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WELCOME TO THE WESTERN OPEN FIDDLE FAMILY!
Wherever people were gathered—in parlors or on back porches; at family get-togethers, barn-raisings, or schoolhouse dances, making music was our forefather’s primary entertainment. A fiddler was often called upon to play from memory the tunes taught to him by a father, uncle, or friend, They danced Irish jigs, English quadrilles, Scottish hornpipes, waltzes, and schottisches, all of which originated in the Old Country and were passed down from generation to generation. Sometimes these gatherings included fiddle contests, and there are reports of fiddle conventions and contests in the mid 1700’s. Their popularity spread, and now you can find fiddle contests in every one of these United States and Canada. The California State Old Time Fiddle Association (CSOTFA) was organized in Oroville in 1969 as a 501(c)(3) educational non-profit, whose mission is to educate about and perpetuate the art and cultural heritage of fiddle music. The Western Open Fiddle Championships were founded in 1982 in Redding as the “performance arm” of District 6 of the CSOTFA. On October 24-26, 2024, we will celebrate our 41st annual contest at the Tehama District Fairgrounds, having moved to Red Bluff 26 years ago. The Western Open provides motivation and a showcase for youngsters of all ages who practice all year for this event. We draw contestants and audience members from throughout the United States and Canada to what is one of the largest and most important fiddle contests in the Western United States. When we reflect upon the 41 years of the Western Open, it is the people who have made it so special. This year, our judges will be coming from Tennessee, Oklahoma, Idaho, Colorado, and Washington. They come not only to judge the various contests, but to play music with their “Fiddle Family.” Contestants come from all over the United States, but we also have people come who don’t play any instrument, but come to listen and share in the history and fantastic music from many different styles that you’ll hear at the Western Open. Many of the all- volunteer members of the Western Open Committee have been on board for every contest. We’ve watched some of our “fiddle kids” on their journeys as they competed all the way through the eight fiddle divisions from the Peewee (ages 8 and under) to the Open (any age). Some of those “kids” are now fiddle teachers themselves, and it is with great joy that we watch the children follow in their parents’ footsteps. Several of our “fiddle kids” are enjoying careers in music that began with opportunities to perform on the Western Open stage. With the demise of music programs in our public schools, we are proud to be a part of sustaining the art and cultural heritage of old time fiddle music.
If you would like to make a donation to the Western Open Fiddle Championships you may do so by clicking the PayPal "Buy Now" Button below. The Western Open operates under the direction and oversight of the California State Old Time Fiddlers Dissociation - District 6, A California non-profit and U.S. IRS 501 (c) (3) Charitable corporation, formed to educate and perpetuate the art and cultural heritage of Fiddle Music . All donations are tax deductible - a certificate of donation is available upon request.
In the interest of full disclosure: we pay a small fee to PayPal for the use of their "Buy Now" button. All of the officers for the Western Open donate their time and energy to the event. The significant costs of putting on the Western Open Fiddle Championships result from renting the facilities, purchasing trophies, prize monies, food for judges and committee members, various vendors, sleeping accommodations and stipend for fiddle and picking judges, printing, contest supplies etc.
CONTACT US: Mailing Address: PO Box 101, Red Bluff CA 96080 Phone: (530) 527-6127 Fax: (530) 528-0431 MAP to the Red Bluff Elks Lodge
Click On The Flyer for larger image
We are honored and humbled by the love and support of our Fiddle Family for almost four decades! We’ll start the festivities on Thursday night with our Hymn Sing (renamed from the Gospel Jam we have had the past two years.) This is fast becoming a favorite community event and celebrates gospel music which has deep roots in the country tradition. We’ll have various bands performing; hand out lyrics; and join all our voices in celebrating the grand old hymns. We’re bringing back the ever-popular Junior Jukebox on Friday evening and then we are having a special celebration for those musicians who had their musical beginnings here in the North State—in District 6 and at the Western Open—who went on to win State and/or National Championships. We will be showcasing just a few of these homegrown success stories in our Champions in Concert. Check the complete tentative schedule elsewhere on this website and make your plans to join us at the 37th Western Open Fiddle Championships.
WELCOME TO THE WESTERN OPEN FIDDLE FAMILY!
If you would like to make a donation to the Western Open Fiddle Championships you may do so by clicking the PayPal "Buy Now" Button below. The Western Open operates under the direction and oversight of the California State Old Time Fiddlers Dissociation - District 6, A California non- profit and U.S. IRS 501 (c) (3) Charitable corporation, formed to educate and perpetuate the art and cultural heritage of Fiddle Music . All donations are tax deductible - a certificate of donation is available upon request.
In the interest of full disclosure: we pay a small fee to PayPal for the use of their "Buy Now" button. All of the officers for the Western Open donate their time and energy to the event. The significant costs of putting on the Western Open Fiddle Championships result from renting the facilities, purchasing trophies, prize monies, food for judges and committee members, various vendors, sleeping accommodations and stipend for fiddle and picking judges, printing, contest supplies etc.
CONTACT US: Mailing Address: PO Box 101, Red Bluff CA 96080 Phone: (530) 527-6127 Fax: (530) 528-0431 MAP to the Red Bluff Elks Lodge
Click On The Fliers for larger images.
Wherever people were gathered—in parlors or on back porches; at family get-togethers, barn-raisings, or schoolhouse dances, making music was our forefather’s primary entertainment. A fiddler was often called upon to play from memory the tunes taught to him by a father, uncle, or friend, They danced Irish jigs, English quadrilles, Scottish hornpipes, waltzes, and schottisches, all of which originated in the Old Country and were passed down from generation to generation. Sometimes these gatherings included fiddle contests, and there are reports of fiddle conventions and contests in the mid 1700’s. Their popularity spread, and now you can find fiddle contests in every one of these United States and Canada. The California State Old Time Fiddle Association (CSOTFA) was organized in Oroville in 1969 as a 501(c)(3) educational non-profit, whose mission is to educate about and perpetuate the art and cultural heritage of fiddle music. The Western Open Fiddle Championships were founded in 1982 in Redding as the “performance arm” of District 6 of the CSOTFA. On October 24-26, 2024, we will celebrate our 41st annual contest at the Tehama District Fairgrounds, having moved to Red Bluff 26 years ago. The Western Open provides motivation and a showcase for youngsters of all ages who practice all year for this event. We draw contestants and audience members from throughout the United States and Canada to what is one of the largest and most important fiddle contests in the Western United States. When we reflect upon the 41 years of the Western Open, it is the people who have made it so special. This year, our judges will be coming from Tennessee, Oklahoma, Idaho, Colorado, and Washington. They come not only to judge the various contests, but to play music with their “Fiddle Family.” Contestants come from all over the United States, but we also have people come who don’t play any instrument, but come to listen and share in the history and fantastic music from many different styles that you’ll hear at the Western Open. Many of the all- volunteer members of the Western Open Committee have been on board for every contest. We’ve watched some of our “fiddle kids” on their journeys as they competed all the way through the eight fiddle divisions from the Peewee (ages 8 and under) to the Open (any age). Some of those “kids” are now fiddle teachers themselves, and it is with great joy that we watch the children follow in their parents’ footsteps. Several of our “fiddle kids” are enjoying careers in music that began with opportunities to perform on the Western Open stage. With the demise of music programs in our public schools, we are proud to be a part of sustaining the art and cultural heritage of old time fiddle music.