Nationally acclaimed Canadian fiddler Calvin Vollrath will be in concert with Mark Sullivan (fiddle/guitar) and Trent Freeman (fiddle/mandolin) from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Nov. 12 in the Thompson Rivers University gym in Williams Lake.
Among his many accolades Vollrath composed the fiddle music for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and Whistler. He was commissioned to compose five fiddle tunes for the opening ceremonies.
A musical prodigy from a young age, Vollrath has composed more than 400 tunes, many of which have become standard contest and dance tunes across North America and Europe.
He has more than 50 albums to his credit, numerous music books of his original tunes and an instructional DVD.
Since participating in the 2000 World Music Expo (WOMEX) in Berlin Germany, he has toured several European countries and served as musical director for Hank Smith’s band on his European tour from 1994-1996. In July 2006, he was selected as one of 10 performers to represent Alberta at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington DC.
He has recorded with Ian Tyson, Colleen Peterson and Laura Vinson to name a few and is recognized for his performing, teaching, judging and composing abilities.
He is a pleasure to watch and his love for music is contagious and can bring audiences to their feet dancing.
Raised on Don Messer’s Jubilee he received his first fiddle at age eight. At 13, he entered his first fiddle contest and at the age of 17, he was already winning the championship class.
He was twice crowned the Grand North American Old Tyme Fiddle Champion.
He also wrote the theme for the international fiddle convention Fiddles of the World, held in Halifax N.S. in July 1999.
Vollrath teaches annually at the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Camp in Ottawa since its inception in 1996. He also teaches at numerous workshops throughout Canada and the United States. 2007 saw the inaugural Calvin Vollrath Fiddle Camp. In August 2005, Vollrath received the Lifetime Achievement Award from The Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Championship, in recognition and appreciation of his outstanding contribution to old time fiddling. For his contribution, support and dedicated years of promoting and playing country music, Vollrath was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Alberta Men of Country Music (AMOCM) in 2007 and the Bev Munro Award in 2009, sponsored by the Association of Canadian Country Music Legends.
He produces recordings for fiddlers from across the country in his home studio in St. Paul, Alberta and is in demand as a studio musician for various Canadian artists and film and television productions.
His work can be heard on the documentary Alberta, Wild Rose Country and APTN’s Hank William’s First Nations.
He has appeared on many television shows including CTV’s Sun Country and Number 1 West.
He was also music director for CBC’s Native Nashville North. CBC’s Adrienne Clarkson Presents aired a documentary on Métis fiddle music featuring Calvin Vollrath and John Arcand.
Concert tickets are $20 in advance. Children under 12 accompanied by an adult are free.
Tickets may be purchased at TRU’s main office or at Cariboo GM 250-392-7185.
The Cariboo Chilcotin Metis Association will be hosting a free community dinner at St. Andrew’s United Church from 5:30 to 7 p.m. to kick off the concert.