Members
WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO...The club was co-founded in 1981 by Ed Pearlman, who led the club and was its music director until 1999. During his tenure the club inspired the start-up of many clubs across the US and around the world dedicated to traditional Scottish fiddle music. Starting in 1999 the Boston Scottish Fiddle Club has operated with a different musical instructor each month, giving members a veriety of teaching styles while still carrying on the tradition of learing about and playing Scottish fiddle music. Our charter: to educate the public about Scottish fiddle music, embracing musicians of all levels on any instrument, as well as listeners. While most of our members play the fiddle, many play other instruments, Since the club's inception we have offered instruction in playing Scottish music through monthly workshops led by key musicians in the field of Scottish music, known for their outstanding teaching capability or matchless virtuosity or both. Monthly sessions give us the opportunity to have fun playing in a group of musicians who appreciate what we feel certain is the finest music in the World. Within the full club there is a sub-section of intermediate-level players called the Performance Group, which has performed at public events such as NEFFA in Mansfield, BCM Fest in Boston, the Lexington Farmers' Market and the Cape Breton Gaelic Club in Arlington. Any club member is elegible to become part of the Performance Group if he/she is willing to put in the extra rehearsal time. Once or twice during the year we produce a concert featuring a well-known Scottish or Cape Breton fiddler. This not only allows us to present the best of Scottish fiddle music to the public, but gives those Club members who want to perform a chance to play before a large and appreciative audience. ACTIVITIESWe meet on the first Sunday of each month from October through June at the Plymouth Congregational Church, 582 Pleasant St., Belmont, one block north of Rt. 2. There is usually plenty of parking on Pleasant street or the side streets. Our workshop focuses on beginners between 2 pm and 3 pm, and, after a break, the intermediate players between 3:30 pm and 4:30 pm. The workshop leader often gives a short performance following the workshop. Then we have an open session, playing from our session book or past tunes that we've learned, from 5:00 pm until 6:00 pm (or later) We often have jam sessions in members' homes at various times during the month. Location and times are sent to the members in our monthly mailings. Members who elect to join our Performance Group will be expected to attend several additional rehersals, expecially when the group is scheduled to give a public performance. The entire club participates in a number of performances during the year, including opening for Scottish and Cape Breton fiddlers, the annual New England Folk Festival (NEFFA), a favorite with BSFC members. No matter what your skill level there's a place for you if you're interested. In the summer we have been having an afternoon pot luck and music party at the home of one of the members, with a session that starts in the afternoon and often goes on into the night.
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and we often have guitar, mandolin, banjo, flute, penny whistle, accordian, concertina, piano, and an occasional bodhran in our sessions. We are open to any instrument!