The Fredösphere

I heard the Saline Fiddlers perform Friday night.  It's a group of high school-aged kids playing fiddles, violas, cellos, backed by rhythm instuments like banjos, mandolins and a bass guitar.  They play american folk classics and folk-inspired tunes, like those written by Mark O'Connor.  They are one of the most compelling groups of preformers I've ever seen.  What's their secret?

It's not technical perfection, although I want to be very clear that they are performing at a very high level for their age.  The fact is, although you can notice mistakes if you're listening for them, they perform in such a way as to make you not care.  Partly the structure of the music prevents "clams" from disrupting the flow -- the rhythm section keeps things moving.  They keep your attention by alternating between a big chorus of strings (a dozen or more) and soloists.

Okay, so the music is arranged intellegently, but that's not what puts them over the top.  Their secret lies in their performing sense.  Most every player wears a big goofy grin while playing.  They are having fun, or at least making an effort to fake it.  Throw in a few more cornball touchs -- they introduce one another as "Mr." or "Miss" -- and it becomes very hard not to enjoy the show.

This is where so many high-brow music groups fall down.  The task of getting the notes perfect consumes all the performer's brain power. They perform with expressionless masks on their faces. The performance never engages the listener's emotions.  Not surprisingly, I notice this problem with choirs especially.

I can't overlook one disappointment:  their reliance on a sound system.  The music is loud, too loud really.  Are we never allowed to hear folk music played in true old tyme fashion?  The size the room on Friday night didn't require amplification.

I'm done complaining.  The Saline Fiddlers host camps for up-and-coming fiddlers and I hear they have a host of younger kids working their respective butts off in the hope of joining the group.  They seem to be fostering a fiddle culture in the area.  This is so good.

I wish I could do the same for choral music.  Why aren't people lining up for the chance to perform with me?  Perhaps it's because I look like this.