Norwich, England is a wonderful city filled with history dating back to the Roman Empire and before. There are glimpses of it everywhere, including remnants of ancient walls and even an intact Norman style keep. One reminder is this carved log, which stands near the bandstand that Glenn Miller performed[…]
Sometimes you find enthralling historic music in the most unexpected places. Take for example this player piano made by the Western Electric Piano Company. We were traveling back to the New York City area from a performance at Utz Terrace in Hanover, PA when we decided to make an unscheduled[…]
Turkeylony, sometimes spelled Turkeyloney was a popular dance from the renaissance era of King James I and Queen Elizabeth I. There is no certainty where the name originated. It has been surmised that the word Turkeylony is derived from the Italian Tordiglione. A Tordiglione was a type of Italian Galliard which is a[…]
I am performing in the debut of an original symphonic work composed by Kevin F. Becker tonight October 23rd and tomorrow October 24th. The symphony is entitled The Hudson River Folk Symphony and was written in honor of the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial and the 30th Anniversary of the Hudson Valley Folk Guild.[…]
Experienced Musicians learn quickly that you really never know what to expect when you step into the spotlight. You simply must be able to role with the punches and be confident enough to play no matter what happens around you. We had a case in point while performing for Jessica[…]
We performed a wedding ceremony and cocktail hour at Onteora Mountain House in Boiceville, NY on October 1st. This is the second time I’ve been to a wedding there and I have to say that I would rate it one of the most beautiful wedding venues in the Catskills and[…]
On August 1st, 2009 I had the privilege of performing in a small orchestra for a wedding at Overlook Methodist Church in Woodstock, NY. The bride came from a very musical family. Most of the members of her extended family had training on a traditional classical instrument, so there was[…]
Written and Illustrated by Eric Ortner for The Civil War Courier in 1999 Music was an important part of the Civil War. It called the beginning and end of the day, and was a means for the commander to communicate with his troops in a heated battle. As well as[…]