Music_championship_09-29

Jeff Green | Jul 23, 2009

At last year’s competition Mitchell Barker-Gibson and Joan Shepherd

Joan Shepherd, one of the founders of the Frontenac Old Time Music Championships and the Bedford Jam sessions, is excited about this year’s championships, which are set to take place this weekend at the Piccadilly hall in Godfrey, the former home of the bi-monthly jam sessions that recently moved to the Bedford Hall.

This year’s championships are gearing up to be an even bigger event than last year.

Classes for singers of all ages have been added to the lineup of guitar, banjo, mandolin and fiddle classes and, according to Joan, entries this year will likely surpass those of last year. The event officially received its registered charity status and word of mouth has helped to build a growing base of fans and participants.

This year’s event will be emceed on Sunday by radio host Brother Brian of Queen’s University Radio station CFRC, and on Saturday by Ellice Wolfreys of Amherst Island radio station CJAI 92.1FM and Harold Ball of Crimson River.

Guest musicians for the weekend will include Jan Fox, Mindee Fillion, Berna Jacob, Kim Tyson, Ralph and Carol McInnes and Jon McLurg of Crooked Wood.

Also new to the event will be a silent auction and a raffle for an acoustic Blueridge Bristol guitar and hard shell case valued at $350, donated by Norm and Vivian Mattice. A number of door prizes, including overnight stays at various Kingston hotels and meals at local restaurants will be announced, one per hour during the two-day event.

The goal of the championship is to “preserve and promote the rich heritage of old time music and offer young people in the community a chance to show off their musical talents.”

Improving musical education in public schools is another goal of the event. Funds raised this year will go to Prince Charles Public School in Verona and will be used to purchase new instruments for their music program.

Joan also hopes that the event “will develop a mind set of practising to better one’s self regardless of what challenges our young musicians may face in their future and provide a network of relationships that will give valuable contacts through a contestant’s future endeavors.”

Joan says that the competition is not just for the young musicians; categories are open to all ages.

Tickets are priced at $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and there is no charge for children under 12, unless they are competing.

Anyone still interested in competing is encouraged to contact Joan prior to the event at 613-374-5477 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For further event information, please visit www.frontenacoldtimemusic.com

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