Page 7 - Giv'er Miramichi Magazine - Summer Issue 2022

Miramichi Folksong Festival

Changing Guard on a High Note

By Nathan DeLong for the Miramichi Leader

Being involved with the Miramichi Folksong Festival is
old hat for Melanie Ross Breen.
The renowned Miramichi musician and educator first
performed at the annual festival around 1980, when she was
10.
Now, more than four decades later, she’s taking over as
the festival’s volunteer director after award-winning singer
Susan Butler’s 39 years at the helm.
“I really love this festival,” said Ross Breen, who lives
in Nova Scotia. “I feel very honoured and humbled to take
this on.”
Ross Breen became interested in the festival after singing
in her church choir and learning her first song, a 25-verse
tune about the Great Miramichi Fire of 1825. She later took
lessons over the phone from Miramichi-area folksinger Marie
Hare and recorded Hare’s music onto cassette tapes to
rehearse.
Ross Breen currently serves as vice-principal of the
Halifax Regional Centre for Education. She studied music at
Melanie Ross Breen, left, is taking the Miramichi Folksong Festival
Mount Allison University in Sackville and has performed
reins this year from fellow musician Susan Butler, right, after Butler's
around the world, often introducing Miramichi folksongs to 39 years at the helm. Photo: Nathan DeLong/Miramichi Leader
international audiences.
Ross Breen has played alongside Butler’s children and Beaverbrook Kin Centre.
other musicians. For at least two decades, she has emceed “It’s about honouring the past while also acknowledging
portions of the folksong festival. She said Butler has long the present,” said Ross Breen. “We need to celebrate what
been grooming her to lead the festival, but only asked her in we have on the Miramichi because it’s valuable.
recent years to consider taking the reins.
“I have a lot of respect for [festival “I hope to carry on Louise Manny’s legacy of hosting a
founder] Louise Manny, [past festival for and about Miramichiers, with lots of Miramichi
director] Maisy Mitchell, and Susan, content.”
who were strong women and have Butler, who turns 76 in October, said her time as director
carried this on,” she said. was “an education in itself,” but she’s eager to move into an
Blending the past, present, and advisory role and see Ross Breen put her stamp on the
future The festival is entering festival. She said Ross Breen headed up the 2020 virtual
its 65th year and is set for festival – held due to the pandemic – that allowed the event
Aug. 4 to 7. Ross Breen said to maintain its status as Canada’s longest-running folk
she plans to switch it from a festival.
week-long event to a weekend “There comes a time when change is needed,” said
format, and opening-night Butler. “Having Melanie take over is a huge relief. You can’t
acts will include tunes from just nab anyone and ask them to take on this festival without
previous fan favourites. them knowing the background or what’s involved.”
A pub night will also be Anyone interested in volunteering at the festival or
added in 2022, Ross Breen said, learning more can contact Ross Breen at
and family activities will coincide with melanierossbreen@gmail.com.
the kids’ show. A noon luncheon will take place
Aug. 5, and the festival will return to its roots at the

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