Yes - unfortunately, "Renaissance Faires" have been rife with guys
in running shoes and a smock playing Stan Rogers songs on Guild guitars.
But this does not mean that things can't change.
My son worked Ren Faires for awhile, and there was quite a lot of
interest amongst the participants in Paul Odette's CDs. I think the Ren
Faire folks would actually love to have some real lute players, but Ren
Faires don't pay anything. Most entertainers who work them make their
income selling CDs and DVDs.
Back to the part about interest: the interest is there. I'm not suggesting
that anybody on this list would want to try playing at a Ren Faire. I AM
suggesting that there are potential audience members and recorded music
consumers in this crowd.
Personally, it doesn't matter to me if my audience members like to
hurl large weapons at each other in their spare time, as long as they
aren't hurling them at me. I would rather have a large audience full of
prople who simply think that what I do is cool, than to have a miniscule
audience of highly opinionated academics waiting to pounce on my first
mistake and tear me apart in a bad review.
"Riverdance" brought attention to Celtic music. And many celtic bands
capitalized on riding that wave of success.
"O Brother Where Art Thou" brought attention to Appalachian Traditional
music, and ultimately resulted in success for musicians like Alison Krauss,
who, even though they are great musicians, might be unheard of today if
not for that movie.
Similarly, those who love movies like Robin Hood and Lord of the Rings,
or Sting's Dowland project, I think, are potential audience for lute recordings
and concerts. How to get the word out to them that these recordings and
concerts exist is an issue. Also, how to make an Early Music concert
an occasion that's not dry, pedantic and stuffy might be another issue.
One VERY good way of increasing awareness is school outreach. Any
time you are performing in a community see if the presenters can partner
with the school system. Kids will be impressed by the instruments, and
it will leave a good lasting impression. I was able to get Jacques Ogg
and members of Lyra Baroque into our elementary school. How cool is
that!
Tom
I must extend my sincerest thanks to ye olde SCA. I once went to a
Renaissance "Faire" with a fellow modern musician (it was his
suggestion). He said, "I'll bet you're happy. This is one place
you'll see plenty of lutes in action." I wagered him a very hefty
sum that we would not see or hear any lutes there. It was a most
profitable day for me. Thanks again, SCA! Chris
Dr. Christopher Wilke D.M.A.
Lutenist, Guitarist and Composer
www.christopherwilke.com
____________________________________________________________
_____
_
From: "Braig, Eugene" <[email protected]>
To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, August 8, 2013 6:12 PM
Subject: [LUTE] Re: general public Lute awareness
. . . Many (certainly not all) somehow believing that assuming a
bad cockney accent; whacking each other with wooden weapons while
feigning the inability to use struck limbs; and listening to modern
Irish, Scottish, or English folk songs strummed by steel-strung
acoustic instruments somehow relates to
late-medieval/early-renaissance life. If that's your thing, go for
it. Myself, I kinda prefer music. -----Original Message----- From:
[1][email protected] [mailto:[2][email protected]]
On Behalf Of [3][email protected] Sent: Thursday, August 08,
2013 5:37 PM To: Stephen Fryer Cc: [4][email protected];
Nancy Carlin; [5][email protected]; R. Mattes;
[6][email protected] Subject: [LUTE] Re: general public Lute
awareness For those who don't speak American, and don't know
American mores: SCA is the Society for Creative Anachronism, and it
has nothing to do with NYSCA, which is the New York State Council
on the Arts. The latter is a venerable institution that funds arts
here, and the former is group of uncultured boors in silly costumes
who managed to completely destroy the NY Medieval Festival at
Cloisters. RT On 8/8/2013 5:25 PM, [7][email protected] wrote: >
No, it's just the stench that is insufferable. > RT > > > On
8/8/2013 5:23 PM, Stephen Fryer wrote: >> Well if you're afraid to
get that close, you must be pretty scared of >> them. >> Stephen
Fryer >> >> On 08/08/2013 2:00 PM, [8][email protected] wrote:
>>> It doesn't, >>> but I don't have any poles over 10' here. >>>
RT >>> >>> On 8/8/2013 4:55 PM, Stephen Fryer wrote: >>>> Why does
it frighten you? >>>> Stephen Fryer >>>> >>>> On 07/08/2013 11:15
PM, [9][email protected] wrote: >>>>> That's one scary thought.
>>>>> RT >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On 8/7/2013 10:28 PM,
[10][email protected] wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Why not lutes? Get
the SCA involved! >>>>> >> >> > > > > To get on or off this list
see list information at >
[11]http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
--
References
1. mailto:[email protected]
2. mailto:[email protected]
3. mailto:[email protected]
4. mailto:[email protected]
5. mailto:[email protected]
6. mailto:[email protected]
7. mailto:[email protected]
8. mailto:[email protected]
9. mailto:[email protected]
10. mailto:[email protected]
11. http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
Tom Draughon
Heartistry Music
http://www.heartistrymusic.com/artists/tom.html
714 9th Avenue West
Ashland, WI 54806
715-682-9362
To get on or off this list see list information at
http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
