Turley Publications photo by Ruth M. Lyon

 

Logan Mitchel, age 8, of Belchertown is appropriately dressed for his fiddle performance of “Orange Blossom Special.” He wowed the crowd with his spirited performance, and won third prize in the under age 17 category.

 

Banjo-Fiddle contest- a winning afternoon

 

By Ruth M. Lyon

Turley Publications Reporter

 

WEST BROOKFIELD - The common rang with the twang of banjos; fiddlers plied bows to tuned-up strings and tapped their feet in time. The skies had cleared overhead, and an audience gathered before the bandstand to enjoy an afternoon of old-time entertainment on the bandstand at the head of West Brookfield’s common.

As part of the Quaboag Plantation’s 350^th anniversary celebration, Rob Lyon had gathered a committee of musicians to plan a crowd-pleasing competition, a banjo fiddle contest. Judges David Dick, Ed Trepanier and Samantha Gillogly sat at a table close by the performance area to listen to and observe each performer.

Nearby, committee member Jeff Robbins managed the raffle table, where items donated by committee members and friends were displayed.

The contest, as mentioned in the registration forms, was planned for its entertainment value, and so, the judges agreed, it proved to be – a display of musical talent by performers of ages eight to eighty, male and female.

David Dick, now a seasoned performer and recording artist, a name in bluegrass music, had participated in and won a similar contest on the same bandstand at age 15. For this event, he served as a judge. “I’m delighted to see so many youngsters competing,” he said, recalling his own early days on Boston’s Community Auditions, among other venues.

West Brookfield’s Samantha Gillogly is well-known as a concert violinist; she is currently a student at Berklee School of Music. Fiddlin Ed Trepanier is owner and operator of the Fiddle Center, East Brookfield.

The contests for both fiddle and banjo were divided into two divisions: open, for ages 17 and up, and Junior, under age 17. Though there were several contestants in both divisions for fiddle, no junior competitors for banjo entered. Contestants were invited to enter by mail, online, or in person on the day of the event. Most came from Massachusetts, but some from Connecticut as well.

Music was chosen by the contestants; many selections were familiar to judges and audience members as well. Logan Mitchell played a perennial favorite, “Orange Blossom Special.” Dressed in engineer’s blue stripes and hat, he even blew a wooden whistle to begin his performance, and the audience loved it.

Some, however played original compositions. Brimfield’s Remi LaMothe, age 14, was accompanied by his dad. He performed “Whiskey Before Breakfast,” a bluegrass favorite. But he also fiddled an original composition, “A Maiden’s Prayer.”

Janet Baskowski performed her own “Back to the Brookfields” in her winning banjo performance.

Showmanship was a portion of the total judges’ scoring, along with rhythm, timing, tone, clarity, intonation, and overall impression. Showmanship was occasionally reflected in costume, but one contestant, Sara Hubbard, took her performance to a literally higher level. The 16 year old fiddler played her first two selections with bare feet planted firmly on the stage, but played her final number as she balanced on an exercise ball.

The audience, gathered before the bandstand and on the common, applauded with enthusiasm. Family groups shared blankets; some youngsters found fun in climbing a tree near the bandstand, but listened quietly to the music. Many, in later conversation, voiced the hope that the event might become an annual one.

At the end, the judges tallied scores as raffle tickets were drawn, winners announced, and observers enjoyed barbequed chicken dinners from the nearby congregational church.

Then the big moment, when fiddlers and banjo players claimed their prize money.

And the winners were: Fiddle, open division: Sarah Michel, Southampton, first prize; Bonnie Thibeault, West Brookfield, second; Samuel Bonneau, New Braintree, third.

Fiddle, junior division: Kathryn McFadden, North Andover, first prize; Sara Hubbard, Westfield, second; Logan Mitchell, Belchertown, third.

Banjo, open division: Rick Baskowski, North Brookfield, first prize; Michael Surriera, Springfield, second; Janet Baskowski, third.

Lyon, in closing, reminded those in attendance that Wednesday evening concerts on the common will begin on June 23, and Quaboag 350^th events are ongoing throughout the year in Quaboag Plantation towns.