The Fiddle History of Canada concert with noted Canadian fiddler Gordon Stobbe and the Cariboo Chilcotin Youth Fiddle group is coming to the lakecity this weekend.
The concert takes place in the Gibraltar Room, Saturday, May 10 starting at 7 p.m.
Have you ever wondered how the fiddle has shaped Canada’s history?
The fiddle tells a unique story of Canada—how fiddle music first came to our country in the late 1600s with immigrants, was adopted by First Nations people, and spread across the country, contributing to our present day cultural mosaic.
This intriguing story told in the Fiddle History of Canada concert is arranged by Canadian master musician Gordon Stobbe who has been leading workshops with local fiddlers since 2012.
“Be prepared for 40 amazing musicians aged seven to 17 telling the story of Canada through fiddles, guitars, pianos, drums, singing, costumes and dance,” says club spokesperson Angela Manning.
Stobbe first developed the Fiddle History of Canada in 2010 in collaboration with Leslie Jean MacMillan, musical director of the Valley Youth Fiddlers, in Smithers.
By 2012 the production was arranged by Stobbe and performed by the Valley Youth Fiddlers to rave reviews.
Soon after that, with help from lakecity parents, supportive business groups and local violin teacher Ingrid Johnston the Cariboo Chilcotin Youth Fiddle Society started the The Fiddle History of Canada music program in Williams Lake.
The program began with workshops lead by Stobbe and supported by other amazing musicians including JJ Guy, Ivonne Hernandez, The Fretless and guitarist Doug Bourdon.
“As the instructors are brought into the community from other parts of B.C. and Canada to partner with our local teacher, Ingrid, the workshops run in one week intervals with Ingrid working with the kids in monthly practices in between visits,” Manning says. Tickets are available at Cariboo GM and Open Book.