Fork: “That’s a weird tune you composed.”
Spoon: “I tried to make it completely traditional.”

Fork: “How cool you can write that tune down.”
Spoon: “How cool you don’t have to.”

Fork: “Drive ‘er!”
Spoon: “Huh?  Who?”

 

Fork and Spoon, formed in 2012, is a duo made up of composer/clarinetist Barbara White and guitarist Charles MacDonald.  Our backgrounds are very different: Barbara reads music and comes from the contemporary classical [for lack of a better term] world.  Charles, A native of St. Peter’s, Nova Scotia, is steeped in the Cape Breton tradition and plays exclusively by ear.  Our rehearsals are always full of surprises and fruitful misunderstandings, including amusing exchanges like those above.  We play traditional Celtic music from Cape Breton alongside Barbara’s compositions and arrangements by both of us.  Recent performances include the Music Camp on the Canal All-Star Concert (2013, 2014, 2016) and the St. Peter’s Summer Sessions Ceilidh (2013); we’ve also been participating in open mics at the Acadiaville Community Centre Fun Days, the Hawg and Hen at St. George’s Channel, and the Celtic Colours-sponsored Kitchen Rackets Acoustic Jam Sessions (2012-16).  Our growing repertoire includes traditional Celtic tunes such as jigs and reels, less traditional Celtic tunes such as slippery jigs and sur-reels, arrangements of Scottish and Irish folk songs—including one previously arranged by Beethoven!—and our own inventions.