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Berklee meets Scotland at the New Hampshire Highland Games

Berklee alumna Maureen McMullan, part of the Transatlantic Seaway Music Collaboration, performs at Berklee's Don Was tribute in 2009 (admittedly not a very Celtic event). Photo copyright Phil Farnsworth.

According to the color-coded schedule I got from Larry Bethune, VP for student affairs/dean of students, the two dozen? members of the Transatlantic Seaway Music Collaboration have just arrived at Loon Mountain for the New Hampshire Highland Games. It’s the debut of a collaboration between Berklee, the University of Strathclyde, and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, with support from Glasgow UNESCO City of Music.

The team includes:

6 Fiddle    4 Guitars    2 Pipes   2 Whistle

2 Clarsach    1 Banjo    1 Mandolin

2 Vocals    1 Keyboards   1 Accordion

1 Cello    1 Semi-bodhran

2 Multi-instrumentalists

That has got to be one loud bus.

What does Berklee have to do with Scotland? Apart from Larry’s history competing in the athletic portion of the games*… there’s a healthy representation of various Celtic music styles among students plus a number of premier Scottish-style alumni. Scotland also played an important role in the development of the U.S. roots music that’s so hot around the college these days.

If you’re a New Englander, come see us at the Games! The big TAC performance is 9 a.m. Saturday, but the musicians will be playing a number of other sets as well throughout the weekend. Also there are sheepdogs.

And now, the most important question… should I wear my kilt?

— Danielle

* No, really.

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3 Comments

  1. Brenda Pike

    Yes! And you must post pictures of it to the blog. The things you do for Berklee….

  2. Rob Shanks

    Got to see the Transatlantic Seaway on Sunday — y’all were great!! Hope the collaboration goes on & on.

  3. The TSC was the highlight for me of the NHHG’s. I had the good fortune to perform with a few of the TSC members and it was “great crac ” .

    Photo and u tune video link are on my web site.

    DId you find a kilt to wear ? I’m still looking for one as well .

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