Wyoming Arts Council

Rocky Mountain Fiddle Championships take place Aug. 14-16 in Casper

Featured News | August 3, 2015

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From the Wyoming Fiddlers’ Association District #4 in Casper:

The Wyoming Fiddlers’ Association District #4 extends a personal invitation to you to help us celebrate the 25th Annual Rocky Mountain Regional Fiddle Championships & Music Festival in Casper on August 14-16 at the Ramada Plaza Riverside. It is a special event for us, and we are excited to announce some new changes. We have added a Twin Fiddle category, and the Grand Championship Fiddle category will be judged on the combined scores for two rounds.

Friday night, Aug. 14, we will have an informal jam session to give participants and spectators the opportunity to renew old friendships and create some new ones.

We have a great panel of highly qualified judges: Scott Sumner from Milton Freewater, Oregon, and Daniel and Amy Carwile from Lexington, Kentucky.

All fiddle categories (except the novice categories) are certified by the National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest in Weiser, Idaho. First place winners will receive a beautiful certificate and their entry fees will be paid for the 2016 National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest.

On Saturday the music competition will start at 9 a.m. and run throughout the day with a break for lunch and dinner. Contestants will vie for over $3400 in prizes and trophies. Saturday night will feature the final round of the Grand Championship category, as well as the final round for the new Twin Fiddle category. In addition, Wyoming Fiddlers’ Association District #4 will do a short entertainment segment, and the judges will present the final performance of the evening.

There will be a buffet dinner prior to the Saturday night show. The cost is $16.50 for adults/$11.50 for children 10 & under. Reservations must be made by Monday, August 10.

On Sunday morning, one-hour music workshops will be presented by Amy and Daniel Carwile and Bill McKay. A fiddle workshop for beginner-intermediate players entitled “How to improve tone, intonation, technique & timing” will be presented by the Carwiles, who will also present a Master fiddle workshop entitled “Tips, techniques and suggestions for improvement” for intermediate-advanced players. Bill McKay will present “Getting beyond backup: Creative group playing for two or more.” The cost of each workshop is $25.

FMI: Ann Robinson at 307-266-6347

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