The Tennessee Fiddle Orchestra
is essentially a chamber orchestra that performs traditional folk
music.The TFO will explore the rich traditions of fiddle tunes and folk songs which embody the experience of the rural Southeastern United States.
Our fiddle orchestra will rehearse weekly toward the objective of a concert at the end of the semester. Repertoire will include classics from the American and Celtic fiddle tune traditions as well as hymns and seasonal music.
The ensemble will consist of fiddles, violas, cellos, and string basses. Anyone interested is encouraged to participate The ensemble will consist of fiddles, violas, cellos, and string basses. Anyone interested is encouraged to participate advanced. If you have the desire to be a part of the Tennessee Fiddle Orchestra, there will be a place for you.|
Jim Wood, the five-time Tennessee State Fiddle Champion, composer, and multi-instrumentalist, will provide custom arrangements in order to optimize everyone's participation. Lisa Quick will conduct rehearsals and the final concert. |
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The TFO will meet weekly on Monday evenings from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the Forrester Student Center Cafeteria. Forrester Student Center Cafeteria is located on the Motlow State Community College campus between Lynchburg, and Tullahoma, Tennessee on Highway 55. Rehearsals for the 2nd semester will begin on January 28th, and the concert will be on May 5, 2008.
The Tennessee Fiddle Orchestra is slated to begin rehearsal on January 28th for its second semester, and we would love to see the number of participants double this time around. The bigger, the better. The first semester was a tremendous success (capped by a more-than-standing-room-only concert at Motlow in December). I could not have imagined that it could have went any better (both in what we accomplished as a group and in the incredible support of the community).
If you play fiddle, violin, viola, 'cello, or string bass, please consider joining us (and if you do not play, please help us to spread the word). The TFO is truly for musicians of all levels and backgrounds, and the thing that pleased me most about the first semester was the way in which experienced players blended together with relative beginners where everyone seemed challenged at his or her level. I write arrangements to include every level from pretty advanced to very simple; so, on any given piece, you will find a part that is both accessible but stimulating. We will cover this semester a wide range of fun and interesting material, including Irish, Scottish, old-time, and contest-style fiddle tunes, some Western Swing, and several folk songs (including a Costa Rican pasillo).
We have several members who were already proficient on other instruments who saw the TFO as an opportunity to branch out and learn something new; so, if you have ever said to yourself that you wanted to play violin, viola, 'cello, or string bass, now is a great chance to get going. Playing with an orchestra and hearing all the wonderful sound of the violin family instruments blending together is one of the great musical experiences of life; it is truly magical. Also, Inge and I have never seen anything in all our years of teaching private students that has been more effective in helping students to improve.
