Fiddle Me This - Funtastic Fiddling and Hiking at “Music of Nature” Event

On a warm summer night in August while the cicadas sang in the woods at Johnson Nature Center, our very own Music of Nature Violin Circle group gathered by the pond to perform a variety of selections to accompany the nightly evening chorus and entertain community guests. A variety of fiddle music  was shared including lively Appalachian and New England Tunes, Métis (Native American and French) Fiddle music, which connects deeply to the heritage of this region and Square Dance tunes which were a favorite of Henry Ford at Lovett Hall in Dearborn. Ford would have appreciated the lively rendition of Turkey in the Straw, an ode to our wild turkeys on the property! 

After the performance, community guests and performers were invited to join our lead Naturalist, Cass Arsenault on an interactive hike to discover the many species that combine together to create the serene and beautiful natural chorus. We reflected on how music imitates nature and how the two connect to create a wonderful respite while at the same time fostering a sense of community and stewardship for the environment. 

Many thanks to Michael Francis, professional violinist/fiddler, for his knowledge, collaboration and expertise, and to our talented and enthusiastic Violin Circle performers Carson Barnes, Henry Jackson, Liam Tsimhoni, Roee Tsimhoni and Natalie Tsimhoni who met for musical sessions in August at the Nature Center to share music, creativity and awesome perspectives with honing the art of traditional fiddling for this event. 

“Fiddling and dance arrived with the first European settlers in North America as a source of amusement. They endured the challenges of nature and celebrated the serenity and beauty of it, as well. Music in many ways mimics nature and nature provides inspiration for all kinds of creativity!” 

Stephanie Potier, Community Guide and Facilitator, Violin Circle

Link to video