Fiddlers ReStrung Begin Appalachian Joy 2013 Tour

Fiddlers ReStrung will be “all aboard the bus” complete with gear, musical instruments and tons of their infectious enthusiasm, taking their high-energy entertainment on their annual summer tour starting Sunday, June 30. This year’s tour is billed as the “Appalachian Joy Tour” and will take the group throughout the roots of Old Time Fiddling, featuring performances at iconic locales such as Nashville, Atlanta, Charlotte and Lexington. The group will return on July 10 upon completing nine performances during their visits to nine states in two time zones.

Jimmy Whitman, Fiddlers ReStrung’s Artistic Director, notes the students love tours of this nature as “one cannot replicate the group bonding resulting from bus trips through areas like this. We look forward to the sold out shows and playing for audiences rooted in old time fiddle culture.” Andrea Vaujin, parent and chaperone, advises “It is great that Fiddlers ReStrung is committed to having tours that provide a truly diverse journey of America. Our daughters know when joining the group they will get a range of opportunities over a four year cycle that will provide them a transformational experience.” Jennifer Wright, parent and tour director, cites “This tour combines the key elements of the Fiddlers ReStrung culture: sharing the group’s talents via dynamic performances, strengthening their knowledge of fiddling with selective workshops and tours, and developing camaraderie with engaging activities.”  Highlights of this year’s tour include performances ranging from rural settings in Kentucky and North Carolina, suburban venues around Charlotte, and at the urban cores of Atlanta and Nashville. Performing locations have been selected based on their appeal to those who most enjoy the music of Fiddlers ReStrung: audiences aged between 5 and 95.

The trip also provides educational activities such as tours of the Kentucky Horse Park, the Mammoth Cave, the Georgia Aquarium, and the Nashville Zoo, along with a violin-makers tour. The “downtime” breaks include excursions to locations such as the Millennium Mall near Charlotte, the World of Coke and the MLK Historical site tours in Atlanta, a Charlotte Knights baseball game, hiking at the site of filming of the “Hunger Games”, and experiencing the full range of southern hospitality with old fashioned barbecue picnics, pool parties, 4th of July fireworks and ice cream socials.

Fiddlers ReStrung is a string ensemble comprising over 20 students of Saline High School who are featured at over 60 performances a year, all of whom share in producing a unique ensemble truly their own. The organization is officially sponsored and supported by Saline Area Schools and Saline Community Education. Students are chosen based not only on musical talent, but personal maturity as well as balancing a demanding performance schedule while maintaining high standards in other school activities, sports, and academics.

For additional information on Fiddlers ReStrung, please contact Rebecca Groeb-Driskill Cultural Arts Specialist, Saline Area Schools at (734) 429-8020 or visit the website www.fiddlersrestrung.com. 

More News from Saline

• World War II Veteran George Renton Was Part Owner of Draw Tite Trailer Hitch Company George Alexander Renton formerly of Belleville, Good Hart, and Harbor Springs, Michigan, passed away at the age of 103 .
• Saline Twirlettes Golf Outing is June 9 The Saline Twirlettes hold a golf outing June 9 at Brookside Golf Course in Saline.