The Calgary Fiddlers Association is a non-profit, charitable organization celebrating its 35th Anniversity during 2017.

CFA Mandate: To preserve, promote and perform all types of fiddling, with a particular emphasis on Canadian styles.

• Why?
  Fiddling is an old art which emerged in 10th century Europe and has traditionally been passed down from generation to generation. This folk music has played an important and integral part in the cultural fabric of many nations, as well as Canada. For a time (not so long ago), there was an inherent risk the fiddle tradition was dying out. Our aim is to provide as many opportunities as possible for youth to continue the tradition of fiddling, or to be exposed to it, within Calgary and area.

CFA Mission: Through the art of Canadian fiddle music, we motivate, educate, and inspire children to develop musically and socially.

• Why? The Calgary Fiddlers Association emerged from the classical violin program at Mount Royal Conservatory of Music in 1981. At that time, Dr. Norman Burgess was the Director of the Conservatory and his passion for innovation, creativity and excellence led him to create the Calgary Fiddlers program for young classically trained musicians. He loved classical violin and he LOVED to fiddle (his two worlds collided to create something VERY special). Our very unique programs motivate, educate and inspire classically trained youth to embrace classically-inspired fiddle music while making life-long friends.

CFA Vision: To develop life skills in our young students such as leadership, confidence, discipline, and time management, and an appreciation for the Canadian heritage of folk fiddling; all acquired with exposure to local and international performance experiences, while promoting and preserving the art of fiddle music.

• Why? In addition to providing a rich musical education setting, the Association provides over 100 performance opportunities each year to young students. Performing allows our youth to develop essential skills that help them become amazing citizens within their community. They share toe-tapping fiddle culture and music with all ages in schools, seniors facilities, emergency shelters, conventions, malls and are ambassadors for Calgary, Alberta and Canada wherever they go.

HIGHLIGHTS (2015-2016):

Despite the downturn during our latter fiscal year performance opportunities remaining steady. The Calgary Fiddlers were invited to perform at more conferences and conventions in Banff and Lake Louise which allowed us to have solid revenue. Additionally, we had a regular contract with Tauck Tours International for opportunities to perform at Heritage Park for their tourists approximately 20 times during the summer months.

• 70 Students enrolled for 2016-2017 (54 Bow Valley Fiddlers* and 16 Calgary Fiddlers)
• 59 Students enrolled for 2015-2016 (44 Bow Valley Fiddlers* and 15 Calgary Fiddlers)
• 400 Attendees at December 2015 Fiddle Fantasia presentation at the University Theatre
• 320 Attendees at March 2016 Barn Dance at the Thorncliffe Greenview Community Hall
• 300 Attendees at May 2016 two-hour show at the Ironwood Stage & Grill

* Bow Valley Fiddlers is large as it accepts fiddle students (ages 6-18) who want to learn to fiddle and do some performing throughout the year. Once our students turn 13 there is the option to audition for the Calgary Fiddlers.  The Calgary Fiddlers is a HUGE commitment, so if students have other activities and just want to fiddle for fun while skiing, playing hockey, etc…they just continue on in our in our highest level Bow Valley Fiddlers group. 

COMMUNITY IMPACT:

• Our educational program offers young classical violin students of varying abilities new opportunitities to learn various styles of fiddling, and are also given opportunities to perform in the Calgary and area communities.
• Like many Canadians, we were moved by the hardship, heartbreak and chaos affecting the displaced Fort McMurray individuals and families. In May 2016, we hosted a free benefit concert “Fiddles for Food” to raise money for those affected by this tremendous wildfire.
• We offer opportunities for over 150 volunteers each year who wish to participate in our events and give back to the community.

“First of all they’re good, they’re very, very good. And they bring a bit of Calgary magic with them. To me they represent what Calgary is all about. They represent the entrepreneurial spirit, the free enterprise spirit, they represent culture and art. They represent everything that is good about this city.”               – Ralph KleinThe Calgary Fiddlers

Since the formation of The Calgary Fiddlers in 1981, this highly skilled group of amateur musicians, ranging from 14 to 18 years of age, has performed for live audiences, television and radio broadcasts, and concert tours. Over the years, the group has toured extensively throughout such places as Spain, France, Scotland & Ireland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Florida, Kansas, Iowa, Montana,Wyoming, Minnesota and Hawaii. They were chosen as ambassadors of Alberta for centennial celebrations in Ottawa, where they performed with the National Art Centre Orchestra in May 2005. They have been sent by the Alberta and Canadian Governments as ambassadors to Korea, Los Angeles, Monte Carlo and Monaco, and New York City. The Fiddlers have also had the privilege of performing for dignitaries such as H.S.H. Prince Albert of Monaco,former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the President of Yemen and His Holiness the fourteenth Dali Lama. Recent notable appearances include the opening of the “Live with Kelly” show in Banff, AB and a feature spot on the Australia TODAY show, filmed in Lake Louise.

The Bow Valley Fiddlers

The Bow Valley Fiddlers, created in 1995, is a division of The Calgary Fiddlers Association and although they are separate and distinct from The Calgary Fiddlers division, both groups fall under the same association.  Bow Valley Fiddlers (ages 13-18 years of age) aspiring to dedicate more time to fiddling and performing; many audition to be members of the The Calgary Fiddlers. To see these fiddlers at the Calgary International Children’s Festival, click here.

Our Programs. How do we do it?

Weekly Rehearsals

There are currently a total of 5 fiddle groups that meet weekly to learn fiddle tunes and accompanying choreography.  Fiddling in an ensemble setting emphasizes listening skills, timing and teamwork.

One-on-one Coaching

Each fiddle student meets with fiddle instructors for several one-on-one coaching sessions each semester to learn the bowing techniques and timing unique to the fiddle genre.

Workshops

Intensive fiddle workshop weekends are offered to fiddle students twice per year. Clinicians are brought in to work with our students on dancing, choreography, public speaking, percussion and fiddling. On occasion. there are opportunities for our students to work with fiddle great such as Natalie MacMaster, Gordon Stobbe, Daniel Gervais and Ben Plotnick.

Touring Opportunities

Each year, our fiddlers have opportunities to perform either provincially, nationally and internationally. We feel touring is an integral addition to our programming. It allows our students to perform several full shows in culturally unique communities and countries. This opens their eyes to how others live, and to view the world in a musical context. The people and youth they meet on these tours also helps them to forge life-long relationships.

Community Outreach Programs

1) Healing Through Music

In 2016, the Calgary Fiddlers Association implemented a unique outreach program to help meet the emotional needs of the community. These specialized performances are designed to improve mood and mobility, relieve anxiety, stress and depression, and enhance concentration and creativity through live interactive shows. Those living in seniors’ facilities, hospitals, hospices and temporary living facilities such as Inn From the Cold, and organizations empowering youth with disabilities are the greatest beneficiaries.

2) Spread Fiddle Music

In 2012, as part of our 30th Anniversary year, the Association began the Spread Fiddle Music initiative. The primary goal of this initiative is to share fiddle music (and the love of music, in general) within school settings, and to inspire young students to take up a musical instrument of any kind.  We also focus on the many diverse fiddle genres, and provide interactive opportunities for students to play the spoons, shakers, learn some traditional fiddle dances and to hold a violin.The Calgary Fiddlers Association is always seeking sponsors, donors and in-kind contributions to help stretch our budget.

Financial Bursaries: Support a fiddler in need!

• $550-$2000 can help one of students pay for a whole year of fiddle programming (group rehearsals, one-on-one coaching, 2 fiddle camps, costumes and photo keepsake).

Each year, we have students whose families are unable to meet the financial commitment of being in our program due to job loss, illness, work-related accidents and family separation/divorce. Your donation can help to make a child’s dream to fiddle, come true!

Donations: Help cover the costs associated with running our program:

• New arrangements – $1000 helps hire professionals to create one new fiddle tune yearly.
• Uniform expenses – $2500 helps make new outfits and maintain older ones each year.
• Guest clinicians – $3000 can help us to bring in several guest clinicians each year.
• Concert venue rentals – $5,400 can help us to rent concert venues for one year.
• Vehicle costs – $10,000 can help with all vehicle costs each year.
• Vehicle costs – $11,000 can help pay off our gear van loan.
• Rehearsal space rental – $11,025 can help us to rent rehearsal space for one year.
• Sound gear upgrades – $20,500 can help us to upgrade our old sound gear.
• Teaching costs – $60,000 helps pay for rehearsals and individual teaching for a full year.

​Event/Program Sponsorships: For as little as $1000, you could help sponsor a concert or special event.

We would love to have more corporate sponsors who wish to support a cultural, youth, arts organization who provides fun-filled, well-attended musical events, and provides impactful and interactive outreach programs to the community such as Healing Through Music and Spread Fiddle Music.

In-Kind Donations: Each year we hold a Fiddle Art Auction to help raise money towards our Tour Fund and our Legacy Fund. Local artists kindly donate their time to create amazing fiddle art pieces. We are always looking for new artists to showcase and old unplayable fiddle donations. In addition, we would welcome in-kind donations of services for web design and IT support.

Volunteers: Each year we need more than 100 volunteers who dedicate approximately 1,500 hours of time each year to help with events and workshops. Volunteers are essential to our operation. With hundreds of performances each year, we couldn’t succeed without you!

Board Members: We are always accepting applications from individuals passionate about youth, music and the arts. Our board members bring legal, fundraising, marketing, business and financial strengths to the table and are dedicated to finding new sources of funding for our organziation. Our members also ensure strong governance so we may continue to make strong contributions to youth music development and to the local arts community as a whole.