Glossary
Alfred Montmarquette (1871–1944): A self-taught accordionist and composer with a deep knowledge of folk traditions. He recorded over 100 pieces of music, some in collaboration with Ovila Légaré, Eugène Daigneault and La Bolduc.
Amateur: A musician for whom music is not their primary profession.
Bas de la paroisse: That part of Montmagny east of the Rivière du Sud, near Route 132.
Caller: In traditional dance, an individual who announces the steps for dancers to follow.
Diatonic accordion: Used in Quebec to play traditional music, the diatonic accordion is a bisonoric instrument. In other words, with the same key held down, it plays different notes when the bellows are pushed or pulled. The right-hand fingerboard can have one, two or three rows of buttons. Diatonic accordions with one row of buttons are the most popular style in the Montmagny area. The same instrument is used to play traditional music in various other parts of the world.
Gérard Lajoie (1923–1991): A popular accordionist in the 1950s. Although he mainly played traditional tunes, he also drew inspiration from world music. He was a member of the Montagnards Laurentiens, a band featured on a popular radio program.
Intangible heritage: A form of practice, representation, expression, knowledge or know-how passed down from generation to generation. To be recognized as such, expressions of intangible heritage must remain active and continue to be transmitted to new individuals.
Joseph Guilmette (1886–1950): An accordionist renowned for his impeccable technique and varied repertoire. Popular in the 1930s and 1940s, he regularly entertained troops at military bases during the Second World War.
Keys: Slang for the number of registers on an instrument.
Laetere Sunday: The fourth Sunday in Lent, known as la Mi-Carême (mid-Lent) in French. Community members would traditionally mark the occasion by going door to door in costume.
Musical saw: Handsaw played as an instrument by running a bow along the smooth edge.
Pasquale “Pat” Marrazza (1890–1955): A Montreal-based music teacher and music store owner, as well as an accordion maker and importer, Pat Marrazza played a key role in promoting the piano accordion.
Philippe Bruneau (1934-2011): A master accordionist from Montreal, known for his original compositions as well as his extensive efforts to promote traditional Quebec music.
Pine Tree: A line of instruments produced by Ludwig, a German manufacturer. Sold by mail order, large numbers of Pine Tree accordions were imported to Quebec at the end of the 19th century. They featured images of pine trees on the register switches.
Quadrille: A 19th-century dance performed by four pairs of dancers.
Reel: A form of dance music played in 2/4 time and very popular in the Montmagny area.
Théodore Duguay (1904–1950): An accordionist who also mastered the piano and harmonica, Théodore Duguay was popular in the 1930s and 1940s. However, he only recorded a total of two albums.
Young Christian Workers: An international lay Catholic movement that reached Montreal in 1931. It aimed to organize activities for working-class youth and provide them with meeting places.