The
Vermont Fiddle Orchestra
is
a non-profit community orchestra of musicians who come from a
variety of musical backgrounds and share a common
interest in the performance of traditional fiddle music.
The orchestra plays tunes learned by ear as well as
arrangements of traditional tunes made mostly by our
fiddling composer, John Mowad, that come from a various
styles including Celtic, French Canadian, Southern U.S.,
and New England -- with a special
selection of tunes written by Vermont fiddlers.
The purpose of
the orchestra is to provide a place for musicians to
learn all the basics of performing and musicianship,
both in the traditional manner (learning by ear) and
using sheet music. The graduated parts allow musicians
of various ability levels to play together in harmony.
Our community-based orchestra meets Mondays in
Montpelier
and performs
occasionally in convalescent centers and at community
events under the direction of fiddler Sarah Hotchkiss.
There are three
sessions yearly: fall, spring, and summer, so
participants can pick and choose any or all of the
sessions. Our Fall
and Spring sessions culminate with a performance with
one of Vermont or New England's prominent fiddlers as
soloist. We have performed with such noted Vermont
fiddlers as Adam Boyce, Pete Sutherland, Scott Campbell,
Ron West, Spencer Lewis, Sarah Blair, Susannah Blachly,
Franklin Heyburn, John Mowad, Neill Rossi, Andy T. Stewart with Mary Jo Slattery,
Sarah Hotchkiss, Roger Perrault, and David Kaynor (in order of
performance.) We have also featured one of Vermont's finest
Highland pipers, Ian Mac Harg, Pipe Major of the
Montpelier based Catamount Pipe Band.
Since this is a
training orchestra, there is a small fee per session
(currently $75, $65 for the summer session). Other
intermediate level players on instruments such as
guitars, mandolins, banjos, accordions, flutes, penny
whistles, bass, and folk percussion are welcome as well,
though spaces are limited. Please contact
Sarah Hotchkiss to find out if
there is room. Unlimited fiddlers, violists, and
cellists welcomed!
The Vermont
Fiddle Orchestra is truly the "People's Orchestra" in that no audition is required for fiddles, violas,
cellos, or basses and players of all levels are welcome.
Some of our members begin after less than a year
of training, and some of our players are frequent
winners at fiddle contests.
So dust off your fiddle (or rent or buy one
locally!) and join us!
There is no limit to the number of fiddles
allowed - the more the merrier!
Vermont Fiddle Orchestra
PO Box 806, Montpelier, VT 05601
1-877-FIDDLE-1 (1-877-343-3531)
Email: info (at)
vtfiddleorchestra.org
(retype with the @ symbol to reach us)
...or contact one of the officers directly:
Kenric Kite, President
John Mowad, Vice-President
Sarah Hotchkiss, Artistic Director
Joanne Puente, Manager
The Vermont Fiddle Orchestra, Billings Farm 25th Anniversary, 2008 