2006 Strings Alive Fiddle Contest Winners Announced!

Results for 2007 and 2005 Contests

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Fiddle Contest Impresses and Amazes Audience

The Shuswap Violin Society's Fourth annual Strings Alive Fiddle Contest May 26, 2006 featured twenty-nine performances from area violinists of all ages. The SAGA Art Gallery in Salmon Arm, BC Canada was packed with music lovers from cities as far away as Kamloops and Kelowna.

Judging were area violinists/fiddlers Dr. Warren Bell of Salmon Arm and Anjuli Otter and Kate Parnell of Vernon. SVS President and contest coordinator Rhiannon Schmitt (also of Fiddleheads.ca) emceed.

“This was the smoothest contest we've hosted yet,” said Schmitt. “The players were very well prepared and the audience was astonished at the high caliber of performances. I enjoyed the 'oohs and ahhs' of appreciation and amazement.”

The evening started with players ages 3 to 7 in the “Small-Fry” class. First place winner of the Beginner Small Fry was Jamé Wonacott (7) and the Intermediate winner was Colin Robinson (8), both of Salmon Arm.

Next was the Junior classes for ages 8 to 12. Nine competitors signed up for this class and the judges broke it into three smaller classes by age. Intermediate Junior first place winners were Chloe Davidson (8) of Kelowna, Mary Ross (11) of Salmon Arm and Amy Caughlin (12) of Eagle Bay.

A “Twin Fiddles” category was a new addition to the contest. Much to the audience's delight Chloe Davidson returned to the stage with brother Kyle (6) and the pair won first place.

The Teen category only saw two entires by two fifteen-year-olds. Violist Thea Mongerson of Tappen took a well-deserved first place in the Beginner class. Intermediate teen winner was Celista's Liam Gaw, a previous winner in past SVS contests.

Rhiannon Schmitt made a special mention of Mindy Buchanan, a Salmon Arm senior, who was the only adult “brave enough to get on stage with all those talented kids” and whom won first place in Intermediate Adult.

The final order of the evening was an open invitation to all the performers to compete for the prestigious “Grand Champion” class. Nine players competed and Chloe Davidson won her third award for the evening. Her name will be added to the Golden Fiddle perpetual trophy and is the current Grand Champion.

Chloe's mother, Celeste, says she had asked her children if they wanted to compete in the Grand Champion class as the call for volunteers went out. She was surprised when both raised their hands and went up on stage. “It was a real surprise because I don't push the competitions. We came out to the contest because I justed them to be inspired by other kids.”

The Davidson children are no strangers to the stage. With their mother accompanying they perform a diverse 45-minute show at various festivals and events in the Okanagan.

"They like to put a smile on people's faces when they play," said Celeste. Chloe said "It was a good place to have fun and try and win things!"

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This release is also available on the Shuswap Violin Society Website

VISIT Fiddle Contest 2005 Results