SCOTTISH FIDDLING

Scottish fiddling differs from other Celtic and folk styles of fiddling, being more precise in it's execution and the energy of the playing, particularly noticeable in the rhythms common to the Strathspey.  Of particular difference are the techniques of bowing, such as hack bowing, snap bowing and the Scottish Snap that contrast with the bowing patterns of Irish fiddling.  There is a large repertoire of variations of rhythms and key signatures and a strong link to the playing of traditional Scottish bagpipes.  For a more detailed description, history and discussion of Scottish fiddling, visit the Fiddling Around the World website here:
WE ARE PROUD TO HOST SCOTTISH FIDDLING COMPETITION AT THE LIGONIER HIGHLAND GAMES.  WE HOPE ALL ACCOMPLISHED AND ASPIRING SCOTTISH FIDDLERS WILL COME AND JOIN US FOR A WONDERFUL DAY AT LIGONIER.  USE THE FORM BELOW TO REGISTER AND PLEASE CONTACT US ABOUT SPECIAL RATES FOR FIDDLING GROUPS AND SCHOOLS/STUDENTS.

SCOTTISH FIDDLING COMPETITION

FIDDLING EVENT GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY:

 THE REV. CANON DR. and MRS. JOHN A. MACDONALD of KINGSBURGH


SPECIAL THANKS TO THE SPONSOR OF OUR TWO SCHOLARSHIPS:
MR. WILLIAM HAMRICK

Additional prizes for fiddling competition generously provided by:
J.R. JUDD VIOLINS

ENTRY FORMS ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE GAMES

2024 FIDDLING ADJUDICATOR
MELINDA CRAWFORD

Melinda Crawford, a sanctioned Scottish F.I.R.E. judge and a former U.S. National Scottish Fiddling Champion, performs frequently for Scottish highland games, Celtic festivals, and concert series throughout the United States and abroad (including a recital for the Lord Lyon of Scotland.)  A Scottish fiddler since the age of eleven, she has won numerous awards for her solo playing and her original compositions.  She also was a finalist for the inaugural Niel Gow International Scottish Fiddle Composition Competition held in Pitlochry, Scotland.   
                                    
A well respected teacher, Melinda is the director of the Strathgheny School of Scottish Fiddling held every year in July at Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA.  She conducts workshops on Scottish fiddling all over the US, has been an instructor at the Jink & Diddle School of Scottish Fiddling in North Carolina, and teaches Scottish fiddling privately and internationally to many students over the internet. She frequently judges Scottish F.I.R.E. competitions at highland games and has judged many previous F.I.R.E. national championships. Melinda has been repeatedly invited to present educational sessions at national conferences to school string teachers about how to teach traditional Scottish fiddling in the classroom. She is also the national president for the Scottish fiddling association for North America, Scottish F.I.R.E.


Melinda is a professor of music at Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA, where she directs Ceòl na Teud, Westminster’s Scottish string ensemble.  She is also the orchestra director, the string education specialist, and violin and viola (and Scottish fiddling) instructor.  Melinda received her doctorate in music education with an emphasis in alternative string pedagogy from The Ohio State University.  She is the author of “A Violinist’s Guide to Scottish Fiddling,” published by Mel Bay.

CLICK THE LINK TO LEARN MORE AND VISIT THE WEBSITE OF

Become a sponsor of the Ligonier Highland Games and help us continue the tradition of preserving and promoting Scottish arts and heritage. Your donation will be recognized on our website and in the souvenir program book.  Other benefits can include V.I.P. seating, hotel accommodation and becoming an honorary chieftain.  Click link above to find out more.

SPONSOR A MEDAL/TROPHY SET FOR AN EVENT
DONATE TO HAVE A MEDAL OR TROPHY NAMED TO HONOR SOMEONE SPECIAL

THE COSTS OF RUNNING THE HIGHLAND GAMES INCREASE EACH YEAR AND OUR FULLY VOLUNTEER STAFF WORKS HARD TO KEEP COSTS DOWN AND GENEROUSLY SUPPORTS THE GAMES TOO.  YOU CAN HELP BY SPONSORING A MEDAL SET FOR AN EVENT FOR $40 OR A TROPHY/PLAQUE SET FOR $80.  SPONSORS WILL RECEIVE A FREE TICKET AND  BE LISTED ON THE WEBSITE AND IN THE PROGRAM BOOK.

SPONSOR A SCHOLARSHIP

SCHOLARSHIP  SPONSORS WILL RECEIVE TWO FREE TICKETS AND  BE LISTED ON THE WEBSITE AND IN THE PROGRAM BOOK.
REGISTRATIONS ALSO ACCEPTED AT THE GAMES IN PAVILION C 7  

Fiddling REGISTRATION begins in Pavilion C 7
FIDDLE WORKSHOPS
SANCTIONED COMPETITION
FIDDLE EXHIBITION

2021 FIDDLING COMPETITION RESULTS

ST. ANDREWS SOCIETY FIDDLER OF THE DAY AWARD

EMMA  DORMAN

JUNIOR OPEN COMPETITION WINNER

BRIANNA COBBEY

2021 FIDDLING COMPETITORS

2021 SENIOR OPEN COMPETITION
1st PLACE: Emma Dorman
2nd PLACE: Allison McNight
3rd PLACE: Curt Hoganson
2021 JUNIOR OPEN COMPETITION
1st PLACE: Brianna Cobbey
2nd PLACE: Halie Ryan
3rd PLACE: Eilidh Fisher
4th PLACE: Emma Balega

2019 FIDDLING COMPETITION RESULTS

ST. ANDREWS SOCIETY FIDDLER OF THE DAY AWARD

EMMA DORMAN

BRIANNA COBBEY JUNIOR OPEN COMPETITION WINNER

2019 SENIOR OPEN COMPETITION
1st PLACE: Emma Dorman
2nd PLACE: Allison McNight
3rd PLACE: Jerry Agin
2019 JUNIOR OPEN COMPETITION
1st PLACE: Brianna Cobbey
2nd PLACE: Haley Ryan
2019 NOVICE CATEGORY
1st PLACE: Karen Shamir
2nd PLACE: Michael Nicholsen
3rd PLACE: Emma Balega

2018 FIDDLING COMPETITION RESULTS

ST. ANDREWS SOCIETY FIDDLER OF THE DAY AWARD
Emma Dorman
Picture
EMMA DORMAN
NOVICE CATEGORY
1st PLACE: Joshua Bartosky
2nd PLACE: Karen Shamir
3rd PLACE: Emma Balega
Picture
JOSHUA BARTOSKY
JUNIOR CATEGORY
1st PLACE: Emma Dorman
2nd PLACE: Tomer Shamir
3rd PLACE: Brianna Cobbey

OPEN COMPETITION
1st PLACE: Curt Hoganson
2nd PLACE: Jerry Agin
Picture
CURT HOGANSON
SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
Emma Dorman
Tomer Shamir
Picture
EMMA DORMAN
Picture
TOMER SHAMIR
FIDDLE CHALLENGE COMPETITION
1st PLACE: Brianna Cobbey
2nd PLACE: Emma Dorman
3rd PLACE: Curt Hoganson
Picture
BRIANNA COBBEY

2017 FIDDLING COMPETITION RESULTS

ST. ANDREWS SOCIETY FIDDLER OF THE DAY AWARD
Tomer Shamir

BEST MARCH
Curt Hoganson

NOVICE CATEGORY
1st PLACE: Peter Van Osdol

JUNIOR CATEGORY
1st PLACE: Tomer Shamir
2nd PLACE: Emma Dorman
3rd PLACE: Will Dorman

OPEN COMPETITION
1st PLACE: Curt Hoganson

SCHOLARSHIP WORKSHOP WINNERS
Tomer Shamir
Emma Dorman

2017 FIDDLING COMPETITION WINNERS

From Left: Will Dorman 3rd place junior, Emma Dorman 2nd place junior, Melinda Crawford-Perttu judge, Peter Van Osdol 1st place novice, Tomer Shamir 1st place junior, Curt Hoganson 1st place open

2017 FIDDLER OF THE DAY

Melinda Crawford-Perttu and fiddler of the day Tomer Shamir

2016 FIDDLING RESULTS

ST. ANDREWS SOCIETY FIDDLER OF THE DAY AWARD
Tomer Shamir

BEST STRATHSPEY & REEL
Emma Dorman

JUNIOR CATEGORY
1st PLACE: Tomer Shamir
2nd PLACE: Emma Dorman

OPEN COMPETITION
1st PLACE: Sue Tillotson
2nd PLACE: Curt Hoganson
3rd PLACE: Tom Summers

Tomer Shamir and the Fiddler of the Day Trophy

Ed Pearlman with the 2016 Fiddling winners