ESYO Fiddle Ensemble
Aldo Lavaggi, Fiddle Instructor
(open to string players of the Symphony Orchestra, Repertory Orchestra and String Orchestra)
Designed and open to members of Symphony Orchestra, Repertory Orchestra and String Orchestra, the program begins in March. Students participate in a minimum of six rehearsals led by Aldo Lavaggi for a final performance to conclude the program.
Why Fiddle?
Learn beautiful melodies and energetic dance tunes from around the world, including jigs and reels from the British Isles, polskas from Sweden, and old-time American tunes. Fiddle music is traditionally dance music, and in this workshop, we will learn how to play with groove and rhythm so people will want to get up and move. Learn to play by ear, harmonize, improvise, create rhythmic accompaniments, and jam with friends in this traditional music workshop.
Aldo Lavaggi is a multi-instrumentalist, performer, and music teacher living near Hudson NY. For over 20 years, Aldo has been a passionate ambassador of traditional music and dance, giving workshops in public and private schools across New York, Massachusetts, and Vermont. He is the director of “Fiddles in the Forest,” a new music camp for young strings players held at the Ashokan Center in Olive Bridge, NY. He is a Certified Waldorf Teacher, Spacial Dynamics Level I practitioner, and advocate of contextualized learning. A Co-founder of the Columbia County Contradance, currently in its 15th season, Aldo loves building community resilience through folk dancing and music. Together with his group, The Russet Trio, Aldo has performed at summer music festivals around the region such as Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, Jacobs Pillow Dance Festival, and Ashokan Music and Dance Camps (amongst others). Aldo is thrilled to collaborate with the NYS Youth Orchestra.
Instructor: Aldo Lavaggi
Manager: David Bebe
Rehearsal Times and Location:
Therehearsals are scheduled on Sunday afternoons from 2:30-4:30 pm. All rehearsals will take place at Brown School in Schenectady.
Rehearsal Dates: 3/2, 3/9, 3/16, 3/23, 4/6, 4/13, 4/27, 5/4 (Dress Rehearsal)
Concert dates:
The Concert will be on 5/11 (Mother’s Day)
Additionally, there may be other music events throughout the spring season for fiddle ensemble members.
Eligible Instruments: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass
Other instruments may participate upon approval. Please contact David Bebe at dbebe@esyo.org with any request to join the Fiddle Ensemble with an instrument other than violin, viola, cello or double bass.