Programs
Mud Season Singing Weekend
One-Day Workshops
Our harmony singing camps are a week long, and testament to the extraordinary things ordinary people can achieve when they come together. We spend 6 to 7 hours singing each day, with the three leaders taking turns to present material. Each leader brings their own focus and expertise, making the musical blend of each camp unique. Through the week we learn and refine repertoire, usually building towards a concert at the end of the camp.
In addition to all the singing, there is time during the week to walk and play and explore. We incorporate dancing into the daily schedule, and often find opportunities to dance in the local community. One evening during the week we put on a cabaret, where everyone is encouraged to share music and comedy and fun.
Our weekend retreats begin on Friday with dinner and run through Sunday lunch. We sing for two hours on Friday evening, about 8 on Saturday, and another two hours on Sunday.
The retreat centers we use provide healthy food and welcoming spaces. Food is usually vegetarian and sleeping spaces shared. The centers ask that we help to clean up after the meal. Sharing food, space and work adds to the sense of community that we create during our time together. If you have any special dietary needs or restrictions, please let us know so that we can accommodate you.
Our one-day singing workshops run from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays, with an hour-long break for lunch at 1:00 p.m. These shorter opportunities allow us to come together for some singing and to focus on the repertoire of one or two leaders.
Please visit us at facebook, where we have pictures of past programs.
Mud Season Singing Weekend
19 - 21 March, 2010
With John Harrison, Moira Smiley and Brendan Taaffe.
Hulbert Outdoor Center, Fairlee, Vermont
This singing retreat will be wonderful: the combination of John's high energy gospel music, Moira's mastery of multiple styles and Brendan's inclusive warmth will have everyone singing, laughing and dancing throughout the weekend. The leader of the Montpelier Community Gospel Choir, John is a well loved singing teacher who brings good humor and great skill to all of his workshops. John will bring a mix of gospel and popular American pieces. Moira Smiley has one of the most agile voices you'll encounter—rare for any musician, Moira has managed to master multiple styles of music—Balkan, Appalachian, Irish and more. Even rarer, she is as adept at teaching as she is at performing, able to explain the nuances of these different styles in a way that makes it fun to develop your own skills. Moira will likely focus on Eastern European material, with injections of songs from the British Isles. Brendan is a composer and charismatic leader known for his "quiet grace" and energetic conducting. He will be leading a mix of own compositions, American pieces and makwayera songs from Zimbabwe. A Vermont Arts Council juried artist for his work with dance and story, Brendan will also lead some dancing on Saturday.
The Hulbert Outdoor Center is on Lake Morey in Fairlee, Vermont. This will be our first time hosting a singing event there, but we've heard only good things about the comfort of the space, the quality of the food and the beauty of the surroundings. If snow permits, there are opportunities for cross country skiing and for ice skating on the lake.
The cost of the weekend is $300.
One-Day Workshops
We are pleased to announce that Turtle Dove will be hosting a series of one-day community singing workshops in Brattleboro. Please see the registration page for more details.
Sunday, January 10 at the Vermont Jazz Center
With Emily Miller, Jesse Milnes and Brendan Taaffe
10:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m.
Emily Miller and Jesse Milnes are fantastic musicians and great song leaders who are often on the road with the Sweetback Sisters, a sensational honky-tonk band. We’re lucky to grab them while they’re in town for what promises to be a great workshop. They’ll focus on traditional American songs, particularly repertoire from Jesse’s native West Virginia, and some bluegrassy gospel.
Because Emily and Jesse will be performing in Brooklyn that night, Brendan will round out the day with more American songs, including gospel quartets and contemporary shape note pieces.
The cost of the afternoon is $50.
Saturday, February 6 at the Vermont Jazz Center
with Carl Linich and Brendan Taaffe
Carl Linich is one of North America’s leading exponents of the traditional vocal harmony of the Republic of Georgia. Carl lived in Tbilisi (Georgia’s capital) for ten years and has a repertoire of hundreds of songs from Georgia's many provinces. A member of the Kavkasia vocal trio and a musical celebrity in Georgia, Carl has received national honors in his adopted land for his work to preserve and promote Georgian folk song. Georgian polyphony—known for its power, intensity, and striking sense of harmony—is an ancient tradition known to realign the molecules in your head.
Complementing Carl’s presentation, Brendan will bring original compositions, traditional American songs and Zimbabwean makwayera repertoire.
The cost of the day, including lunch, is $50.
© Brendan Taaffe, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009.