POTOMAC VALLEY SCOTTISH FIDDLE CLUB

Elke Baker, Music Director (301) 854-9161
Julie Gorka, President (703) 751-5168

The Potomac Valley Scottish Fiddle Club is for people who like Scottish fiddle music--whether you play it, want to learn it, or just like listening.

Sheet music of Scottish tunes, clearly written and with chords, is provided at every monthly meeting and mailed to members who can't attend meetings. The music comes from a wide variety of sources, old and new, published and unpublished, and by the end of each year members have collected a book of Scottish tunes unavailable at any store.  Book I contains tunes from the 1993-1994 year and a new book has been added each year.

Monthly meetings in the Greater Washington area, usually second Sundays, begin with a workshop taught by Scottish fiddler Elke Baker, a former National Champion and a nationally recognized teacher of Scottish Fiddling. New tunes are taught by ear and from written music. We take a break for a potluck dinner, and follow it with a jam session. All levels of musicians are welcome. All instruments are welcome. Beginners will find the workshop useful, and advanced players will enjoy trading tunes at the session. Each workshop focuses on a theme. Some of the past themes:

The Fiddle Club sponsors events including occasional workshops with guest fiddlers, performances at festivals and dances,concerts and fiddling competitions. Guests have included Scottish fiddle masterAlasdair Fraser, Cape Breton fiddle legend Buddy MacMaster, Boston Scottish Fiddle Club director Ed Pearlman, guitarist Tony Cuffe (formerly of Ossian), Shetland fiddler Catriona Macdonald, accordionist Ian Lowthian. The Fiddle Club has performed at the Washington Folk Festival, the Potomac Celtic Festival, the Virginia Scottish Games, Southern Maryland Celtic Festival, and the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society. Fiddle Club now sponsors a regular Scottish Country Dance party series, several times a year. Fiddle Club members receive discounts to special events. Participation in Fiddle Club performances is open to all members. Rehearsals are scheduled outside of the monthly meetings, and music for the performances is drawn from current Fiddle Club music.

Newsletter arrives by mail, with Fiddle Club news; a Calendar of Events of interest to anyone who likes Scottish music; reviews of Scottish concerts, books, and recordings; essays; a few tunes; information about Scottish fiddle camps, schools, and competitions.

FIDDLE CLUB is a 501(c)3 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION promoting awareness of Scottish music and connected educational and cultural activities and welcomes your support in the form of a tax-deductible charitable contribution, whether or not you choose to be a member.  A Board of Directors, elected each year from the membership, is responsible for handling organizational business.

Membership year begins in October.
Individual membership $25 (Newsletter, sheet music, discounts)
Family membership $35 (Newsletter, sheet music, discounts for the whole family)
Subscription to the Newsletter only $10 (Ask about international rates)

Checks should be made payable to the Potomac Valley Scottish Fiddle Club and sent to Becky Ross, 9200 Brink Rd., Gaithersburg, MD 20882

For more information, contact

Elke Baker
Scottish Fiddle Music
2889 Evergreen Way
Ellicott City MD 21042-1052
U.S.A.
(301) 854-9161
bakerez1@aol.com
www.elkebaker.com