Fiddle Hell is in person in November - but we use a helpful app called "Whova". 

Whova is the online event system that helps you access agenda details, download handouts, see messages and announcements, visit the virtual exhibits, ask questions about sessions or in general, and (optionally) connect with other attendees.

Whova is optional at Fiddle Hell, but we highly recommend using it on your phone, tablet, or laptop during the Festival. The attendees at the last four ONLINE Fiddle Hells have used Whova and been quite pleased with it. We'll assist you with Whova if needed when you're at Fiddle Hell.

Once you've bought your Fiddle Hell ticket, you'll need to set up your Whova account and sign in as described below. This can be done any time after Sept 15.

*** Helpful Links ***
For iPhones and iPads, here's the Whova app you're looking for in the App Store preview: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/whova-event-conference-app/id716979741 
Here's how to get apps on an iPad: https://support.apple.com/guide/ipad/get-apps-ipad9b4cea76/ipados 
For Android phones and Android tablets, here's the Whova app you're looking for in the Play Store preview: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.whova.event  
For laptops and desktops, no app is needed. The Whova Web portal for Fiddle Hell is at https://fiddlehellwestford.com 
*** End of Helpful Links ***

For smart phones, iPads, tablets or other mobile devices, download the Whova Event & Conference App.
If you already have a Whova account (perhaps from Fiddle Hell Online), sign in with your email address and password, and look for the event "Fiddle Hell In-Person - Fall 2023". You might have to search events for "fiddle" to find the right one. If you don't have a Whova account, sign up with the same exact email address used for your registration as an attendee and a password you create, and then look for the event.

For a LAPTOP or DESKTOP computer, ideally with the Chrome browser, go to www.fiddlehellwestford.com (not fiddlehell.com).
If you already have a Whova account (perhaps from Fiddle Hell Online), sign in with your email address and password. If you don't have a Whova account, where it says "Don't have an account?" click "Sign up here". Sign in with the same exact email address used for your registration as an attendee, and create a new password. On a laptop or desktop computer, you don't need to download any software - the Whova Web Portal is browser-based.

Troubleshooting:
If you are asked for an "invitation code" when you're using an iPad or other mobile device to set up your Whova account, make sure to download the Whova Event & Conference App first and use the App to set up your account. Then you should be able to see Fiddle Hell right away as one of "My Events" or you can seach for it in "Find My Event".

If you are asked for an "invitation code" when you're using a laptop or desktop to set up your Whova account, it's usually because you're using a different email address than the one you gave when you bought your Fiddle Hell ticket. Please try again, using the same email address you gave when you bought your FH ticket. Fiddle Hell staff can help if needed.

Questions?
Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

During FH, at posted times (on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday), a technical help person will be available in the Registration Room. You'll also find that quite a few attendees, instructors, and staff members are familiar with Whova from using it at the five Fiddle Hell Online Festivals we've had and also the in-person FH in 2022. 

Also, you may find the answers you need (how to sign in, how to use Whova) at our Q&A page. 

Before or during Fiddle Hell, you can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  It may take a little while to help you out; please be patient.

You can ask questions to the Whova support staff by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Sessions on the agenda are arranged by date and time, with 30 minute breaks (generally) between sessions. 

At many time slots, you'll find a  CONCERT . At most time slots, you'll find a  JAM  and up to 16  WORKSHOPs .

 WORKSHOPs   are listed in order of difficulty for a given time slot. 
 L1    L2    L3    L4  describe levels of difficulty and pace (more info on levels here).
 Styles  describe various traditional music styles; many sessions cover more than one style.  
 Instruments  are those targeted by the workshop or jam.

Instructors (not always in order) are shown with the instruments they're using for this session.
Descriptions give you exciting details of workshops.
Use the date and track filters to focus on particular attributes, or use the very helpful search box.
Click on an instructor's name to see bio and sessions.
The schedule is subject to changes in session days, times and details.

There are 20 concerts, 35 jams, and 325 workshops. During each of the four days Nov 2-5, we'll alternate 60-minute sessions with 30-minute breaks. A few sessions will be 70 minutes instead, with a 20-minute break at the end. In many time slots, you'll find a concert. In most time slots, we'll have a jam, and up to 15 workshops (except during the Saturday Night Concert).

To decide which sessions to attend, look at the style (such as Old-Time, Irish, Scottish, New England, Bluegrass, etc.), the target instruments (such as fiddle, cello, guitar, mandolin, banjo, ...), the instructors or performers, the level of the session, and of course the session title and description. It's fun to stretch out and try a new style or instrument - or just to relax and watch a fun concert.

You can attend any sessions you want without the need to sign up for them. A few sessions may have capacity limits based on room size.

1. Sign in if you haven’t already (using your email address and Whova password) to www.fiddlehellwestford.com [on a phone or tablet, sign in to the app instead]
   
   
2. You will see the Home page of Fiddle Hell on Whova, with a big banner, words of welcome, and a menu on the left. Here are the magical menu choices to help you navigate to different parts of Fiddle Hell:

3. Click on Agenda > Sessions on the menu to get a Full Agenda of all sessions. As you look at the sessions, you can make your own agenda by clicking on "Add to My Agenda" on the right of a session. Next to the words “Full Agenda” at the top, click on “My Agenda” to see only those sessions you have added to “My Agenda”. Click on “Full Agenda” to go back to seeing everything. 
   
   
4. You can filter sessions at the top left. Where it says “Filter by tracks” click on “Tracks” at the top to turn off all checkmarks, and then select the track you want (by type, style, level, instrument). Click “Tracks” at the top again to turn off filtering. You can also choose the day just below that – Thu, Fri, Sat, or Sun.  
   
   
5. You can search for sessions across all days at the top middle search box. This is very helpful - it finds titles, instructors, and descriptions. If search doesn’t show what you expect, turn off filtering (#4 above). If you want to see sessions for a particular instructor, enter all or part of their name.
   
   
6. When you see a session of interest, click on the View Session button to read more about it or to ask a question in the Session Q&A.  When you’re viewing a particular session, you can add it to or remove it from My Agenda or Like it. [Instructors can also see how many people have added their session to their agenda, and can moderate the Session Q&A for their sessions.] You can experiment to see what Show Agenda and Hide Agenda will do. At any time, you can click on Agenda in the menu column to restore the initial Full Agenda view.

Here's how to view and download handouts from specific workshops and jams (or even all sessions).

Attend a mixture of concerts, jams, and workshops. 

Take time off for friends, informal jams, food, and walking around (or stretching).

Stay hydrated.

Late night jams are fun, but you might want to sleep in a bit the next morning.

Remember, you'll have an extra hour of sleep Saturday night due to turning clocks back at 2AM Sunday morning!

Helpful videos! Of course, not everyone does it the same way. And, change your strings at your own risk.

Fiddle - Short Version from SHAR Music
Fiddle - Long Version from Kennedy Violins
Cello - Medium Version from Nan Kemberling
Mandolin - Short Version from Long & McQuade
Mandolin - Long Version from Nate Lee
Guitar - Short Version from Martin Guitars
Old-Time Banjo - Long Version from Deering Banjo Co
Old-Time Banjo - Quite Long Version from BanjoLemonade

After the 4 days of FHO, please help us make Fiddle Hell better by filling out our anonymous survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FiddleHellNov2023

We read all responses carefully!