Fiddle Orchestra of Western Mass

Located in downtown Northampton

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The Orchestra is an affiliate of the Country Dance and Song Society

The Orchestra has a Facebook page–so orchestra members can post photos, comments, information about other musical events in the Valley, and share information easily with friends.

Notes — Backup Tracks–fbbts.com — website of free backup tracks, fun for practice. Julia Plumb’s website — If you aren’t familiar with her or her website you should really check it out  https://freefiddlelessons.com/  She’s a fantastic fiddler and great music educator.  She also plays with Baron Collins-Hill — His website http://www.mandolessons.com/ is a tremendous resource.

Other opportunities to play music

  • Quebecois Sessions at the Rendezvous in Turners Falls–Friendly welcoming sessions, Second Sundays, 3:00-6:00. More information on Facebook.
  • Various Monthly Sessions at McNeill’s Brewery in Brattleboro
  • Lower Valley Irish Slow Session A twice-monthly Irish tune-learning session in Holyoke, MA
  • Fiddler’s Green Contra Dance in South Amherst A very welcoming dance that is also an opportunity for musicians who want to learn more about traditional dance music. Musicians of all levels are welcome to take a seat onstage and join in. For information call 413-461-0445. You can also find Fiddler’s Green on Facebook.
  • Shelburne Falls Session – at McCusker’s Market on the first and third Sundays of each month, 10:30a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Contact Deborah Stevens for more information (or talk with her at a FOWM rehearsal)
  • Open Sessions at the Root Cellar in Greenfield (10 Fiske Avenue) second and fourth Saturdays of the month from 3-6pm — NE contra, Old Time, Irish, Scottish……  Contact FOWM member Desi Lowit for more information.
  • Parlor Room Sessions (in Northampton) usually held January and February of each year. Sunday evening music followed by jamming with the band.
  • Fiddle HellFiddle Hell  – one weekend a year in November, hundreds of workshops for all levels, held in Westford, MA.
  • Northern Roots Traditional Music Festival in Brattleboro, Vermont, held one weekend a year in January. Keith Murphy, Director. At the Brattleboro Music Center. This celebration brings together local and regional musicians representing the best of various northern musical traditions.
  • Annual Montague May Day Celebration – Ask Annika what that’s about!
  • Old Post Road Orchestra – An orchestral group based in Wilbraham, MA. You can also find them on Facebook

Music Camps

Other Fiddle Orchestras in the vicinity