May
11
2:00 PM14:00

World Fiddle Day Celebration!!

Come celebrate World Fiddle Day with a fiddle concert and Old Time Fiddle Jam session.

The North Country Fiddlers will host a performance by The Madstop Fiddlers featuring fiddle tunes from around the globe. Then, audience members are welcome to grab their instrument for a community jam session full of of North Country fiddle favorites!

A 2:00, The Madstop Fiddlers, under the direction of Gretchen Koehler, will be kicking the afternoon off with a performance followed by a community jam session open to all acoustic musicians who want to join in. Bring your fiddle, guitar, banjo, mandolin, concertina, tin whistle, harmonica, etc., and play along with us!

The World Fiddle Day Celebration is FREE and open to the public!

In addition, we will have several FREE JAMMING WORKSHOPS in Canton/Potsdam for anyone who would like to learn the art of old time jamming, and/or practice the tunes ahead of the day! More info to come...

You can also practice on your own ahead of time with recordings and sheet music of these tunes at www.gretchenkoehlermusic.com/world-fiddle-daypotsdam

Community Jam Set List
Boil em Cabbage A
Cindy D
Liza Jane A
Hundred Pipers A
Off She Goes D
Chase Me Charlie A
Black Velvet Waltz C
St. Anne’s D
Gaspe Reel D
Old Joe Clark A
Flop Eared Mule D/A
Red Wing G
Snow Deer (G & D)
Tom Bigbee Waltz G


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Apr
13
6:30 PM18:30

Gretchen Koehler & Don Woodcock • Jeremy Rusu & Annie Davey

Waddington Historical Association 2024 Concert Series.

Saturday, April 13 6:30-8:00 PM, St. Paul’s Church, Waddington, NY

North Country fiddlers Don Woodcock and Gretchen Koehler will be joined by Canadian duo, fiddler Annie Davey and world class, multi-instrumentalist Jeremy Rusu for an Old Time Triple Fiddle concert that will knock your socks off!! Don't miss this special concert featuring the well known New York State Fiddlers Hall of Fame Inductees as they share stories, local history, and toe tappin' tunes enjoyed by fiddle fans for generations.

Gretchen Koehler first made her mark as a young contest fiddler throughout the Eastern US and Canada, winning contests in 7 states and 3 provinces. She is at ease playing a wide range of fiddle styles, from Old Time to Celtic to Quebecois, and is a sought after workshop clinician, in addition to teaching at her private fiddle studio in Potsdam. In 2012 she was inducted into the New York State Fiddlers' Hall of Fame in Osceola, NY and is TAUNY's 2014 Heritage Award recipient for her work to preserve old customs. www.gretchenkoehlermusic.com

Don Woodcock is a master fiddler and three-time New York State fiddle champion. He learned his craft by observing the playing of his father, Howard. In 1987 he was inducted into The New York State Fiddlers’ Hall of Fame and is a 1997 TAUNY (Traditional Arts in Upstate New York) Heritage Award winner. His deep North Country roots made him an important resource for TAUNY’s award winning project "Songs to Keep" which was aired on PBS.

Whether it’s on jazz piano, drums with a big band, country lead guitar, bluegrass mandolin, accordion, or bagpipes, Jeremy Rusu is right at home on a stage as long as he’s making music. Blind since birth, Jeremy’s entire life has revolved around music. Jeremy is a favorite accompanist for prominent fiddlers in Canada, playing often with Patti Kusturok and Calvin Vollrath. He is also busy working as a studio musician and recording engineer.

Jeremy's wife, Annie Davey, is a librarian and fiddler originally from NY, and President of the North Country Fiddlers, which was founded by her father, Carl Davey. Annie grew up surrounded by fiddle music, and studied classical violin from a young age. She enjoys musical adventures of all kinds, but most of all, playing on the banks of the St. Lawrence River with Jeremy. www.jeremyrusumusic.com

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Mar
23
2:00 PM14:00

Sugaring Off Party! Madstop Fiddlers!

People of all ages are invited to a musical celebration of maple sugaring season! This free interactive concert will be presented by The Madstop Fiddlers of Potsdam, a multigenerational group of fiddlers, under the direction of North Country Heritage Award recipient, Gretchen Koehler. This popular family-friendly event will take place on Saturday, March 23, 2-3:30pm at The TAUNY Center in Canton.


The Madstop Fiddlers will present a variety of toe-tapping old-time fiddle tunes that have been played in the North County for many generations. Throughout this fun, educational event, listeners will learn to play spoons, hear stories of French Canadian “sugaring off” parties, learn some Ottawa Valley “step dance” moves, as well as traditional French folk dances.


Local maple producer Art Hurlbut of Hurlbut’s Maple will also be at the party to make wax-on-snow (a seasonal favorite) to share with guests. This event is free, but donations will be gratefully accepted.

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Community dance with NoCo Folk Orchestra
Dec
6
6:00 PM18:00

Community dance with NoCo Folk Orchestra

Traditional Arts in Upstate New York [TAUNY] presents the North Country Folk Orchestra community waltz, Wednesday, December 6, 6-7PM held at the Potsdam Public Library. The event is FREE and open to dancers (beginning to advanced) and listeners of all ages. Dancers should wear comfortable shoes and bring a water bottle. Suggested donation $10. All proceeds go to TAUNY and the Potsdam Public Library.


Preceding the event, Todd Moe will be teaching a beginners waltz workshop, Monday, Dec 4, 5:30-6:30 at the Potsdam Public Library. Registration is $10 at www.TAUNY.org. 


The North Country Folk Orchestra [NCFO] is a multi-generational ensemble of fiddles, flutes, guitars, ukulele and double bass. The group is under the direction of  fiddler Gretchen Koehler and assisted by guitarist Barb Heller. The NCFO has been meeting bi-monthly at the Potsdam Public Library since September and focused on relaxed, creative folk arrangements with the goals of enriching ensemble skills, playing a diverse repertoire, and having fun. The NCFO will present a beautiful collection of traditional waltzes from Scotland, Ireland, Sweden and the US, to be enjoyed by dancers and listeners alike. 


Support for this program comes from the Perkins Family Charitable Fund and Traditional Arts in Upstate New York.

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Sit By The Fire with Koehler & Kelly
Dec
1
7:00 PM19:00

Sit By The Fire with Koehler & Kelly

Come “Sit By The Fire” with fiddler Gretchen Koehler & pianist Daniel Kelly as they share new music inspired by Northern New York poets on December 1 at 7:00 p.m. at the Potsdam Public Library. This event is free and open to the public. Suggested donation $10. All proceeds go to the Potsdam Public Library.


Gretchen Koehler composed and curated music to capture the spirit of the works of St. Lawrence County authors Kimberley Bouchard, Kiley Frank, Dale Hobson, Jan Hutslar, Neal Burdick, Stephanie Coyne DeGhett, and the late Max Coots. The guest poets will read their work, followed by a musical response by Koehler and Kelly. The beautiful music and vibrant spoken passages will reflect themes of life in the North Country ranging from New York’s natural beauty, technological conundrums, plunging winter temperatures, to snuggling with little ones while reading bedtime stories. 


Genre busting duo Koehler & Kelly blend the raw energy of traditional fiddling with the nuanced lyricism of jazz piano. The fiddle and piano weave in and out of jigs and reels with a delivery that ranges from elegant to fierce, searing to sensitive, as they bring the energy of trad music into new settings. Their approach has caught the attention of the folk music establishment, most notably NPR's Thistle & Shamrock showcasing "Best New Sounds" from rising artists. Together they spark an innovative musical conversation that reaches beyond musical boundaries. www.gretchenkoehlermusic.com


This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and administered by the St. Lawrence County Arts Council. 




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Oct
13
7:30 PM19:30

Fiddling With Traditions/Koehler & Kelly

Fiddling With Traditions is a fun, imaginative, muti-media concert that features fiddler/composer Gretchen Koehler & pianist Daniel Kelly sharing fiddle tunes that evoke everything from sweeping paint strokes, to intricate stitching, to the fiery forging of Northern NY's folk traditions. From heart pumping musical arrangements to peaceful panoramas, their expressive soundscapes capture the spirit of rug braiding, blacksmithing, quilting, silversmithing, paper making, knitting, painting and woodworking. Audiences of all ages will enjoy this captivating musical adventure enhanced by a backdrop of gorgeous film and photography.

Potsdam Public Library. Facebook event link

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Oct
12
7:15 PM19:15

Fiddling With Traditions/ Koehler & Kelly

Fiddling With Traditions is a fun, imaginative, muti-media concert that features fiddler/composer Gretchen Koehler & pianist Daniel Kelly sharing fiddle tunes that evoke everything from sweeping paint strokes, to intricate stitching, to the fiery forging of Northern NY's folk traditions. From heart pumping musical arrangements to peaceful panoramas, their expressive soundscapes capture the spirit of rug braiding, blacksmithing, quilting, silversmithing, paper making, knitting, painting and woodworking. Audiences of all ages will enjoy this captivating musical adventure enhanced by a backdrop of gorgeous film and photography.

Concert & Ticket link: https://www.sagamore.org/fiddling-with-traditions

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Jul
8
10:00 AM10:00

Scottish Festival • Koehler & Kelly

Fiddler Gretchen Koehler & pianist Daniel Kelly are pleased to be performing at 10AM & 2PM at the 2023 Scottish Festival on the grounds of the Hammond Historic Museum. The day-long festival celebrates the North Country's 200+ years of Scottish heritage with music, highland games, food, demonstrations & more! For details, please visit www.hammondmuseum.com/scottish-festival.html

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World Fiddle Day Concert!!! Madstop Fiddlers
May
21
2:00 PM14:00

World Fiddle Day Concert!!! Madstop Fiddlers

SUNDAY, MAY 21

The North Country Fiddlers' World Fiddle Day Celebration will be on Sunday, May 21, 2-3:30 PM at the Potsdam Public Library, Potsdam, NY! The event is free and open to the public. The Madstop Fiddlers will kick of the afternoon with a concert of fiddle music from around the world at 2PM. After an intermission, musicians in the audience to join in for a jam session!

OPTIONAL REHEARSALS

If you interested in playing at the event, and/or if you think you may attend one of the optional rehearsals below, RSVP to Gretchen at www.gretchenkoehlermusic.com.

•May 6~ Potsdam Public Library, 4-5:15, Potsdam, NY

•May 11 ~North Country Public Radio’s “String Fever” ~play-with-the-radio jam!! 4-5PM, ON LINE

•May 12 ~The TAUNY Center, 5-6:15, Canton, NY

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World Fiddle Day [Rehearsal] The TAUNY Center
May
12
5:00 PM17:00

World Fiddle Day [Rehearsal] The TAUNY Center

World Fiddle Day! Call for musicians!


The North Country Fiddlers invites area musicians to participate in an Old Time Fiddle jam session led by Gretchen Koehler in conjunction with The World Fiddle Day celebration on May 21, 2 pm at the Potsdam Public Library.


There will be two (optional) rehearsals ahead of the World Fiddle Day celebration where musicians can learn or brush up on the tunes below. Rehearsals will take place at the Potsdam Public Library on May 6, 4-5:15, and at The TAUNY Center on May 12, 5-6:15 PM in Canton, and ON-AIR on NCPR’s “String Fever” on May 11, 4-5PM.  


The Old Time Fiddle jam session is open to folks of all ages with proficiency on their acoustic instrument. Musicians are welcome to play by ear, or use the sheet music and chord charts provided. Audio files can be found on the North Country Fiddlers website for home practice, www.nocofiddlers.com [World Fiddle Day Blog].

Jam tunes are follows; Devil’s Dream, Liza Jane, Old Joe Clark, Boil ‘em Cabbage ‘down, Road to Boston, Golden Slippers, Ashokan Farewell, Jessica Waltz, Gaspe Reel, Soldier’s Joy, Angelina Baker, Cindy, Red Wing, Down Yonder, Black Velvet Waltz, Westphalia Waltz.


For more information, contact Gretchen at www.gretchenkoehlermusic.com or Annie www.nocofiddlers.com.


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