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Fiddlers make music at summer camp Kole Crook Association instructors teach youth in Fort Liard
Roxanna Thompson
Northern News Services
Published Thursday, July 18, 2013
ACHO DENE KOE/FORT LIARD
Before July 9, Ashanti Timbre had never played a fiddle.
Fiddle instructor Wesley Hardisty, left, of Fort Simpson gives a lesson to Angus Capot-Blanc, front right, and Logan Hardisty during the three-day Kole Crook fiddle camp in Fort Liard. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo
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By the end of the day, the eight-year-old from Fort Liard had learned the names of the fiddle strings and learned how to play a basic song titled the Open String Blues. A day later, Timbre had added a second song, Hot Cross Buns, to her repertoire.
Timbre was one of approximately 25 youths from Fort Liard who participated in the Kole Crook Fiddle camp in the hamlet from July 8 to 10.
The hamlet's wellness and recreation department organized the camp that was led by instructors Helen Edgar, Stacey Read and Wesley Hardisty.
Youth with varying levels of fiddle experience, ranging from those like Timbre who'd never played the instrument before, to advanced fiddlers by Fort Liard standards, joined the camp.
"The beginners are fun because they get really excited when they made a sound," said Read.
Approximately 18 youths received lessons every day in small groups with others that shared their skill level, or individually. Michael Bertrand-Sassie, 14, was one of the fiddlers who received some private lessons.
"It's going great," said Bertrand-Sassie on the final day of the camp.
Bertrand-Sassie, who has been playing the instrument for approximately three years, learned five new songs during the camp and brushed up on some of the tunes he had learned previously.
On July 10, Bertrand-Sassie and instructor Helen Edgar made digital recordings of some of the songs so he can practise at home.
During the camp, the more advanced students, such as Bertrand-Sassie, worked on the tougher techniques that come with playing more advanced tunes, said Read. By refining their skills, the songs sound better.
Although fiddlers in Fort Liard only receive lessons when the Kole Crook Fiddle Association brings in instructors, the youths remember a lot of what they've learned, including the songs, between the visits, she said. Because students hear the songs so often and there are similarities between the songs at different levels, the tunes come back to them quickly, Read said.
Community concert
"They retain the tunes they know really well," she said.
In addition to the lessons, a community concert was also held on July 9, as part of the camp. Approximately 15 students performed. Some of the fiddlers hadn't even come to the camp, but still wanted to play at the concert, said Read.
Learning experience
For Wesley Hardisty, of Fort Simpson, the camp was a learning experience.
"I've been having a lot of fun," he said.
Hardisty, who is starting his fiddle-teaching career, said the youths were helping him learn how to best present his knowledge and break down the tunes so they can follow them. Once they get all of the parts of a song to come together, they are so excited to play it, he said.
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