Do you love spending time with old and new friends who share the same joy of music that you do?
Don Roy, Maine’s own Dean of Franco-American fiddling and 2018 National Heritage Fellow, has created a weekend event for participants to explore many facets of traditional fiddle music. Classes will be offered in:
- Styles specific to Cape Breton fiddle music
- Incorporating classical techniques
- Learning by ear
- Music theory
- Step dancing
- Rhythm instrument accompaniment
- Starting a local community dance and/or learn to call
- Improvisation and backing up singers
- The crossroads where traditional music meets spiritual music
- The history of traditional music
- Caring for stringed instruments
- The health of the musician
- And much more
Although the word ‘fiddle’ is part of the name, all traditional contra dance instruments are welcomed, and participants will find an enriching experience regardless of their instrument choice.
During the weekend Fiddle-icious Traditions will take over the campus of the Lewiston-Auburn College of USM. The weekend starts with a chance to meet, mingle, and jam with the instructors. Many classes and panel discussions are offered, along with an old time country (contra) dance on Saturday night and concert finale on Sunday afternoon.
Fiddle-icious Traditions is part of Fiddle-icious, Maine’s largest Fiddle Orchestra, founded by Don Roy and friends. Fiddle-icious began as a small group of dedicated musicians who met with Don and his wife, Cindy, beginning in the year 2000. Since that time, it has grown into a 140+ member, all-volunteer run, non-profit organization with 501 (c) (3) status. Fiddle-icious records an annual CD, performs concerts every fall throughout Maine, and will perform at the Stirling Bridge Festival in Scotland in 2020.
“The love of the music is what got me started and continues to inspire me today,” says Don. “That, and the desire to pass it on – to keep fiddle music a living thing.”
Fiddle-icious Traditions offers exciting opportunities to learn and to share traditional music. Fiddle-icious Traditions will equip participants with the tools and enthusiasm to create local musical experiences such as group instruction for children, bringing music to elders and disabled people, establishing open playing opportunities for musicians wanting to improve or share their gifts, and using music to inform and celebrate ethnic heritage in Maine.