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The 2008 Bursary
Awards Committee reviewed 21 applications for this year's awards. There
were many strong applications. The following award winners were
announced at the May Jam.
Junior Award: Quinn Bachand
(Read a review)
Teen Award: Nellie Quinn
Adult Award: Lisa Hitch
'Spirit' Award: Allegra
Bonifacio
Congratulations
to our winners, and thanks to all the entrants who again proved that
fiddlers are among the most interesting and talented people in the
world.
Highlights from the 2008
Bursary Applications
Question: "How
do you feel about sharing your music with other people?"
I feel that everyone should be exposed to fiddle music. Music is
one of the few ways you can express your emotions, and the
violin is a wonderful way to connect to your feelings and
express them. Fiddle music is so enlightening, every time I pick
up my instrument to practise, the moment I begin to play a tune,
I can just feel myself getting into the music like the notes are
just flowing through my body. Sometimes without thinking, I take
the violin for granted, but once I pick it up, I know that being
able to play is a blessing, and I think everyone who has the
chance to learn, most definitely should.
What I enjoy about fiddle music is that it can bring
communities, families and friends together for a good time like
at jams and dances. It always makes me feel good and I like the
way the music is so contagious and can make people stomp their
feet, clap their hands and hopefully forget their troubles even
if it is just for a little while. It can build confidence and
encourage teamwork. It is a sharing of a common language that is
universal with no need for words, just an intimate understanding
that the world has a chance. I also love the fact that fiddle
music doesn't have to be "perfect" and that sometimes mistakes
can become just a fun part of the tune.
I think that every time you share your music you save a little
piece of our earth and if we all band together maybe we can make
the world a better place. My goal is to help spread the love of
music and creativity throughout the world.
I'm part of the Twisted String group now and I am teaching
Oliver tunes to anyone who wants to learn them just so I can
give them an orange ribbon and let them know why Oliver's music
is so important.
I would use the money so I can be my full fiddle potential and
so I can become pro so I can share my love of the instrument by
teaching and so when I'm good enough to have a program for
families who can't afford lessons and instruments. And I will
hold monthly dances with proceeds supporting that program.
In the long term I'd like to use my skills to help others join
in the fun. In the long, long term I'd like to set up a
retirement home for old fiddlers so that when we have all the
time in the world, we can all keep jamming into the sunset...
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