Music springs eternal at fiddlers concert

The performers range in age from 7 to 87, but they all have one love: traditional music making.

The performers range in age from 7 to 87, but they all have one love: traditional music making.

Members of the Washington Old Time Fiddlers Association of Clallam and Jefferson counties present a spring concert at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 30, at the Port Angeles High School performing arts auditorium.

A donation of $5 ($10 family) is suggested.

The Dungeness All Stars Folk Dance Band, led by Valerie Cullinan of Sequim, presents “Strait  Fiddlin” from 1:30-2 p.m.

The concert begins at 2 p.m. with traditional music performed on fiddle, mandolin, concertina and ukulele, backed by guitar, banjo, piano and acoustic bass.

Always a highlight of the show, the Young Fiddlers group is led this year by Kate Powers, 14, who took first place in the Port Angeles Symphony’s 2013 Junior Young Artists Competition. The group also includes young fiddlers Kate, Ethan, Philip and Phebe Powers and David and Alex Tormala. They are joined by regulars Kristina Tormala, Don Betts, Bill Woods, W.L. Martin and Chris Burt.

The variety program continues with the popular group The Old Sidekicks: Bill Camuso, Jack Reagan, Steve Sahnow, W.L. Martin and Vern Sprague. The Angel Band provides instrumental and vocal renditions of gospel songs. Other performers include Brennan and Bodie Labree, Dennis Schosboek, Don Betts, Emerald Bailey, George Yount, John and Donna Spence, Kristin Smith and Mike Bare.

Singer and guitarist Rita Hubbard leads a singalong to close the program.

A nonprofit dedicated to “preserving, promoting and perpetuating the art of traditional old-time fiddling and associated arts and skills,” the local WOTFA supports scholarships for lessons for active youth members. Some WOTFA District 15 students have won top honors in recent statewide competitions.

New members are welcome. A $25 local membership also includes state membership, local district activities, voting rights, a state workshop, a local summer campout, state and local newsletters, and consideration for fiddle scholarships for youths.

Members who play acoustic instruments can join in on jam sessions and play in the performances at the twice-monthly meetings and other playdates in the area. WOTFA usually meets on the second Saturday of each month at the Sequim Prairie Grange for business meetings followed by jam sessions at noon and performances at 1:30 p.m. On the fourth Saturday, the meeting is held in the Chimacum Tri-Area Community Center a with similar time schedule.

Visit www.d15.wotfa.org for more information and complete schedules.

The public always is invited to enjoy the music at these meetings and donations support student members’ musical education.