School Programs • Fiddling With Traditions
••School Programs••
••School General Assemblies••
(Grades K-12, 45-60 minute assembly option)
Imagine you were to compose a tune that felt as warm as freshly baked bread, or a melody as cold as ice being cut from a frozen lake… or music with the energy of a thousand stitches on a quilt….
That is what filled the imagination of fiddle player and tunesmith Gretchen Koehler as she composed “Fiddling With Traditions” ~ a new collection of tunes inspired by North Country Folk traditions.
During the show, you will hear Gretchen Koehler and Daniel Kelly make their fiddle and piano sound like the clanging of a blacksmith’s hammer, the sweet honey of a million bees, and a colorful sunset enjoyed from a wooden rowboat. The duo will play their musical soundscapes in front of a screen with films of spinning wheels, red hot metal under a jewelry maker’s torch, and much more.
School performance highlights!
••INSTRUMENTAL MASTERCLASSES••
Fiddler Gretchen Koehler has been teaching preschoolers- great grandparents to “fiddle from scratch” for 45 years. Pianist Daniel Kelly has worked with thousands of children across the country. Together they will introduce young musicians, on any instrument, to traditional fiddle traditions, including learning a tune by ear, exploring a multitude of fiddle genres and fostering a connection to the students’ local folk music history. In addition, students will learn the traditional foot percussion, spoon playing and step dancing (tap dancing) that often accompanies their regional music traditions.
Gretchen Koehler teaches an advanced fiddle tune masterclass.
Daniel Kelly leads a sound exploration with elementary/middle school instrumental students.
••PRAISE••
“I just watched your program. Amazing. Absolutely amazing.”
~Elementary School Principal
“This is, hands down, the highest quality show I've ever seen in my teaching career.
Every student needs to see this. Wow! Just wow!!"
~Middle School Teacher
“Fiddling with Traditions” is an amazing work of art, and Gretchen and Daniel
are fabulous musicians and educators. I’d have them back in a heartbeat.”
~Middle School Teacher
“The videography was excellent. It really helps the students to hear the sounds
of these individual crafts that you are portraying in your music.”
~Elementary School Teacher
“That was SO awesome and fun!”
~Middle School Student
“I want to be a boat builder and work in the boat shop!”
~Elementary School Student