And today, Michele Malanowicz McCandless, AS '86, and her husband, Brian, are still making music together. Brian performs on bagpipes, hurdy-gurdy, accordion, bouzouki and guitar. The tune names on their 16-track CD, Dancing on Sunday , are in English, French and Gaelic, reflecting the initial inspiration for the melodies that are based on the couple's travels and experiences. Right up front among the multitude of instruments on the album is the hurdy-gurdy, an ancient European instrument gaining popularity in international folk music. The sound resembles bagpipes, with melody and drone sounds created by the continuous bowing action of a polished wheel against taut gut strings.
Antiquity is still around.
Brian is a researcher at UD's Institute of Energy Conversion. Together, the couple created the North American Association of Lowland and Border Pipers, writing and publishing seven full-length journals that explore the world of bagpiping for their members in the U.S., Canada and Europe. Shortly thereafter, Brian's father taught him an old Celtic tune on a mandolin. I realized then that it needed to be played on a pennywhistle, which sounded great. Now, we see a turn-around, with people appreciating the talents of real musicians playing authentic instruments.