Touring Group Fall Update!

The Touring Group consists of teen and near-teen players, singers and dancers. Starting in the fall and continuing through June, the group gathers for rehearsals and retreats with artist leaders and guests to learn and arrange material that is later presented in Vermont venues. The program includes performances at the Young Tradition Festival in early May and concludes with a cultural and performance tour in late June - this year taking place in Quebec.

Fall Rehearsals

The 2023-2024 Touring Group had two terrific rehearsals this fall, spending time together learning new tunes, singing in French, and getting to know each other. Artist Leader Pascal Gemme taught a tune, Le Brandy, and a song, De terre en vigne (la voilà la jolie vigne!) and the Youth Artist Leaders have introduced their sets. Fiona Stowell brought Coleman's March to the group, which she learned from her mentor, Pete Sutherland. Isabella Rottler is teaching a set of Quebecois tunes commonly played by her family, including Tout d'un Coup Tu Maries ma Fille that she learned from her grandfather. Emma Taylor McCallum is leading Bringing in the Sheaves, which she learned at Village Harmony camp this summer. The Touring Group enjoyed an online Tune Share with Artist Leader Véronique Plasse while she was away on tour, and is looking forward to learning the tunes she'll share in person in January, Le Brise-glaces and Korolenko!  

If you'd like to keep in touch while the Touring Group continues to practice and rehearse, you can follow us on Facebook or Instagram @youngtraditionvt or listen to our YouTube playlist!

Vermont Performances

Several Vermont performances are being planned ahead of the June trip to Quebec. The Touring Group will be performing at the Starksboro Meeting House on March 16th, at The Putney School on April 20th, at the Young Tradition Festival in Burlington in May, and will be the featured band for the Montpelier Contra Dance on June 15th. Details will be at www.vtfolklife.org/touring-group as they become available.

Fundraising

Fundraising is going well with our [Virtual] Seat on the Bus project. Are you looking for more joy in your Email Inbox? More than thirty people have already joined the Touring Group "on the bus"! Maybe you'd also enjoy receiving exclusive content - video links, audio files, sheet music, fun interviews, and photos - that will be shared via email twice a month, giving you a behind-the-scenes adventure beginning with our rehearsals & performances and then continuing in Quebec. 

Other projects are in the works, including raffle baskets of Vermont goodies and business/organization sponsorship opportunities. More details at vtfolklife.org/tgfundraising.

Quebec Tour

Plans are well underway for a cultural tour scheduled for June 22-29th in and around Waterville, Quebec City, and Montreal where Touring Group members will participate in St-Jean-Baptiste Day celebrations, attend and play for performances and dances, go to jam sessions, and spend time connecting with local youth. The Touring Group will be staying at McGill College and University de Sherbrooke, with opportunities to visit culturally significant sites. The tour will end with a day at Chant de Vielles, an event celebrating traditional, folk and acoustic music, song and dance, featuring national and international artists in La Vallée-du-Richelieu.

We hope this finds you warm & cozy, enjoying music and friendship this season!