Fiddlers, Firefighters and Marines
Make the Season Shine Bright for Tots Saline, MI - The pure, simple act of giving is its own reward. When the gift is for a needy child, the giving is even greater. Fiddlers ReStrung hosted its 2nd annual Holiday Hometown Concert in support of Toys for Tots on December 7th, 2008. The event was a collaboration effort with the Saline Area Fire Department and the United States Marines Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots program. Thanks to the generosity of the community, the firefighters received over 1,100 toy donations in total this year, the largest amount ever, according to Fire Chief Craig Hoeft. Several elementary schools also participated in the effort by placing a collection box in their main office. Event planners wish to thank the principals and families of Saline Area Schools’ Houghton, Harvest, Pleasant Ridge, Woodland Meadows and Heritage for donating to this worthy cause. The toys brought joy to many local children on Christmas Day. Thrilled with the campaign’s growing success, Mr. Hoeft stated, “I believe without the partnership with Fiddlers ReStrung, we would not be able to reach out and touch as many families in need. Just the name Fiddlers ReStrung makes you think hard work, dedication and community.”
Before the curtain rose, Hoeft introduced marines from Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Mount Clemens, Michigan. Sgt. Mickey Lovey, Sgt. Christopher Smith, Cpl. Ray Cletus and Cpl. John Wall performed a Color Guard ceremony. ReStrung Music Interns Eli Bender (cello) and Kelly Pond (violin) played “The National Anthem” once the marines took their place on stage. Members from the Saline High School Chamber Choir opened the concert with a stunning a capella presentation of “Ding Dong Merrily on High”. They later performed “Carol of the Bells”. Donating their time and talent to the event were singers John R., Alan G., Nathaniel P., Steven J., Mary J., Sandra P., Katie B., Katie P., Joanna W. and Brittany S. The 6th grade fiddle club, led by Catherine Noble (a ReStrung alumnus) performed three traditional fiddle tunes; “Cripple Creek”, “Old Joe Clark” and “Mari’s Wedding”. “My students just started learning fiddle tunes since September and have done a really great job. I’m so proud of them. It was an honor to be involved with this special community collage concert,” said Ms. Noble.
Saline High School Band members also donated their time and talent in addition to providing some very cool jazz. The quartet performed a true jazz standard; “Blue Bossa” as well as the legendary Duke Ellington’s “Take the A Train”. The quartet included saxophonist Billy W., pianist Nathan F., drummer Joe H. and bassist Chris L.
The Middle School fiddle club, led by ReStrung Director Josh Herter finished out the first half of the show, performing “Morrison’s Jig, “Arkansas Traveler” and an amusing tune lamenting the gender differences called “Sourwood Mountain”. Praising the group’s performance, Mr. Herter said, “This year’s Middle School Fiddle Club is perhaps the best fiddle club ensemble I’ve had. They’re so musically cohesive on stage. It was definitely the tightest performance by Middle Schoolers I have ever directed.” Fiddlers ReStrung opened the second half of the afternoon’s entertainment with a slow, haunting air entitled “Fragments, Part I”, written by former FRS Director Cori Smith. The song’s mystique was dramatically enhanced as soft blue lights shadowed violinists Stephen F. and Trevor M. and cellist Adriane R. “Fragments, Part II” will debut at ReStrung’s next Hometown Concert in March with guest artist and former Barrage members, PEAR. Another new song in the ensemble’s repertoire is a Civil War era song entitled “Green Grows the Laurel”. The tune has jokingly become known among the group as the “gender-relations-conflict-song” owing to the line “…men are deceitful wherever they go.” Percussionist Jake H. kicked off the second portion of “Ross’s Reelz” with a bongo solo punctuated with Caribbean flair. Sophomore violinist Christina R. was featured as a solo vocalist in the song “Somewhere Nice Forever”, written by Mac MacNally and performed by Ricky Skaggs. The melancholy song recounts the story of one person’s battle with cancer. Accompanists included Sabine B. on violin, Anjali S. on tin whistle, Mickey S. on guitar, and Jeremy S. on cello. The newest group of fiddler cloggers had a chance to show off what they’ve learned from weekly lessons with dance instructor Sheila Graziano. A classic in fiddler repertoire, “Big John McNeil” featured cloggers Sabine B., Christina R., Adriane R., Asheema S., Jeremy S. and Mickey S. The newest fiddler faces premiering on stage for their first Hometown Concert included Marielle D. on keyboard, Allison W. on violin, and Grace W., also on violin. Taking on a tune previously performed by graduated seniors, bassist Sean C., violinist Asheema S., and cellist Jeremy S. stepped up to perform the playful tune “Minnie & Alex’s Reel. Collectively, the ensemble’s favorite song is “Tall Buildings.” This tune, originally arranged by John Hartford, was born from an FRS volunteer project while the ensemble was on summer tour this year. As Mr. Herter recalls, “Everyone showed up to help in the creative process, working on the project while crammed into a small hotel room. It was lots of fun and a great experience for all.” The highly successful concert was made possible by many hours generously donated by students, parent volunteers, Fire Chief Craig Hoeft and the Saline Area Fire Department, Marines from Selfridge Air National Guard, High School Cultural Arts Specialist Rebecca Groeb-Driskill and Theatre Staff, as well as the support of Brian Puffer, Director, Saline Community Education and Scot Graden, Superintendent, Saline Area Schools. Press Release Written by: Sandy Fike For More Information Contact:
Rebecca Groeb-Driskill
Cultural Arts Specialist, Saline Area Schools
(734) 429-8000 ext. 2338
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www.fiddlersrestrung.com
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