Other opportunities to play music, tips from our directors, photos, and more
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.
In The News
Greenfield Recorder article January 2019 about David Kaynor, our first director
Hampshire Gazette Article October 2018 about the Fiddle Orchestra
Other opportunities to play music–All affected by COVID these days
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 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
Arcadia Traditional Music Festival held in June at the College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, Maine
Boston Harbor Scottish Fiddle School a week in August
Maine Fiddle Camp — June and August Camp — weeks and weekends
Music Camps North – Mandolin and Banjo camps held in April and May in Charlton, Massachusetts
Northeast Heritage Music Camp five days in June, in Starksboro, Vermont
Other Fiddle Orchestras
Fiddle-icious in Falmouth, Maine
Vermont Fiddle Orchestra in Montpelier, VT
Pioneer Valley Fiddlers in Westfield, MA – you can find them on Facebook