Leksand Society members, Kate, Roy, and Jim.
The Leksand Society is a small group within the ASI Spelmanslag that is devoted to playing folk tunes from Leksand, Sweden, and nearby communities, as well as tunes not originally from that area but which are often played there. Roy Cummelin, the leader of the Leksand Society, is an honorary member of the Leksand Spelmanslag in Sweden. The group meets about once a month on a Monday evening.
The Leksand Society has a tune list of 35 tunes, though only about 20 are in its regular repertoire. These are standard tunes from the Leksand common repertoire, along with a few favorites of members of the Leksand Society. There are, of course, many, many tunes from Leksand. However, the Leksand Society tends to learn fewer tunes and play them as well as possible, rather than play many tunes perhaps not so well.
A great many Leksand tunes are in minor keys, and many are melodic in a way not given to common chordal accompaniment, nor typical folk bass patterns. The Leksand fiddle tune repertoire is neither the most esoteric in Sweden, nor the most common. Like most regions in Sweden, Leksand has its own collection of fiddle and dance tunes, played in a style featuring its own nuance and flavor.
For additional information, contact Roy at (952) 881-6166 or roy@asispelmanslag.org.