Jim Sinclair photos
The Kootenay Fiddle Camp 2013 is history, and history was made with the event that ran July 15 to 19 at Selkirk College's Castlegar campus.
During a week featuring typically hot weather, instructors and students alike sang the praises of the venue which, unlike some other camp locations, is spacious and air-conditioned.
Led by Canadian fiddling legend Gordon Stobbe and eight top-notch colleagues, the fiddle camp has something worthwhile for every level of student, from beginners to advanced. Instruction was also offered for mandolin, guitar and keyboards. There was even one bass fiddle in the mix, thumping along with the supporting group.
The school runs every year at this time and this year the enrollment set a record, surpassing the 80 mark.
Local fiddle player John Milosevic has a hand in staging the event each year along with members of the BC Old Time Fiddlers #9 chapter. This was the 11th annual running of the musical week.
"It was one of the best," said Milosevic who, with wife Sandra hosts an informal music night for instructors, students and anyone with an appreciation for great music. The tune-fest is held on the Wednesday night and appears to be one of the highlights of the week.
Among the 80+ to sign up this year were players whose homes range from Vancouver Island to Manitoba.
For more details on the camp, including instructor bios and an idea of tuition, etc., log on to kootenayfiddlers.com