Saugerties Pro Musica will present the Strawberry Hill Fiddlers at the United Methodist Church in Saugerties this Sunday, January 15 at 3 p.m. for a rousing concert of traditional music, interspersed with improvised readings, song and dance. The young string musicians from communities throughout the Hudson Valley meet weekly in Hyde Park to learn and rehearse a diverse repertoire of fiddle tunes from many cultures around the world. They experiment with harmonies, improvisation and arrangements, and develop their skills in private workshops with guest artists such as Jay Ungar, Ruth Ungar, Bruce Molsky and Darol Anger.
The Strawberry Hill Fiddlers, along with the “younger berries,” learn fiddle music by ear, the way traditional tunes have been passed down through the generations. They have performed as one of just four groups invited to the annual convention of the American String Teachers’ Association in Kansas City, and have toured in Scotland and throughout the US, sharing stages with accomplished amateur and professional musicians alike. They also perform frequently for church groups, at nursing homes and in benefit concerts. As music ambassadors, the Fiddlers will travel to the United Kingdom at the end of June 2012, touring and visiting with other young fiddlers, performing their music and making friends.
Pro Musica’s Richard Frisbee describes the Fiddlers’ concert presented in Saugerties two years ago, saying, “The group includes kids of all ages, all ethnicities, all levels of talent. They’re fantastic.”
Directed by Emily and Carole Schaad, the Strawberry Hill Fiddlers’ student lineup for 2012 includes Sophia Bellino, David Chernack, Tyler Dezago, Catie Ely, Adam Jeffreys, Andrew Kuch, Katy Lysko, Jean MacAvery, Tanner Martin-Ignaffo, Alex McLaughlin, Jennifer Ren, Robert Schubert, Andrea Velasquez and Cassity Warnecke, all playing fiddle; with Lydia deLeeuw, Louis Rizzo and Aaron Stier on cello; Evan Bish on bass; Andrea Velasquez on ukulele; and David Chernack, Tyler Dezago, Andrew Kuch and Robert Schubert on guitar. The Fiddlers are a part of Stringendo Orchestra School of the Hudson Valley. Visit www.stringendoweb.org for information about classes and programs.
Tickets for the Pro Musica concert are $12 for general admission and $10 for seniors; students get in free. The United Methodist Church is located at Washington Avenue and Post Street. See www.saugertiespromusica.org for more information about upcoming Sunday concerts.
Join the family! 
