LESSON: Ice Harvest Reel
FIDDLING WITH TRADITIONS SUITE
Fiddling With Traditions is a multimedia concert inspired by American folk arts and traditions. Created in 2022 by fiddler and tunesmith Gretchen Koehler, the project is based on her “Fiddling With Traditions” suite, which translates a wide variety of folk arts into her family music tradition. In addition to composing, Gretchen filmed and produced the multimedia show, enhanced by a backdrop of stunning film and photography. From heart-pumping musical arrangements to peaceful panoramas, her expressive soundscapes capture the spirit of rug braiding, blacksmithing, ice harvesting, quilting, silversmithing, papermaking, knitting, baking, painting, maple sugaring, beekeeping, and woodworking.
Ice Harvest Reel- LESSON
Audio 1 – Full Arrangement
Listen to Ice Harvest Reel from the Fiddling With Traditions suite in its complete studio arrangement with all five parts (A-B-C-D-E). Click to learn more about the album.
Audio 2 – Learn & Play
Gretchen Koehler plays and teaches the tune in standard AABB form, including the bonus “Ice Sawing” section.
Fiddler Gretchen Koehler at the Ice Palace in Saranca Lake, New York. 2026 (-3ºF)
BEHIND-THE-SCENES • BLOG
Each tune in the Fiddling With Traditions Suite has a companion “behind-the-scenes” blog where you meet the tradition bearers and hear about Gretchen’s compositional process. ! Here is more about the folks who carry on the annual Ice Harvest in Saranac Lake, NY, creating the Ice Palace for their community Winter Carnival.
ICE HARVEST • MUSIC VIDEO
Each tune in the Fiddling With Traditions Suite has a music video created by filmmaker Gretchen Koehler. (Click to watch full collection.) Below, enjoy seeing the Ice Harvest in a documentary-style video, complete with a live soundtrack performed by Gretchen Koehler and Daniel Kelly in front of a live audience at The Edwards Opera House, Edwards, NY.
This project is made possible with funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.