the full set can be heard here (from our rehearsal for the St George’s Concert in June 2016).

2017

TFA Annual Concert – Thurs 23rd November, 2017

St Mary’s Heritage Centre, Gateshead. 7.30 pm (Doors open 6.45 pm) £5. Please arrive from 6 pm to set up from 6.15 pm and warm up in position at 6.30 pm. As you know there is limited car parking space at St Mary’s. Please use the car parks on Church Street, or up near the Old Town Hall (Swinburne Street Car Park). The RNS will be playing at Sage on the same evening, so car parks are likely to be busy. Please allow extra time.

Concert Set List (pdf files)

TFA Full Set List Arrangements for Set A Arrangements for Set B Arrangements for Cabinet Leaders’ Parts TFA Set A (links to mp3 files): Schottische from Idre / Barshebak Schottische Arethusa / Dinnington Rant / Cumberland Nellie (16th Nov) Copernicus The Sham Boy / Black Jack / The Drummer (16th Nov) Peacock / Such a Wife TFA Set B: Hesleyside Reel / Jock Wilson / Spootiskerry The Valiant / Kendal Ghyll (16th Nov – Valiant: start) MacKinnon’s / Cuckold / Lamshaw’s (16th Nov) Jean & Andy Leonard’s / Steamboat / Real Thing Encore: Traveller’s Joy (16th Nov) Brafferton Village / Balls to Hall / New High Level (reserve) Cabinet: Järvsö Schottische (16th Nov) New Year’s Waltz (16th Nov) Charlie Hunter / Sharon Davis USA (16th Nov)

Running Order

TFA Running Order  (pdf for printing) TFA Set A Cabinet – – Interval – – Woolsington Strings Duet (Stewart & Ali) TFA Set B

Rothbury Traditional Music Festival 2017

Saturday 15th July, Rothbury Village. We will be entering the Ceilidh Band competition, which is scheduled for around 3 pm. However, it follows other competitions and there is no way of knowing exactly what time it will be. The Set: Banks of the Tyne Cumberland Nellie Lamshaw’s Fancy Sheep on the Moor The tunes will be played twice through each, and the changes between the tunes have been summarised on this recording below by Stewart & Ali. You will notice that the ending to Sheep on the Moor is different from that in our previous set. This time it will be the traditional ceilidh set ending – the Dit Blah Blat!

We are not a ceilidh band as such, but it will be good performance practice for us, and we have chosen a set of tunes that shows examples of dance tempo tunes that we play. It is a lovely weekend festival, so please do come and join us and just take part. Fiddle competitions begin at 12.30 pm, and there is a duet category too.

Material from Grace Smith’s Workshop – 29th June 2017

We played three tunes from the Vickers’ Collection over the course of the evening, which Grace had arranged for us: The Sham Boy / Black Jack / The Drummer We looked at the change from Black Jack into The Drummer: (Download)

Here is the full set of tunes: (Download)

And this was our arrangement at the end of the evenings: (Download)

Heaton Festival 2017

Saturday 24th June, 2.10 pm on the King John’s Palace Stage, Heaton Park  (https://goo.gl/maps/ezTu4DxgiAw) Meet at King John’s Palace, 1.45 pm   Dress code: Summer colours Repertoire: Schottische from Idre / Barshebak Schottische Brafferton Village / Balls to Hall / New High Level Jamie Allen / Salmon Tails Jean & Andy Leonard’s / Steamboat / Real Thing Heaton Festival Arrangement Sheet

The Bishop of Chester’s Jig

Firstly a fantastic recording of Jim Boyle playing through this tune with such a lovely style. Thanks to Viv for recording this. (Download)

Here is the TFA playing an arrangement of the tune. (Download)

The Valiant  (Simon Ritchie)

A play through by Stewart and Chloe (Tune and Foundation).  Listen below or download.

Dansa Kaporale – taught by Sophy Ball, 30th March 2017

The final run through on the night. Listen below or download.

2017 Competition Set

  • The Arethusa Set  (Arethusa / Dinnington Rant / Cumberland Nellie). Listen below or download.
  • Cumberland Nellie  (Listen below, or download)

2016

TFA Annual Concert – Thurs 24th November, 2016

Concert Set List

TFA Set List in Order (pdf) Arrangement Sheets with all details and changes:

First Half Recordings
Second Half Recordings
Encores

Cabinet Set Recordings

Rehearsal Recordings – Thurs 20th Oct

Arrangement Sheet Includes set notes for: För Elise, Hedgehope Hill / Sheep on the Moor, Whisky for Breakfast / White Jack, Neil Taylor’s / Shuters / Keswick and for the Cabinet: Blackbeard / Peter Man Recording of White Jack:

Rothbury Traditional Music Festival – Sat 16th July, 2016

Revised set for Rothbury Competition:

Right click here to download the file. Set notes: Elsey’s waltz:  AB (no repeats) three times through. 4 bar intro. 1st: Foundation 1 & 2 pizzicato, Tune. 2nd: Tune and Harmony 2 (no Foundation) 3rd: F1 & 2 pizz, Tune, Harmony 2 and Harmony 1 Ending: Penultimate bar, D arpeggio descending crotchets getting slower. Last bar is a rising triplet from D as at start of Shelock’s.  (Harmony 1 & 2 join tune for arpeggio, F1 & 2 play the penultimate bar pizz with LH, to aid change to bow) Sherlock’s & Jupiter’s  – CHANGE: once through each only. Sherlock’s: 2A 2B Tune, Foundation and Harmony. Jupiter’s: 2A 2B Tune, Foundation & Harmony with dynamics. End on G, first beat of last bar, then G# leading note, dotted crotchet into… The Real Thing (as in the concert, twice through) 1st: 2A 2B Tune, Foundation & Harmony 2nd: 2A Tune & pedal note, 2B Tune, Foundation & Harmony. Ending: Dit Bla Blat (of course!) According to the Rothbury festival website, the Ceilidh Band competition will be in the Jubilee Hall at 3 pm. Please arrive in plenty of time to tune up and warm up, and check the running schedule when you arrive. We will be gathering in the Jubilee Hall from around 2.30 pm.

TFA Concert – Thurs 23rd June, 2016

Recordings of Sets for our Concert on Thurs 23rd June

  1. Schottisches
  2. Murray River / A J Simm
  3. Brafferton Village Set
  4. Cuckold / Lamshaw’s
  5. Traveller’s Joy
  6. Sherlocks’ / Jupiter’s
  7. Peacock / Such a Wife
  8. Jean & Andy’s Set
  9. Copernicus – melody is on Practice CD 2 (track 33)
  10. Jamie Allen / Salmon Tails
Cabinet Sets
  1. Dr Robb’s / Roman Wall
  2. Hawthorn’s Sweeter Shade
  3. If you will not / Purlongs