North County Strings to play at Wayside Theatre Sept. 10

DEXTER — Susan Ramsey and the North Country Strings play at the Wayside Theatre on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. This performance will feature “Fiddlehymns,” traditional hymns and tunes interpreted “North Country” style. Ramsey’s arrangements and the soaring strings and vocals will bring attendees to tears, some of joy and some of sadness, just like hymns do.

A six- to eight-piece string band, this group features upright bass, cello, viola, violins/fiddles, guitars, bodhran, Irish whistle and chimes along with vocals in three- and four-part harmonies. Students of the North Country Strings Music Studio also participate, so there may be as many as 12 to 14 fiddlers, (and one wee cellist), performing with the group. Members of the North Country Strings are Susan Ramsey, Peter McGuire, Deb Maynard, Ruth Fogg, Chelo McGuire, Caleb McGuire and Joshua McGuire.

The sources of these tunes are varied and include old Protestant hymnals, grange songbooks and selections from ancient chants.

“It has been a labor of love to arrange these traditional pieces of music into a new groove … a North Country groove, and to celebrate our faith by sharing our music with audiences around the state of Maine and beyond,” Ramsey said.

Ramsey plays and records all around the state and parts of New England with internationally known folksinger /songwriter David Mallett, and was featured on Mallett’s latest album, “Celebration.”

In 2015 Ramsey joined her sister Mary to record pieces for the Why Hunger Project and for the 10,000 Maniacs album “Twice Told Tales.” The two are currently putting together an album of “Fiddlehymns,” hearkening back to the days when they would play together in church.

The greatness and beauty of Maine’s natural environment is what gives Ramsey the inspiration to teach, perform and compose music. With a degree in music performance from Smith College, Ramsey directs the Foxcroft Academy string program, operates the North Country Strings Music Studio, is the violinist for the Highlands Classical Trio and serves as music director for the Methodist church in Dover-Foxcroft.

Concert doors open at 6:30 p.m. Fine desserts and pretty good coffee are sold at intermission. The Wayside Theatre is located at 861 North Dexter Road. For more information, please call Joe Kennedy at 277-3733, Chester Bekier at 924-5711 or just Facebook Wayside Grange.