Obit: John Chapman

Subject: Obit: John Chapman
From: fiddler
Date: 09 Mar 03 - 12:25 PM

Heard last night that John Chapman - one of if not the best callers in England if not UK Died last week!

John was seriously the best - I learned my trade from him as I imagine did many others.

Thats all folks.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Chapman
From: Compton
Date: 09 Mar 03 - 06:45 PM

Yes, Fiddler. There aren't many UK callers that have the presence that John had. It's one less good caller going around.Thoughts lie with wife Dee.the other brain (and John's "manager") in the couple.I don't suppose too many people will respond to this Obit. I may be wrong but not too many dance people read or write to Mudcat. it tends to be song biased.....though there's nothing wrong with that!!

Subject: RE: Obit: John Chapman
From: Snuffy
Date: 09 Mar 03 - 06:49 PM

A lovely man, and a wonderful caller. Can't imagine the Bidford Dance without him.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Chapman
From: open mike
Date: 09 Mar 03 - 07:09 PM

Wasn't that the exact name of the man known as Johnny Appleseed?
A legendary character here in the states...said to have planted
many seeds and started many orchards. I hope the seeds that "your"
JOhn planted prove fruitful as well.
Though I never met him, a dance caller can hold a dear place in the hearts of the community...sort of like a preacher....directing people
to express themselves and to joyfully interact. I am sure he will be
missed. Glad to hear that he had some apprentices---carry on! I am
on the way now to out monthly Contra Dance in a near-by town. I
play bodhran and will think kind thoughts for John and Dee and dedicate
a dance to them tonite.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Chapman
From: Hrothgar
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 06:03 AM

Is "John Chapman's Ceilidh Dance" related to him?

Subject: RE: Obit: John Chapman
From: alanww
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 06:54 AM

A bit more info ...

Quite apart from being well known on the national dance scene, John Chapman lived in Stratford-upon-Avon for most of his life (which is where I live). I think I am right that he composed the dance "Clopton Bridge", which is the name of the 500+ year old bridge over the Avon in the town. So from now on every time I cross the bridge I shall think of him.

Also, as Snuffy said, he called with the Bidford Band at the monthly dances in Bidford-on-Avon, just seven miles down the road and I believe that the dances have been going for over 40 years.

Alan
PS I may find out more tonight at the Shakespeare Morris Men's practice, as Philip Taylor, our musician, has played the accordian for the Bidford Band since it started ...

Subject: RE: Obit: John Chapman
From: GUEST,Peter from Essex
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 05:49 PM

Yes he did compose Clopton Bridge.

I believe that an on-line book of rememberance is available on the Set and Turn Single site.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Chapman
From: alanww
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 08:04 PM

More info ...

Philip Taylor tells me that John called for the Bidford-on-Avon dances from soon after their inception, that they are now in their 48th year(!) and that the 500th anniversary dance has already been passed. Wow - what staminer! He also says that a replacement caller has been drafted in for the April dance in order to keep the tradition going, for the time being at least ...

No doubt a proper obituary will appear in a future edition of the EFDSS magazine.

"Dancing and singing, bell ringing ...!"
Alan