introduction
and
description
THE CONSERVATORY FIDDLES is a group of up to fifty fiddlers and various other instrumentalists drawn together by the LOVE OF FIDDLE TUNES and FIDDLING FOR FUN. The fiddle orchestra is made up of players aged from seven to eighty-seven and performs regularly for festive occasions and celebrations in the community.
This folk-fiddling ensemble under the direction of CALVIN CAIRNS, is associated with The Victoria Conservatory Of Music, in the city of Victoria, B.C. on the west coast of Canada. The Fiddle Orchestra is divided into several smaller groups of six to ten players at the same general technical level to maximize musical momentum. These groups meet for one hour once a week and learn the same basic repertoire. The more advanced groups study basic harmonization and a bit of improvisation along with a more challenging repertoire. THE DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN for new members to join. You can sit in on a class or two at any time during the year to try it out. If you read music it is easy to catch up on the basic performance repertoire. These fiddle tunes have been passed along over the generations because the timeless melodies within them are easily learned and memorized and fun to play.
Our association with THE VICTORIA CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC ensures that good violin technique is an integral part of the program. We draw on the time-honored traditions of string ensemble playing and the high-spirited, individualistic joy of fiddling to round out our approach to the group performance.
All players of all ages and levels are welcome to join the Conservatory Fiddles. The group provides a really FRIENDLY AND SUPPORTIVE atmosphere to share a few tunes and keep moving forward musically. To join, you need only to be near the end of Suzuki Book 1 or able to play a handful of fiddle tunes. BEGINNERS with an average aptitude for learning music should be ready to join the group lessons after six to ten months of private instruction. Reading music is not a prerequisite but can be helpful as notation for all the tunes is provided. We do two sessions of 16 lessons each for a total of 32 between September and May. You will learn twenty to sixty tunes in that time depending on your level. The Conservatory Fiddles play an average of six public performances with the full ensemble in that same time frame. Participation in these public performances is highly encouraged but not mandatory.
See the Conservatory website for complete information on how to join and register or feel free to contact Calvin directly with any inquiries.
Click here for a brief history of the conservatory fiddles.
