MacPhail Presents: Tradition Lives! A Celebration of Fiddle Music

Tradition Lives! celebrates the living tradition of fiddle music—music passed from one generation to the next, continually reshaped by the musicians who embrace it while remaining connected to its roots. Performed by Slipjig (MacPhail faculty member Christopher Becknell, fiddle, and David Crittenden, guitar), the program journeys through traditional fiddle music from Ireland, Scotland, French Canada, Cajun Louisiana, and Appalachia, alongside original compositions and imaginative arrangements that demonstrate how these traditions continue to inspire new artistic expression. Brief introductions throughout the concert will illuminate the history and evolution of the music, inviting audiences to hear familiar and unfamiliar repertoire with fresh ears. 

The concert culminates in a collaborative performance featuring the Young Fiddlers of Minnesota, joined by Slipjig and MacPhail faculty members Austin Wahl (mandolin), Ruth Bergman (fiddle), and Susan Crawford (fiddle). Together, students and faculty will perform a spirited set of traditional tunes celebrating the passing of music from teacher to student and generation to generation—and demonstrating how tradition is renewed every time it is learned, shared, and performed.