March 27, 2008 issue
Strawberry Hill Fiddlers Offer Workshop, Concert April 13
Story by Celeste von Mangan
The weekend of April 12 and 13 should prove to be a lively one in Boone when the Strawberry Hill Fiddlers make their way from New York State to the mountains of North Carolina. During their whirlwind stay here, the group—consisting of young people ages 13 to 17—will teach workshops, perform concerts and squeeze in some sightseeing. To further enhance their cultural experience in the southern Appalachians, the Strawberry Hill Fiddlers will stay with local host families involved in the Watauga County Arts Council Junior Appalachian Musician program.
On Saturday, April 12, the group will appear at a contra dance at the Apple Barn in Valle Crucis at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults and $3 for children. Hay for Three will provide the music for the dance, and the Strawberry Hill Fiddlers will perform during intermission.
On Sunday, April 13, the popular local group the Forget-Me-Nots will perform at 3:30 p.m. at ASU’s I.G. Greer Auditorium, followed by a workshop taught by the Strawberry Hill Fiddlers at 4:00 p.m. The public is invited to bring their fiddles for the workshop. The Strawberry Hill Fiddlers then return to give a concert at 7:00 p.m. in I.G. Greer Auditorium. The workshop and concert are free, but you must preregister for the workshop by sending an email to Emily Schaad at es79586@appstate.edu.
The group will hold workshops on Monday, April 15, for area elementary and high school students, culminating in a concert at Watauga High School.
One purpose of the workshops is to augment the Junior Appalachian Musicians lesson schedule. Every week, students of fiddle, banjo, guitar and dulcimer in grades kindergarten through high school meet on Thursday evenings at the Jones House where they learn to play traditional Appalachian music. The North Carolina Arts Council funds the program directed by folklorist Mark Freed. Other groups invited to the workshops include the high school orchestra students, ASU Symphony String players, ASU Community Music School players and ASU’s Appalachian Strings class members.
To finance their trip south, the Strawberry Hill Fiddlers had to be creative.
“The kids are paying for the trip,” said Emily Schaad, co-director of the Strawberry Hill Fiddlers. “They did some fundraising, including lots of gigs—performing at a barn party, a local Irish pub/restaurant and some concerts. We take our students on a trip each year. Last year we toured Scotland; in the past we have been to Kansas City, Minneapolis and Rochester, New York. We try to include some local traditional music experiences—in this case a flat footing workshop, a fiddle workshop and a contra dance, as well as some sightseeing at Grandfather Mountain. The public is invited to the workshops on Sunday; however, they need to sign up—an email to me is fine. Because of the unusual setup, we will need to organize in advance.”
Schaad continued, “The trips are designed as a social bonding experience within the group, as well as a chance to get out into a new community and share experiences with people we don’t know. The homestays, workshops and Watauga High School events will be a special way for our fiddlers to connect with their peers in the area.”
Carole Schaad is the other director of the Strawberry Hill Fiddlers. The group meets weekly on their home turf in Dutchess County, New York. The 18 musicians play folk music, including Appalachian, Cajun, country-western and Scandinavian. Their new CD is Evolution.
Michael Champagne, Samantha Chestney, Brandon Codrington, Angus Davidson, Ella Davidson, Leslie deLeeuw, Sophie Dolamore, Rebecca Duvall, Chelsea Hadden, Kirsten Hoops, Silvija Kristapsons, Talija Kristapsons, Stephen Minor, Lyssa Pelton, Isabella Quines, Brian Sennett, Jessica Susser and Jean Vilkelis are the Strawberry Hill Fiddlers.
Strawberry Hill Fiddlers Public Schedule
High Country residents will have the opportunity to hear the Strawberry Hill Fiddlers on Saturday and Sunday, April 12 and 13.
Saturday, April 12: Strawberry Hill Fiddlers will play during intermission at a contra dance at the Apple Barn in Valle Crucis, 7:30 p.m. $7 adults/$3 children
Sunday, April 13: Performance by the Forget-Me-Nots at 3:30 p.m.; Strawberry Hill Fiddlers workshop at 4:00 p.m.; concert at 7:00 p.m.—all in I.G. Greer Auditorium at ASU, and all free
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