|
24 Aug 99 - 12:37 PM (#108054) Subject: Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp From: Rex Yep, there was one that happened here. It was down by Deckers where the South Platte runs through. I think it's on most maps of Colorado. You get to Deckers and head a ways up a dirt road to this YMCA camp called Shady Brook. I got to work real early (4:30) Thursday morning and got done what I had to do. My celtic harp, viola, and fiddle playing friend Marianne did the same and we met at Pine Junction and headed South (ish) to Deckers. There was one heck of a storm ahead of us but it passed as we got to the camp. Folks were just coming out of cabins, etc.. Fiddle music was wafting in from every direction up in the hills. Yeah, this was what I had in mind. I was unable to take time off to stay for even a few days at the camp but I asked the director if I could come visit one day to see what it was like and hopefully make arrangements for next year. I was told I was welcome to doe that. So there Marianne and I were. While a few errant rain drops were still sprinkling here and there we looked around. The camp is a lovely holler in the mountains will hills all around and Ponderosa Pines filled with noisy Stellar Jays and House Wrens. There were several cabins for sleeping, larger buildings for workshops and a large central building for dining and more workshops. We dropped in during a lull in the action. Workshops were solid everyday with concerts in the evening. But Thursday everyone got a well needed break in the afternoon. I did see a unofficial session going on the the dining hall with guitar, fiddles and the largest celtic harp I have seen. We met with the director who invited us to look around. There were some folks under an awning who had fiddles cased up. So we got our fiddles and sat down with them. Some were teaching at the camp, some were learning. We commenced to playing and everyone else got out their fiddles and we had quite a time. I think there eight fiddles going for awhile. Then a guy with a string bass showed up and we played some more. Well they treated us so fine I hated to leave. But we had to go home and then back to work. Marianne and I are planning to attend next year. We were practically jumping up and down asking the director if there would be another camp next year. He hopes so but isn't sure yet. To give you an idea, there was all kinds of styles: Cape Breton, Swedish, Canadian, Irish, Quebec, Scottish, Old time too. Folks were there from around the world. Many from Europe, one I heard was from New Zealand. If you've heard of Fiddler Magazine, (www.fiddle.com) one of their writers was there, Donna Maurer. She was writing up a review of the place that will be in an upcoming issue. I highly recommend this camp to anyone who loves the voice of the fiddle. You can find more info at the camp's website: (www.RMFiddle.com) Rex |
|
24 Aug 99 - 01:06 PM (#108058) Subject: RE: Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp From: j0_77 Fascinating, suppose there was a folk fest somewheres ther e as well (LOL) I love 'ranting' too. We may yet have a Folk Festival with Folk fiddling. Living in hope Yours a fan - |
|
24 Aug 99 - 03:33 PM (#108107) Subject: RE: Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp From: DAN DUNGAN Hi, I am the guy with the string bass. I'm living in los angeles and trying to find irish sessions here. The fiddle camp was a great experience, and I recommend attending next year.
|
|
01 Sep 99 - 12:02 PM (#110379) Subject: RE: Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp From: Rex Hello Dan, I was looking about the fiddle camp for any mudcat t-shirts. I wish I had known. Well thanks for letting us know. And thanks for joining in at the camp. It sure was a fine time. I'm also looking forward to next year. Rex |