Article updated June 27, 2018 by Dave Read
The 1st Annual Northeast Fiddlers Convention convened on June 9, 2018 at Hancock Shaker Village, a co-production with Oldtone, amounting to the most apt pairing of venue and event, especially given the critical role played by music and movement in Shaker life. Dates for the 2nd annual have just been announced – Saturday & Sunday, June 8 & 9, 2019. (Details to follow)
Next year, we’ll assign the 2nd annual convention to someone who can distinguish the sound of a steel guitar and a dobro from fifty paces, and post some discussion about the music played during the event. Meantime, we’re delighted to announce the winners and to show you some pictures from this year’s event.
Prize winners from the Northeast Fiddlers’ Convention at Hancock Shaker Village
Fiddle
1) Ambrose Verdibella
2) Sarah Michel, Southhampton, MA
3) Patrick Peters, New Lebanon, NY
Guitar
1) G. Rockwell, Bridgeport, CT
2) Norman Plankey, Oxford, CT
3) Mat Cherkus, Collinsville, CT
Mandolin
1) John Benjamin, Brattleboro, VT
2) Ambrose Verdibello
3) Norman Plankey, Oxford, CT
Banjo
1) Maggie Shar, Easthampton, MA
2) G Rockwell, Bridgeport, CT
3) Andy Lundeen, Cornwall Bridge, CT
Old-time music in the Berkshires?
From the organizers:Oldtone and Hancock Shaker Village aspire to create a beacon in the Berkshires for Old-time enthusiasts. The first-ever Northeast Fiddlers’ Convention is inspired by the great Southern Old-time music conventions. Participants are invited to jam, learn, compete, eat, dance and celebrate together in an atmosphere of participation. We envision a new annual tradition in the preservation of the rich Old-Time music culture in the Northeast.
This year’s convention features instrument and historical workshops by Bill & the Belles, Nils Fredland, and Tara Linhardt. We are offering picking & singing in the historic round stone barn, instrument contests, jamming, and a square dance with live music from Bill and the Belles, one of the most popular roots bands on the scene today. The Square Dance will be called by renown caller and the Artistic Director of Revels North; Nils Fredland. Historic demonstrations available all day from Hancock Shaker Village.
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2018 Tanglewood schedule
The 2018 Tanglewood schedulefeatures a season-long celebration of the centennial of Leonard’s Bernstein’s birth, culminating in the Aug. 25 Bernstein Centennial Celebration hosted by Audra McDonald, with Maestro Andris Nelsons, four guest conductors and soloists Yo-Yo Ma, Midori, and others.