Junior Fiddlers
The Washington Old Time Fiddlers encourages young people to try their hand at fiddling in the old time style. Funds raised by some districts help pay for eligible children to attend the summer workshop. In fact, approximately one third of the Kittitas workshop attendees have been children! Several districts also offer classes for youth when there is interest and an available teacher (for example, see District 3 on our Districts page). Our state contest also offers an opportunity for several categories of youth to compete against their peers.
There are children within the Washington Old Time Fiddlers who are lucky to come from "musical" families. Just as prevalent in WOTFA are children who have led their parents into the world of old time music because of their youthful talent and enthusiasm.
Children are the future of old time music!
The Kittitas Workshop
Kids of all ages flocked to our annual 5-day workshop; in fact, about a third of those attending have been youth for the past several years! The annual Kittitas Workshop occurred from August 2 - 6 this year and was a prime opportunity for youth to learn how to fiddle (or play the backup guitar or mandolin). Next year's Workshop wil be August 1-5; so, mark your calendars now for early April, when you can apply. It's a family camp-out opportunity, and the prices are kept affordable. When kids aren't in class, they can be found playing barefoot soccer, flying kites in the fabulous wind, jamming, or square dancing. Oh, there's also lots of pie and ice cream each night, sold by the parents of kids who go to the Kittitas School. Please see the Workshop page for more information.
WOTFA at The WHO - June 18 & 19th, 2010
WOTFA members spent two days jamming at the WHO Convention. That's the Washington Homeschooling Organization (WHO) Convention, held the 3rd Friday and Saturday of June at the Puyallup Fair & Events Center. The WOTFA had a booth both days. Families visiting the convention stopped in with their instruments (or borrowed one from one of the WOTFA members) and joined in the jam. We got a positive reception to our organization and old time music and handed out a lot of information about the upcoming workshop, district events, and fiddling resources. The WHO Convention attracts attendees from as far away as Montana and Idaho. For more information, please see the WHO Website: http://www.washhomeschool.org/convention/convention.html.
First Annual Spirit of the West Youth Fiddlers Contest - February 13, 2010
Our own member, Earl Calvert organized the First Annual Spirit of the West Youth Fiddlers Contest, held at the Kittitas County Fairgrounds, Ellensburg, WA. Contest Divisions: Small Fry, Junior-Junior, Junior and Show. Cash Prizes and Trophies for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place each division. For information: Earl Calvert 509-886-1614 or wotfacontest@hotmail.com or go to: http://www.ellensburgcowboygathering.com. Please note, this event was not sponsored by WOTFA; but, was a great opportunity for our youth!
Updated 9/25//2010