[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 60 (Tuesday, April 9, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E320]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING THE SALINE FIDDLERS' 30TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 9, 2024

  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Saline 
Fiddlers Philharmonic, a premier youth fiddling show band from Saline, 
Michigan, on their 30th anniversary. Comprised of students from Saline 
High School the fiddlers present an energetic and polished show that 
features a diverse range of music from American folk, fiddle, 
bluegrass, jazz, western swing, and Celtic traditions. Their 30 years 
of unforgettable performances are remarkable, and their commitment and 
skill are worthy of commendation.
  The Fiddlers began in 1994 with the simple idea of introducing an 
alternative style of musical education to public school students to 
maintain and expand their interest in musical performance. Since 1994, 
these remarkable students have set the standard for extracurricular 
music programs in the United States and have become a model for 
instruction and motivation that other schools across the nation have 
added to their own programs.
  With over 1,500 performances in the majority of the states in our 
nation, the Fiddlers have a storied history that includes three 
performances at the White House, two performances on the Millennium 
Stage at the Kennedy Center, and a performance at the State of 
Michigan's Presidential Inaugural Ball. The Fiddlers have also traveled 
to Canada and Europe for performances and have made multiple trips to 
Saline's sister cities of Brecon, Wales and Lindenberg, Germany. Each 
year, the group performs 50-60 times, with around a third of their 
annual schedule being donated to community service events. I still 
fondly remember their performance at the Saline Celtic Festival this 
past summer.
  Working alongside the artistic team, the Saline Fiddlers help plan 
each aspect of their shows by crafting arrangements and making diverse 
organizational decisions that helps teach the students collaborative 
ownership while giving students the opportunity to explore their 
creativity and showcase their enthusiasm throughout the show making 
process. These accomplished members of the Fiddlers are selected 
through competitive auditions that assess their musical talent and 
personal maturity. They balance academics, school organizations, jobs, 
and other extracurricular activities. Teaching students not just about 
music but about maintaining a balanced schedule and workload is a true 
testament to how the Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic has helped 30 years 
of students prepare for their futures through music.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing the 
Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic on their 30th anniversary. Their 
commitment to music and community is an incredible accomplishment and 
has helped preserve music and tradition for future generations. I 
cannot wait to see all they accomplish in the years to come.

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