Fiddle Fans Enjoy A Final Holiday Hurrah

Jan 08, 2014

Fans of fiddle tunes got more than an earful of the tunes they love best courtesy of the Blue Skies and Celtic Heritage Fiddle Orchestras, who performed an exceptionally diverse and eclectic concert on January 5 to close out the holiday season and herald in the New Year.

The event was the 14th annual concert presented by Blue Skies in the Community and the only notable upset, other than a last minute cancellation by the piano accompanist due to illness, was a snow storm that kept at bay the usual standing room only crowd. However the crowd in attendance was still sizable. The concert, which was emceed by Linda Grenier of Long Sault Trio fame, opened with two tunes performed by the Blue Skies Prep Orchestra, under the direction of Cindy McCall. The Prep Orchestra includes players of all ages who spend a year or two learning the basics before being invited into the Blue Skies main orchestra. The beginners tackled two Christmas carols and demonstrated that they too will soon be joining their mentors on the main stage.

See The Annual Blue Skies Christmas Concert on YouTube

Next up under the direction of Carolyn Stewart was a performance by members of the Celtic Heritage Fiddle Orchestra, who come from such far-away places as Hopetown, Ottawa, Perth, Lanark, Bennett and Sharbot lakes, McDonalds Corners and Rideau Ferry. The orchestra performed an exceptionally diverse repertoire, all personal favorites chosen by individuals from the group, which included "Logging Camp Christmas" with Dave Tilston performing a top-notch solo-voiced lead.

Carolyn invited the audience to dance a polka for the festive Mexican tune titled "Puer Es Nada", a dreamy, tropical, musical yearning for southern climes. The group played a never recorded tune written by Django Reinhart titled "Chez Jaquet", which offered up his characteristic swooping melody line that always sounds as sad as it does sweet. Others included tunes chosen by Gary Glover that likely inspired Led Zepplin's chart topper "Stairway to Heaven" as well as Jaffe Sullivan's choice of the Dardanelles who hail from Newfoundland. Of course there were a few Christmas classics thrown into the mix and the addition of penny whistle, the musical saw, drums and guitars made for a very memorable portion of the concert.

Following an intermission of sweet snacking courtesy of the fiddlers, Cindy McCall took to the podium to lead the Blue Skies Fiddle Orchestra in a selection of tunes that included classic reels, jigs and carols. Cindy was handed the Blue Skies reins from Carolyn Stewart four years ago and once again demonstrated why she was an appropriate choice to lead the orchestra. The orchestra opened with "Val's Dream", a long time favorite that was played with prowess and charm. Other selections included "Springfield", a tune by Canadian-born fiddler and composer Erin Marshall that included a beautiful banjo and single fiddle opening.

Orchestra members were given ample opportunities to sing, as they did in the female/male back and forth banter of S'vivon where Kim Angel demonstrated her talents on that wonderfully eerie instrument that actually is (I think) a saw. In "La Marmotteuse" and "Reel Beatrice" the orchestra demonstrated their ability to perform what McCall terms double stumping, a challenging technique equally as demanding as the tune's many key changes.

The group showed their seamless playing in the slow dirge of the "Breton Carol" and two young fiddlers in the group had a chance to show their drumming finesse in the "Galician Carol".

The annual concert never fails to end on a community high note and for the finale the prep and main orchestras joined forces to perform "Deck the Halls" and "Silent Night", with Linda Grenier leading the verses as the whole audience was invited to join in. The Blue Skies Orchestra are always looking for new members. For more information contact Cindy McCall at 613-278-2448 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.