Concert Mar 13 showcases Scandinavia, funds youth scholarships

Seattle Lilla Spelmanslag
Photo by Martin Ng.png

Sunday, March 13, at 4:00pm, accomplished young musicians from Seattle Lilla Spelmanslag will play glorious folk music in concert at St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church, 722 N 145th St, Shoreline 98133.

Tickets are $10, and parking is plentiful. Handicapped seating is available. If this group hasn’t been on your radar screen, it will be after the concert. Although these kids (11 in all, ranging in age from 8 to 18 years, with the balance on the young side) are serious musicians, they rock! You’ll hear great music, played with energy, finesse, and spirit.

Spelmanslag members were recently featured in the Norwegian folk music magazine, “Folkemusikk,” for their accomplishments. They are frequent performers at Northwest Folklife Festival and Skandia Folkdance Society dances, and last year they recorded a terrific CD of music from Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark. (See previous article)

These youngsters work hard to hone their skills, and they dream of playing and studying music in Scandinavia. This concert will help raise critical funds to bring that dream to fruition and to support scholarships for children who could not otherwise participate.

If you’re a musician, you’ll appreciate the work that goes into training these kids. The co-directors (Martha Levenson, pictured at far right, and Emma Anderson, far left), write parts that are appropriate to go with each melody to ensure that even the youngest kids are playing full tunes, though perhaps an easier part.

The group often plays in three voices, including melody, full harmony, and simplified harmony. Learning by ear, in the traditional way, the kids not only learn to play as part of an ensemble and style tunes for dancing, they also learn ensemble skills. For most, playing in the Lilla Spelmanslag has been the first experience of playing in a larger group.

When you hear these kids play, you’ll swear you are in Scandinavia. Enjoy the trip on March 13!