A dozen teenage fiddlers are bound for Ireland this July. This trip has been a long time coming – other exchange visits with youthful fiddle groups and proposed trips to Scotland have fallen through, but this time the tickets have been bought and the musicians are fiddling up a storm to help pay for it.
The 12 musicians are part of a larger group, Bad to the Bow, about 30 teens from ages 13 to 17 who in turn are part of the larger Coast String Fiddlers Association (CSF) that has taught, mentored and encouraged young musicians for years now.
The dozen who are going to Ireland were in fine form at Persephone Brewing Company (aka The Beer Farm) last Sunday, playing a selection of instrumentals in non-stop fashion and with the addition of cello and piano, helping to raise the last $3,000 that is needed for the trip. They are the senior players – some of them will graduate this year, and most will go on with music in some fashion in their lives.
It was easy to see from the energy of the crowd enjoying the craft beer and snacks that the kids had many fans and much support from the public. President of the CSF association Fred Mason explained how the last major fundraising effort went toward Bad to the Bow’s 2012 recording, The Joy of It. He’s proud of them, especially the way the little ones have continued on; they grow up and become mature performers – in fact, the association is now on its third generation of fiddlers since it began in 1993.
“There’s an amazing continuity with these groups,” Mason said.
Why Ireland? “We want to soak up the Irish culture,” said one young musician, adding that he had family there. They will take three days for workshops at a fiddle camp in a small town in mid-Ireland and will also perform in pubs there, an Irish tradition. Several parent chaperones will be along to ensure that the underage won’t sample the Guinness.
Although the players have learned repertoire from many countries, the kids were clear that they preferred the Canadian music and they will share their tunes with Irish musicians.
“We hope to come back playing Irish tunes,” said one young woman.
The larger group of Bad to the Bow will be performing at Earth Day this Sunday at 2 p.m. in Roberts Creek.
