Parlez-vous Francais? (and more from Genticorum's concert)

We go to see different bands where there is usually a fiddler or the music is similar to what we learn.  These concerts have been great.  I especially enjoyed going to see Genticorum, a French-Canadian band.  The musicians were fantastic!  I loved the fiddler, Pascal.  He was extremely talented, playing the fiddle, tapping his feet, and singing at the same time!  It's fun to hear different styles of fiddle music, and to learn from these musicians. -Jessie, RIFP student, 12/10/12

"I can't wait to see my daughter playing like that!"-RIFP parent, 12/1/12

Here's some of what we got to see at Lily Pads' Genticorum concert last weekend - and we had the honor of sitting right up front (28 of us, students and parents alike!).

"Everything was great, and the most important part for me was I didn't know they spoke French.  I'm so happy that I came!" - Fiddle Project parent, 12/1/12

The band, realizing they were getting some responses to their initial French greetings to the audience, began bantering back and forth almost immediately from the stage with some of our students' Haitian family members.  It was a really a beautiful and surprising connection to see, and these families (students included) were able to understand even more of what was going on during the French songs.  Later on, these parents were the ones who helped lead two standing ovations for the band.  -Rachel

Thank you to David Floyd and everyone who made this memorable trip possible.

November dance photos

Thanks to Bobbie Hunger for her photography!

Genticorum trip coming up

On Saturday, RI Fiddle Project students and parents will head down to Music at Lily Pads in Peace Dale, RI to see Genticorum!  What a treat that these guys are coming to Rhode Island and that we'll get to see them. 

We'd like to second the thank yous to the following businesses and organizations who have helped to support this concert and made it possible for our students and parents to attend!

Steve Beekman at Beekman Violins

Alternative Food Co-op 

South County Hospital

RI State Council on the Arts

More about the concert is here!

Checking out the cello...

Adrienne Taylor came to visit RI Fiddle Project's group class last week for a workshop with her cello.  Students took turns playing duets with the cello and Adrienne talked about how she figures out what to play for songs she's never heard before!  These are skills we're working on all the time.  The photos are from our final tune together.  
(Dance photos coming soon...)

Today's the day!

Today's the day for our Community Dance  at Everett!  Come join us at our all-ages dance from 2-4pm.  All dances will be called by Sue Rosen. Our dance band includes all piano, cello, fiddles, percussion & didgeridoo! 

9 Duncan Ave, by Action Auto Parts, off North Main Street, Providence, RI.

My visit to Rhode Island Fiddle Project

Jessie Berne, a multi-instrumentalist and Sistema Fellow at New England Conservatory, spent some time with us this month getting to know RI Fiddle Project, and sharing her love of music and dance, as well.  Here she is joining in on guitar -- and here are her thoughts on her visits!

After spending several days at Woodlawn Community Center meeting all the members of Rhode Island Fiddle Project, the teachers, the kids, and a few of the center's staff, I am filled to the brim with enthusiasm and inspiration to enter this same field of work!

Since September, I have been attending New England Conservatory as a Sistema Fellow, part of a post graduate program that is designed to teach us (there are 10 of us total) the ins and outs of developing non-profit programs that provide free after school music education specifically in regions where it's lacking.

Because of my background in folk music, I was especially drawn to Rachel's program and eager to see first hand how she has been so successful in maintaining her members (with the intent of growing the program to include the 35 students already on the waiting list), and inspiring youth to love playing the fiddle.

My first day in Pawtucket, I met Fiddler-in-Residence and teacher, Michelle Kaminsky, and had the pleasure of sitting in on her lessons with the kids. This was a real treat. I got to see her encouraging the more experienced kids in helping the newer ones, and noticed they were already comfortable with peer teaching. This was evident throughout my entire time there, and is an approach to teaching that we all believe is incredibly valuable for building leadership skills.

Because that day was unique with another Fellow visiting from Community MusicWorks in Providence, we were able to spontaneously form a real jam circle where the kids had the chance to play a critical role in the band setting, complete with guitar accompaniment and two other lead fiddle parts. There were smiles and excitement going around as we threw a couple new upbeat tunes at them. After hearing a particular melody and rhythm, these two astute young girls picked out the part they wanted to learn, and in just a blink of an eye, they were playing along and not wanting to stop! What fun we had!

I then saw Rachel lead a group class where she taught the beginning of a fiddle tune. They all were focused and able to pick up the tune with ease. The more time I spent with the kids, the more I was impressed by the amount and variety of tunes they knew. They were learning classical, pop, old-time, and Cajun melodies, and were quick to learn new ones.

I quickly realized that because the teachers have such passion for sharing their love of music, and folk music specifically, the students are engaged, determined, excited, and always wanting to come back for more. The Fiddle Project provides a supportive environment with teachers who have a true love of the kids.

I felt a very warm welcome from everyone there, and that they are open to meeting new people, learning from them, and flexible in trying new things. I can't wait to come back and visit again, hopefully for the next big dance event!

Thank you to the Fiddle Project for having me as your guest and teaching me so much. We will see each other soon!

With love,

Jessie Rose Berne

NEC Sistema Fellow

Inspired!

"Inspired" was a word we heard a lot from students as we were getting ready to leave Common Fence Music after a fabulous concert by April Verch and her band. 






That, along with:
 "I liked everything! The dancing, the playing, the singing..."
"How does she remember all those things?"




We had a packed afternoon which started with a workshop with April, a walk down to the water at Common Fence Point, lots of group games, and concluding with the best seats in the house for her concert (front row on the floor!)

Thanks to April and her Band, to everyone at Common Fence who helped to make this happen, and to those who helped us get to Portsmouth and back again!