“Amelia’s Waltz” was composed around 1980 by Bob McQuillen, the dean of contradance musicians and National Heritage Fellowship Award recipient. He named the tune for Amelia Stiles, daughter of his musical partner Deanna Stiles. McQuillen has published ten notebooks containing hundreds of dance tunes he has written, many of which have become standards in the contradance repertoire. The waltz has been recorded by numerous artists including Rodney and Randy Miller, Buddy MacMaster, and John McCutcheon, establishing it as a cornerstone of New England contra dance music. The tune exemplifies the modern contradance waltz tradition and demonstrates McQuillen’s gift for creating instantly memorable melodies.
Key: D major
Music by: Traditional
Type: Waltz
Year Written: 1980