Tunks at State House

News from Upstreet Productions

TRADITIONAL MUSICIANS HONORED AT STATE HOUSE

Tourists and visitors to the Vermont State House on the afternoon of July 14 got an extra treat as a the sounds of old-time fiddle music wafted out of the Cedar Creek Room. In the room, a group of musicians, family members, and friends had gathered for the official presentation by Representatives Warren Kitzmiller, of Montpelier, and Heather Shouldice, of Calais-Plainfield-Marshfield, of House Resolution H.R.C. 297, honoring “the musicians and music presented on the CD recording entitled. ‘Kitchen Tunks and Parlor Songs’”

Released in November 2003 on the Multicultural Media label and recorded and produced by Montpelier educator/folklorist/musician Mark Greenberg, of Upstreet Productions, the CD is the first audio anthology of Vermont’s traditional old-time music and the premiere North American release in the Montpelier label’s “Music of the Earth” CD series.

Along with Kitzmiller and Shouldice, the Resolution was sponsored by Francis Brooks, of Montpelier, and Tony Klein, of E. Montpelier. The Resolution recognizes the important, traditional role of home-and community-based old-time music-making in Vermont.

“I’ve enjoyed this kind of music all my life, and it’s wonderful to be able to officially thank these skilled traditional musicians,” Kitzmiller said.

The musicians present at the ceremony were Willy and Lillian Beaudoin, George Maille and George Maille, Jr., Harold Luce, and Bill Cameron. Following brief remarks by Stephen McArthur of Multicultural Media, Greenberg, Kitzmiller, and Shouldice, the musicians took out their instruments and delivered an informal program of fiddle tunes and songs. The speakers also celebrated two recently deceased “Kitchen Tunk” musicians, multi-instrumentalist Dorotha Parkhurst and Franco-American fiddler Wilfred Guillette.

The 74-minute CD collection features 24 individuals and family groups playing music that ranges from Yankee and French Canadian fiddle tunes to harmonica pieces, children’s ditties, a whistled tune, and a hymn. The term “kitchen tunks” refers to Saturday night farmhouse parties featuring music and dancing. Like singing in the parlor, these gatherings were especially popular before the dominance of mass media in Vermont.

The House Resolution further describes the CD as “a wonderful opportunity for Vermonters to become better acquainted with, perform, and perpetuate Vermont’s traditional old-time music.”

(l to r): Harold Luce, George Maille, Jr., George Maille, Willy Beaudoin, Mark Greenberg, Lillian Beaudoin, Bill Cameron, Rep. Warren Kitzmiller, Stephen McArthur, Rep. Heather Shouldice (photo: Leah Greenberg)

(l to r): Willy Beaudoin, George Maille, George Maille, Jr., Harold Luce, Bill Cameron (photo: Leah Greenberg)

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