South West Ontario Squeeze-In

Standing - Eleanor Robinson, Don Rivera and his wife, Frank Edgley, Linda Henry. Sitting - Seán Fallon, Sue and David Green, Warren Robinson.

Linda Henry and Don Rivera

Seán Fallon, David Green, Warren Robinson and Linda Henry

Don Rivera, Frank Edgley, David Green, Warren Robinson and Seán Fallon

Don Rivera, Frank Edgley, David Green and Warren Robinson

Don Rivera, Frank Edgley, David Green, Warren Robinson and Seán Fallon

The first South West Ontario Squeeze-In was held in beautiful Goderich, Ontario on the weekend of January 25, 26 and 27, 2002. It was held in the home of Warren and Eleanor Robinson on a rise looking down on the Maitland River as it enters Lake Huron. The view from their sun room was truly spectacular as was the hospitality provided by the Robinsons. I thought that I would have to start this report by saying that those concertina lovers who attended had to battle the snow and ice that usually builds up on the east coast of Lake Huron. But the winter being as mild as it has been, there was no snow or ice to speak of and the ice fishermen, who normally fish through a foot or more of ice, had to don waders and walk into the river to pursue their hobby.

Goderich is about 80 miles north of Sarnia, Ontario / Port Huron, Michigan and is right on Lake Huron. It is the home of the Celtic Roots College and Festival which is held during the first week of August each year. Warren and Eleanor are the principal organizers of this event and this year will be their tenth year to put it on. It is a great experience. Visit them at www.celticfestival.ca.

There were six concertina players attending the Squeeze-In, from Goderich, Owen Sound, Toronto, Windsor and Michigan. Frank Edgley, from Windsor, Ontario, came well prepared to put on a ‘working’ work shop and he had us all playing from morning until night. He covered thirteen pieces in all, going through each one slowly at first and then explaining his style of ornamentation. After each piece we all had to find a quiet corner to practice, which was not very difficult in the Robinsons’ spacious home. After practicing the pieces until we were familiar with them, we got together and played them as a group. We covered several reels including Chris Droney’s Reel, Christmas Eve, The Galway Rambler, The Connemara Stocking, The Blackberry Blossom, Colonel McBain and Ah, Surely as well as some jigs, polkas and set dances. Frank is an excellent teacher and presented written music for each piece, first in a simple format and then with the embellishments added. He showed us his fingering and patterns for some of the difficult passages. We played on Friday and Saturday until after ten each night. Warren recorded all the pieces on Mini Disc and will transfer them to a CD for those who attended. The camaraderie was excellent and Eleanor was very gracious in preparing wonderful meals for all involved. We hope to repeat the experience again in the spring or early summer.

As many of you already know, Frank Edgley has been making concertinas for the past year and a half. With about twenty years experience in repairing concertinas, and also being an excellent concertina player himself, he is in a unique position to put in and get out the very best from a concertina. I don’t know anyone who understands the mechanics and the peculiarities of the concertina as well as he does. He tunes every reed by hand and is meticulous about the fit of every part. He gave us a particular treat when he showed us his latest concertina. This one had solid cherry wooden ends with original Celtic knotwork cut into them. The touch was light and very fast and the sound was nice and loud but mellower than a metal ended concertina. Everybody liked it and a few wished that they could take it home. Some lucky person in Chicago is now playing this fine instrument.

We wrapped the weekend up at about noon on Sunday. The weather was like a spring day and made for a very enjoyable drive home.

Seán Fallon
Plymouth, Michigan