Background
Fiddleheads Yukon was established in the spring of 1998 under the artistic and musical direction of Trish Barclay. The purpose of the group is to develop fiddling, music and theatrical skills as well as opportunities for creativity and confidence-building in young Yukon musicians. These goals are met through performance opportunities, participatory fiddle jams, the creation and presentation of dramatic shows, and workshops with local and visiting artists in fiddling, theatre, dance and voice.
Fiddleheads Yukon has successfully developed and performed original musical shows in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2012. Many young Yukon musicians have been involved with Fiddleheads, and with each production the more experienced youth provide mentorship for the newer, younger members of the group. Fiddleheads has provided a first experience for young Yukon musicians to develop their talents and expand their skills to include dance, singing and drama. The founding members of Fiddleheads have matured and are developing their talents through other venues.
Presently, Fiddleheads is a group of 30 young musicians, aged six to 18, with a desire to continue in the successful traditions of previous members. Fiddleheads has also been contacted by several families with young beginner fiddle students who wish to join the group.
The current Fiddlehead families are eager to welcome new members to the group, committed to providing excellent programing for the youth, and keen to set and reach new artistic challenges with its members. In preparation for producing the Fiddler’s History of Canada, the organization is especially interested in welcoming other musicians, with different skill levels and different instruments, including adults, into the group. This will help make the group more vibrant and build the musical community in Whitehorse.
Fiddleheads Yukon has successfully developed and performed original musical shows in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2012. Many young Yukon musicians have been involved with Fiddleheads, and with each production the more experienced youth provide mentorship for the newer, younger members of the group. Fiddleheads has provided a first experience for young Yukon musicians to develop their talents and expand their skills to include dance, singing and drama. The founding members of Fiddleheads have matured and are developing their talents through other venues.
Presently, Fiddleheads is a group of 30 young musicians, aged six to 18, with a desire to continue in the successful traditions of previous members. Fiddleheads has also been contacted by several families with young beginner fiddle students who wish to join the group.
The current Fiddlehead families are eager to welcome new members to the group, committed to providing excellent programing for the youth, and keen to set and reach new artistic challenges with its members. In preparation for producing the Fiddler’s History of Canada, the organization is especially interested in welcoming other musicians, with different skill levels and different instruments, including adults, into the group. This will help make the group more vibrant and build the musical community in Whitehorse.
Organizational Goals
A central goal of the Fiddleheads Yukon is to provide a continuum of learning opportunities for its members, both in music and performing arts. Fiddleheads attracts youth with a wide range of abilities and interests: the young fiddler hoping to get up on stage for the first time and be part of a group of enthusiastic musicians; young strings players wanting opportunities to learn different musical styles from a variety of instructors; more advanced musicians who also want to learn to dance or sing; and the more seasoned performers who enjoy character development and choreography for performances with their peers. As new players join Fiddleheads and older players move on, the organization adapts and tries to satisfy the immediate needs and long-term goals of all its members.
The Fiddleheads Yukon embraces diversity and encourages the development of well-rounded musicians. For many of the Fiddleheads, the performances are the end result of a lot of hard work, an opportunity to share what they have learned with an audience; other members want to play music and to keep learning and playing with youth who share their interest. The workshops and performances offer choices and together help to create a strong and supportive musical community for all these young players.
The Fiddleheads Yukon embraces diversity and encourages the development of well-rounded musicians. For many of the Fiddleheads, the performances are the end result of a lot of hard work, an opportunity to share what they have learned with an audience; other members want to play music and to keep learning and playing with youth who share their interest. The workshops and performances offer choices and together help to create a strong and supportive musical community for all these young players.
Contributions of Members
The members of the Fiddleheads Yukon provide many hours of labour, financial and in-kind contributions, including: assisting with rehearsals and performances; producing shows; creating costumes, sets and props; assisting children to learn parts and music; arranging mentoring opportunities; providing musical accompaniment; organizing camps, residencies, and workshops; administrative work; and promoting and advertising shows.
Past Activities and Performances
The organization has kept the children involved between major projects. Support of parents, professionals and local organizations have helped maintain strong momentum. The group continues to have opportunities to play regularly, both in scheduled events and in regular music development sessions. The following performances have provided training for the younger musicians and the opportunity for the older fiddlers to remain involved and gain more experience with performance, sharing their music with a variety of audiences.
• ‘Just Because’ tour, 1998
• School and community tours, Yukon and Alaska, 1998 – 2002
• Tour to Old Crow, 1999, 2001
• Alsek Music Festival, Haines Junction 2003
• Rendezvous Fiddle Show, Yukon Arts Centre
• Mount Lorne Community Barn Dances
• Wildwood Festival, Mount Lorne
• Department of Highways Annual Conferences
• Golden Horn School Family Barn Dances
• Arts-In-The-Park, Le Page Park
• Transportation Museum performance
• Law Society Christmas Party
• Santa Claus Parade Concert
• Hospital Gala, 2006, 2007
• City of Whitehorse sister city reception
• Relay for Life 2008
• Canada Winter Games closing ceremony, 2007
• Blue Feather Festival, 2007
• International Fire Chief’s Conference 2008
• Tourism Conference 2008
• Federation of Labour conference 2008
• School Tour of Pelly and Carmacks 2008
• Pre-show performance National Orchestra 2008
• Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment annual meeting 2009
• Northern Forum performance at Convention Centre 2009
• Festival of Lights performance 2009
• Fiddle Rush production, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
• Rendezvous Fiddle Show 2010
• Kluane Bluegrass Festival 2010, 2011
• Community Barn Dances 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013.
• Japanese Sister City visit 2011
• Old Fire Hall Fiddle Concert 2011
• Atlin Arts and Music Festival 2011
• Arctic Winter Games closing ceremonies March 2012
• Fiddle camps, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012
• “Encounter” school tour, Teslin, Carcross, Dawson, Mayo, Pelly, Whitehorse, 2012
• Commissioner’s Christmas Party 2012
• National Arts Centre Orchestra 2012
• Ashley MacIsaac Concert 2012
• Rotary Music Festival 2013
• Spectacle Secondaire 2013
• ‘Just Because’ tour, 1998
• School and community tours, Yukon and Alaska, 1998 – 2002
• Tour to Old Crow, 1999, 2001
• Alsek Music Festival, Haines Junction 2003
• Rendezvous Fiddle Show, Yukon Arts Centre
• Mount Lorne Community Barn Dances
• Wildwood Festival, Mount Lorne
• Department of Highways Annual Conferences
• Golden Horn School Family Barn Dances
• Arts-In-The-Park, Le Page Park
• Transportation Museum performance
• Law Society Christmas Party
• Santa Claus Parade Concert
• Hospital Gala, 2006, 2007
• City of Whitehorse sister city reception
• Relay for Life 2008
• Canada Winter Games closing ceremony, 2007
• Blue Feather Festival, 2007
• International Fire Chief’s Conference 2008
• Tourism Conference 2008
• Federation of Labour conference 2008
• School Tour of Pelly and Carmacks 2008
• Pre-show performance National Orchestra 2008
• Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment annual meeting 2009
• Northern Forum performance at Convention Centre 2009
• Festival of Lights performance 2009
• Fiddle Rush production, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
• Rendezvous Fiddle Show 2010
• Kluane Bluegrass Festival 2010, 2011
• Community Barn Dances 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013.
• Japanese Sister City visit 2011
• Old Fire Hall Fiddle Concert 2011
• Atlin Arts and Music Festival 2011
• Arctic Winter Games closing ceremonies March 2012
• Fiddle camps, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012
• “Encounter” school tour, Teslin, Carcross, Dawson, Mayo, Pelly, Whitehorse, 2012
• Commissioner’s Christmas Party 2012
• National Arts Centre Orchestra 2012
• Ashley MacIsaac Concert 2012
• Rotary Music Festival 2013
• Spectacle Secondaire 2013