After a hectic year of fundraising concerts at church halls, seniors’ centres, and community theatres,
the Coast String Fiddlers are off to invade Scotland (where they’ll be playing concerts in church halls, seniors’ centres,
and community theatres).
“We wanted to take them back to the roots of their music. It’s been a long-time dream that one day we
would take them to Scotland, and now the reality is happening,” says Heather Beckmyer. Beckmyer, a composer and pianist,
also serves as musical director together with Ann Law (who beats a mean bodhran.) Citing Law’s unflagging energy and
enthusiasm, Beckmyer says “without Ann, there would be no Coast String Fiddlers.”
As invited participants in the prestigious Aberdeen International Youth Festival (“the World Festival of
Youth Arts”) August 3-13, the 19-member ensemble has captured the community’s imagination and their energetic fundraising
has captured everyone’s respect. In their signature red jackets donated by Art McGinnis of Gibsons Marina, the group is
almost ready to roll.
Once they set down in Scotland, Festival organizers will ensure the group is not idle! They’ll be bused
to perform at various venues around Aberdeen and also to small towns in the vicinity. Festival participants are also
required to present a “workshop” that showcases their own culture. The tour ends on a high note on August 15, where the
Fiddlers play a noontime concert at the National Museum of Scotland as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
The Fiddlers have always included original compositions by ensemble members in their repertoire. It was
a small step to work this tradition into a unique, jaw-dropping multi-media “cultural workshop presentation” that is bound
to be one of the highlights of the Aberdeen festival. Performing against a background slide presentation of Coastal
scenes, the Fiddlers will present “Cedar Blessing,” a movement from Beckmyer’s Sunshine Coast Suite. The piece is made
especially poignant with the addition of lyrics written by Sechelt elder Bernie Sound in the original shi’shalh language,
from her poem about the importance of the cedar tree to the Coast Salish culture. With words and music that move beyond
fiddle music to incorporate other traditions, the workshop is designed to involve vocal and instrumental participants.
“We’re actually going to be playing that piece at the Father’s Day concert as well, although perhaps not with the
multi-media. It isn’t fiddle music – but these kids are talented enough to play anything you throw at them,” says
Beckmyer.
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Tickets for the annual Father’s Day Concert (June 19 at Rockwood Centre, Sechelt) are priced at a
canny $8 for adults, and $5 for under 12/over 65, with refreshments by donation.
The Fiddlers have come a long way since their start as a “fiddle club” under the baton of Michelle
Bruce back in 1993. Coming together as the Coast String Fiddlers in 2000, the group really jelled with participation
in the Toonik Tyme ceremonies at Iqaluit, Nunavut “and now,” says Beckmyer, “it’s out of control.” In 2003, ten years
after their inauguration, at the Mt. Vernon, Washington Celtic Games the group shared the stage and held their own with
internationally renowned fiddler Catriona MacDonald.
Much of the group’s startling growth and professionalism is due to participation in the annual School
of Celtic Music (founded by Ann and John Law) which the Coast Fiddlers Society hosts in Roberts Creek each July. From its
inception in 2000, the school has drawn top international instructors – such as Catriona MacDonald - and offered a
high-calibre learning experience for the very reasonable fees.
Setting aside Friday nights and weekends to practice, and forming ensembles within groups within
orchestras, the Fiddlers love what they’re doing and it shows. Says Beckmyer, “We’re all having fun. And that’s the main
thing.”
For more info about the Fiddlers or to order their CDs, visit the website at
www.coaststringfiddlers.com
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