“Home for the Holidays Concert" at Skye

SOUTH CARTHAGE -- New England Celtic Arts will present the Franklin County Fiddlers, past and present, at Skye Theatre Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. on Saturday. A pot luck supper will precede the concert starting at 5 p.m.

A familiar situation happens every year at all schools throughout Maine and the rest of the nation at graduation time. Although there is great anticipation about future plans of college, summer jobs, and freedom from the education process, there is also a sense of separation and the realization that things will never be the same.

Most students in rural Maine spend a great deal of time together especially during the high school years. This is especially true in rural Franklin County where there has been a very strong music component with the Franklin County Fiddlers for nearly two decades. The program is so strong that it has fostered a music culture within the region under the leadership of Steve Muise in MSAD #9. Muise created and founded the Franklin County Fiddlers program in 1993. He was searching for a way to motivate his orchestra students and it seemed natural to blend his "alternative styles" string playing into a group that can perform and explore a variety of non-classical string playing.

A couple of years ago Phill McIntyre, director at Skye Theatre Performing Arts Center, observed that anytime any of the departing seniors were performing, individually or in small groups within the region, all of the former and current members of the Franklin County Fiddlers were not only there to support but filled the front rows. It was very clear that although graduation was long over and the Summer was drawing to a close, these young musicians were not quite ready to part and go their separate ways. From this seed was born the "Home for the Holidays Concert."

The word has gone out and many former musicians, from the past 19 years the program has been in place, will be returning to Maine for the holidays and a very special gathering and time of sharing.

Reservations are strongly suggested by calling 562-4445. Skye Theater is located three miles west of East Dixfield village at 2 Highland Dr. off Winter Hill Road and Rt. 2 in South Carthage. Ticket price is $15 or by donation at the door.