Fort Simpson (Mar 31/06) - Instead of enjoying a quiet week of rest, the halls of Bompas elementary school were filled with music during spring break.

Fiddle tunes drifted from four different classrooms.

The music came from the instruments of 32 students from Kakisa, Jean Marie River, Wrigley and Fort Simpson, who gathered together for the fourth annual Kole Crook fiddle camp from March 19-23.

"The goal is to foster a love and appreciation for fiddling," said Gerda Hazenberg, one of the camp organizers.

Everyone was welcome. Skill levels ranged from students who had never picked up a fiddle before, to musicians with four years of experience.

Participants were divided up into four groups based on their level of experience and technique.

Days were filled with four instruction sessions covering everything from fiddle care to new songs. There were also two daily group sessions, where everyone gathered in the gym to play.

"The group sessions are the highlight of the camp," said Hazenberg.

For Joelle Moses, 15, from Wrigley, the camp's draw was the opportunity to build her skill levels. Bowing was a skill she wanted to work on.

"I thought it was a chance to learn new songs," said Rebecca Brown, another participant.

Amazing Grace and the Pelican Reel are some of Brown's favourite songs. The 12-year-old from Fort Simpson has been playing the fiddle for a year.

The young fiddlers will leave the camp with more than just new tunes to play.

"Fiddling promotes joy and happiness," said Lewis Beck, an organizer.

Both Beck and Hazenberg agree that playing music enriches the lives of children.

"We can see the well-being that comes out of music," said Beck.

Students also learn how to work together and how to persevere through difficulties, said Beck. Because there is a lack of qualified instructors in the communities, youth with experience teach the younger fiddlers.

The fiddle camp is also designed to foster an appreciation for the culture and history of fiddling, which is part of the youth's heritage, said Hazenberg.

All the youth have the skills they need to fiddle.

"You don't have to dig hard, just provide a window to let it out,"