We're delighted that Fiddle Hell will happen at the Westford Regency in Westford, MA, Nov 3-6, 2022. While the last 4 online Fiddle Hells have been wonderful, it'll be great to be IN PERSON once again as we've been for 17 years! 

Here are some helpful things to know for attendees at Fiddle Hell. These are subject to change by the FH organizers at their discretion. 

IN-PERSON: Fiddle Hell will be an entirely in-person festival in November. Meet up and jam with your old friends and make new ones! Sessions will not be recorded for replays online.

SESSIONS: We'll have about 410 sessions, with 20 concerts, 32 instructor-led jams, and 360 workshops! And there will be lots of informal jam spots as always. While all acoustic instruments are welcome, the main tracks are for fiddle, mandolin, guitar, banjo, cello, and singing, at 4 different levels. Have fun with your fellow musicians as you absorb techniques, styles, tunes, and history, from an amazing set of instructors.

INSTRUCTORS: We have a great staff of about 75 instructors and performers. The detailed schedule will be published September 2nd, including session descriptions, instruments, levels, and instructors.

REGISTRATION: Tickets will cover all 4 days (Th-Fr-Sa-Su) or 2 days (Th-Fr or Sa-Su). Tickets are on sale now on our Registration Page. There are discounts for senior and junior players, and for current members of ASTA (American String Teachers Association). Total tickets are limited, with no walk-in admissions at the FH event itself. 

COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS: FH has followed current conditions to determine FH COVID protocols so our event can take place in a safe and comfortable way for all participants. We have also looked at best practices from other music camps and festivals. More details in our Q&A here; essentials below:
(1) We are setting ticket limits and requiring pre-registration so there will be fewer people at FH than in the past. 
(2) For all FH attendees, instructors, and staff, we'll require proof at check-in time of current COVID-19 vaccination and at least one booster (if eligible).
(3) On the morning of your first day of FH we require all attendees, instructors, and staff to perform a rapid (15-minute) COVID test and to have a clear negative result, before arriving at FH Registration.
(4) Masks are welcome and encouraged.  However, they are not required, with the exception of attendees of singing sessions and the Saturday Night Concert (which is 23 sessions out of 410).
(5) All FH attendees, instructors, and staff are required to sign an attendee agreement that protects you and others. 

ROOM RESERVATIONS: Hotel room reservations at the Westford Regency will be available only to registered attendees, on a first-come, first-served basis. Rates are $108/night/room, plus taxes.  If you wish to book a room, please call the Westford Regency Inn AFTER you have bought your FH ticket and have received your FH code for the hotel in your confirmation email. Once the Westford Regency rooms are sold out, the hotel will maintain a waiting list. Sister hotel Boxboro Regency is 15 minutes away and will match the FH room rate. There are other hotels nearby, but they are not matching the FH room rate. Or just commute if you live close enough.

LOGISTICS: We'll use Whova software (optional on your smartphone, tablet, or computer) for the detailed agenda, to provide handouts, and to add an exciting channel of connection within our FH community. Whova was very helpful at the last 4 online FH festivals and participants really liked it. We’ll also have printed grids, but not extensive program booklets. Food and drinks will be available at the hotel and nearby. The hotel has free parking and a large parking lot.

NEXT ONLINE FH: The next ONLINE Fiddle Hell will be April 13-16, 2023.

To keep us safe, we reimagined Fiddle Hell as an online festival and music camp in November, 2020. It was an exciting new way for our music community to reconnect during the pandemic. 35 concerts, 35 jams and 165 workshops were all live, with video replays for the next 3 months. Although we missed seeing our musical friends face-to-face, and jamming with them in the hallways, we had front-row seats for every virtual session, and were joined by new attendees and instructors from around the world!

We had such a good time that we ran a second Fiddle Hell Online on April 15-18, 2021!  And a third FHO on November 4-7, 2021!

And a fourth FHO on April 7-10, 2022! We had many new instructors and new sessions. There were 180 live workshops to learn from, 35 live concerts to enjoy, and 35 live jam sessions to join on Zoom, for fiddle, mandolin, cello, guitar, old-time banjo, & singing. Other instruments and listeners were welcome, too. Fiddle Hell instructors -- experienced & supportive teachers, and wonderful & inspiring players -- covered Bluegrass, Blues, Cajun, Cape Breton, East European, Electric, Irish, Jazz, Jazz Manouche, Klezmer, Latin, Mexican, New Acoustic, New England, Old-Time Southern, Québécois, Scottish, Swedish, and Swing styles. 

Historical and technical workshops were on the program in addition to tune and style learning --Using Music to Confront Racism, History of the Blues, African Americans & the Banjo, Old-Time Tunes of an Enslaved Fiddler, How to Learn Tunes by Ear, Improve Your Timing & Speed, Bow Chopping and Strum Bowing, Improvisation, Ornaments, Connecting the Tune to the Dance Floor, Looping & Effects, OT Bow Rocking, Building Blocks for Jazz Solos, Charanga Riffs, Tools of Creativity for Mandolin, Guitar Backup in several styles, Cello Accompaniment Techniques, Singing with Strength, Making an Instructional Video, and many more.  and many more. Workshops and jams are designed for Beginners, Low Intermediates, High Intermediates, and Advanced players, although you can attend or replay any sessions you like.

These inspiring and incredible sessions were a great value for players and listeners.   Attending FHO is not only an amazing experience, it’s a way for you to support and connect with these wonderful instructors and performers. Attendees have said that their broad opportunities for learning (tunes, styles, instruments, techniques), gains in musical inspiration, and renewed connections with the community were priceless! Discounts are always provided for seniors and young musicians, and there are further discounts and many giveaways (books, lessons, CDs, a beautiful fiddle, and free workshops) for early bird signups. Scholarships based on financial need are available.

Attendance and participation at FHO are from your laptop, desktop, tablet, phone, or other device. You'll be viewing replays conveniently reached (through our event software called "Whova") from a web browser or mobile app. At face-to-face Fiddle Hell, you had to make a difficult choice of where to go in each time slot; for FHO, you'll be able to replay videos of prior sessions for 4 months, so you won't miss your favorite instructors, workshop topics, jams, and performers. Optionally, you can access the FHO online community once you register, for discussions, messaging, virtual exhibitors, and technical help if you need it.

The next Fiddle Hell Online is scheduled for April 13-16, 2023. 

On behalf of Fiddle Hell and my family, we hope you are doing ok, staying healthy, and coping with the difficult changes to everyday life. We had a great time jamming, learning, and having fun with you in April! It was a time for friendship and reconnection, and for awesome learning and listening. We'll see you in November!

Warmly,
Dave Reiner