Submitted by Morgan Robertson
A group of local fiddle players, had a very special experience on Friday, December 7th. The group had the opportunity to go and play with Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy in Winkler, Manitoba as part of their “A Celtic Family Christmas” tour. The young musicians drove to Winkler early Friday morning and performed Friday evening to a sold out show of 520 people.
The fiddle players are a part of a larger group called “Focal Point”, which includes vocals and fiddles, and is directed by Jacqueline Walbaum and Donna Turk. Members of the group reside from Redvers, Carlyle, Alameda, Estevan, Forget, Corning, Stoughton, Lampman and Carnduff and range from 12 to 17 years old.
They opened the sold out show with three numbers. It was nerve wracking but the players quickly got comfortable on stage. But that’s not all...they also played in the show finale with Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy! It was an amazing experience to be on stage playing with two of Canada’s finest fiddle players. The kids were very excited and awed at how well the show went.
They are very grateful for the experience. It’s the memory of a lifetime! MacMaster and Leahy were very welcoming and kind to the group. They took photos and signed autographs after the show. It’s easy to say that the group finished the night with smiles on their faces and tunes flowing through their minds.
