NEIL MURRAY STAGE SUNDAY AFTERNOON, AUGUST 7
The Palmer Girls
From Conception Bay South, the five PALMER SISTERS feature original material and dynamic renditions of traditional songs, gospel and blues. All sing and play a wide variety of instruments including accordion, harmonica, tin whistle, fiddle, saxophone, piano, clarinet, flute, shakers and drums. Kaliyan (15), Cassie (14), Joesie (12), Thea (10) and Shaelin (8) showcased at the 2002 Juno Awards and recently for Targa Newfoundland and the Newfoundland Symphony Big Ticket Gala to a standing ovations. They are looking forward to playing for the Qatar Royal Family at the Grand Opening of the College of the North Atlantic in Qatar this September.
From Conception Bay South, the five PALMER SISTERS feature original material and dynamic renditions of traditional songs, gospel and blues. All sing and play a wide variety of instruments including accordion, harmonica, tin whistle, fiddle, saxophone, piano, clarinet, flute, shakers and drums. Kaliyan (15), Cassie (14), Joesie (12), Thea (10) and Shaelin (8) showcased at the 2002 Juno Awards and recently for Targa Newfoundland and the Newfoundland Symphony Big Ticket Gala to a standing ovations. They are looking forward to playing for the Qatar Royal Family at the Grand Opening of the College of the North Atlantic in Qatar this September.Matthew Morry
Matthew is 10 years old and a native of Kilbride. He plays the accordon and guitar and particularly enjoys singing and playing Newfoundland and Irish music. Matthew has performed at this festival, the Eastport Accordion Festival, Young Folk at the Hall, Norris Music recitals and recently appeared on the television program, Out of the Fog.
Matthew is 10 years old and a native of Kilbride. He plays the accordon and guitar and particularly enjoys singing and playing Newfoundland and Irish music. Matthew has performed at this festival, the Eastport Accordion Festival, Young Folk at the Hall, Norris Music recitals and recently appeared on the television program, Out of the Fog. Peter and Danny
Peter and Danny Mills have been interested in music since early childhood and began playing and singing together in 2003 when they first appeared on the Neil Murray Stage. Danny plays a number of instruments including tin whistles, flutes, piano, clarinet, guitar and fife. Peter loves to play the guitar and bodhran. His favourite instrument, however, is his voice. The boys have participated in the Young Folk at the Hall concerts for the past two yearss and enjoyed meeting lots of other young people who share their interests.
Peter and Danny Mills have been interested in music since early childhood and began playing and singing together in 2003 when they first appeared on the Neil Murray Stage. Danny plays a number of instruments including tin whistles, flutes, piano, clarinet, guitar and fife. Peter loves to play the guitar and bodhran. His favourite instrument, however, is his voice. The boys have participated in the Young Folk at the Hall concerts for the past two yearss and enjoyed meeting lots of other young people who share their interests.
The Penneyfolk Dancers
SJFAC Lifetime achievement award winner (2002), Ruth Matthews, organized the PENNEY FOLK DANCERS in 1981 to preserve the traditional dances and the old set-dances done in schools and church halls of the outports. With 32 dancers, ranging in age from ten to twenty-plus, this group is one of the star attractions at folk festivals in Newfoundland, the Maritimes and Quebec. Their repertoire includes: The Traditional Square Set; The Lancers; Kitty's Rambles; Six-handed Reel; Eight-handed Reel; Running The Goat, and many more. Accordion player Edward Corcoran of Mortier has been with the group since its formation and never fails to get toes tapping..
SJFAC Lifetime achievement award winner (2002), Ruth Matthews, organized the PENNEY FOLK DANCERS in 1981 to preserve the traditional dances and the old set-dances done in schools and church halls of the outports. With 32 dancers, ranging in age from ten to twenty-plus, this group is one of the star attractions at folk festivals in Newfoundland, the Maritimes and Quebec. Their repertoire includes: The Traditional Square Set; The Lancers; Kitty's Rambles; Six-handed Reel; Eight-handed Reel; Running The Goat, and many more. Accordion player Edward Corcoran of Mortier has been with the group since its formation and never fails to get toes tapping.. Charlotte-Anne Malischewski
Charlotte-Anne (13) began to play violin with Dr. Andrea Rose at the age of six and soon discovered fiddling. She has performed on the Neil Murray Stage in each of the last six years and in four Young Folk at the Hall concerts. Charlotte-Anne as sung and played fiddle with the Newfoundland Symphony Youth Choir in Ireland and has just arrived back from Japan where she was playing violin with the Newfoundland Symphony Youth Orchestra. She particularly likes playing the music of Emile Benoit and klezmer, the music of Eastern European Jews.
Charlotte-Anne (13) began to play violin with Dr. Andrea Rose at the age of six and soon discovered fiddling. She has performed on the Neil Murray Stage in each of the last six years and in four Young Folk at the Hall concerts. Charlotte-Anne as sung and played fiddle with the Newfoundland Symphony Youth Choir in Ireland and has just arrived back from Japan where she was playing violin with the Newfoundland Symphony Youth Orchestra. She particularly likes playing the music of Emile Benoit and klezmer, the music of Eastern European Jews. Jamie Spurvey
Jamie was born in St. John’s in 1989, moved to Oslo, Norway in 1993 and returned to St. John’s in 1997. In 2002 his family moved to Trenton, ON where he now resides. He picked up the button accordion in November 2002 and immediately realized he had a gift. Within days he was playing jigs and reels and singing traditional songs.
He has appeared at several jamborees throughout Ontario. He was featured on the main stage at the Classic Country Music Reunion in August 2004. Jamie released his first CD, Long Way from Home, in September 2004.
Jamie was born in St. John’s in 1989, moved to Oslo, Norway in 1993 and returned to St. John’s in 1997. In 2002 his family moved to Trenton, ON where he now resides. He picked up the button accordion in November 2002 and immediately realized he had a gift. Within days he was playing jigs and reels and singing traditional songs.
He has appeared at several jamborees throughout Ontario. He was featured on the main stage at the Classic Country Music Reunion in August 2004. Jamie released his first CD, Long Way from Home, in September 2004.
Jenna Kelly
Jenna is an 11-year old french immersion student and resident of Spanish Room on the Burin Peninsula. She enjoys playing piano, guitar and fiddle and loves to sing in a variety of musical styles She recently won the Silver Medal in the RCM grade three vocal exam for the Atlantic provinces and several awards at the Clarenville Kiwanis Music Festival. Jenna has sung the national anthem for four years at Maple Leaf hockey games at Mile One Stadium and performed at numerous festivals including the Burin Peninsula Folk, Grand Bank Theatre and Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festivals; and at the Burin Peninsula and Provincial Summer Games.
Jenna is an 11-year old french immersion student and resident of Spanish Room on the Burin Peninsula. She enjoys playing piano, guitar and fiddle and loves to sing in a variety of musical styles She recently won the Silver Medal in the RCM grade three vocal exam for the Atlantic provinces and several awards at the Clarenville Kiwanis Music Festival. Jenna has sung the national anthem for four years at Maple Leaf hockey games at Mile One Stadium and performed at numerous festivals including the Burin Peninsula Folk, Grand Bank Theatre and Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festivals; and at the Burin Peninsula and Provincial Summer Games.
Fergus Brown-O'Byrne
Fergus's musical education started at the age of three (piano) and he soon progressed to the fiddle under the tutelage of Christina Smith. For many years Fergus has played fiddle, accordion, tin whistle and tenor banjo at numerous sessions around town as well as many festivals, shows and conventions in Atlantic Canada. Gigs have included the 2002 Juno Awards television broadcast as a session player with GREAT BIG SEA, the Mile One Stadium Pay it Forward concert, the Fiddle of the World Festival in Halifax and at the Art and Culture Centre (with the IRISH DESCENDANTS).
Fergus's musical education started at the age of three (piano) and he soon progressed to the fiddle under the tutelage of Christina Smith. For many years Fergus has played fiddle, accordion, tin whistle and tenor banjo at numerous sessions around town as well as many festivals, shows and conventions in Atlantic Canada. Gigs have included the 2002 Juno Awards television broadcast as a session player with GREAT BIG SEA, the Mile One Stadium Pay it Forward concert, the Fiddle of the World Festival in Halifax and at the Art and Culture Centre (with the IRISH DESCENDANTS).
Bart and the Breadpicks
The island's newest bluegrass band came a long way in a few short years. Starting as a music class project at Holy Heart High School, the band took on a life of its own with audiences soon asking for more. Band members are Tim Power (banjo), Steve Aylward (mandolin), Emila Bartellas (fiddle), Daniel Banoub and Bart Pierson (guitars), and Rob Pittman (double bass). The name you ask? Bart didn't have a proper plectrum one day but made do with a plastic bread bag tie to strum his guitar. BART AND THE BREADPICKS have been the highlight of shows at this festival as well as shows at the Arts and Culture Centre, Mile One Stadium and Holy Heart Auditorium.
The island's newest bluegrass band came a long way in a few short years. Starting as a music class project at Holy Heart High School, the band took on a life of its own with audiences soon asking for more. Band members are Tim Power (banjo), Steve Aylward (mandolin), Emila Bartellas (fiddle), Daniel Banoub and Bart Pierson (guitars), and Rob Pittman (double bass). The name you ask? Bart didn't have a proper plectrum one day but made do with a plastic bread bag tie to strum his guitar. BART AND THE BREADPICKS have been the highlight of shows at this festival as well as shows at the Arts and Culture Centre, Mile One Stadium and Holy Heart Auditorium.