Top fiddlers compete in Weiser this week

By: 
Steve Lyon

The first awards in the 2019 National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest were handed out Monday night in Weiser to the small fry winners (age 8 and under) and youth and adult swing fiddling contestants.
 The judges picked Josephine Arnold Mages as this year’s small fry champion after three rounds of qualifying to get to the final five contestants.
 The runner-up was Aspen Dietrich and third place went to Tristan Paskvan. The three top finishers received trophies and checks for their efforts.
 Each small fry contestant played the required hoedown, waltz and a tune of their choice within the allotted four minutes. The judges were sequestered and could hear but not see the contestants.
 The number of entries in the small fry division was double what it was last year. In 2018, there were 11 contestants signed up and this year 22 young players registered. The high-water year for entries in the division was 2010 with 29 competitors.
 The finals of the 17 and under and over 18 swing fiddling competition also took place on Monday in the contest venue, the auditorium at Weiser High School. The contestants were vying for $1,500 in prize money and trophies.
 Each swing fiddle contestant played two songs. Bonus points were given by the three judges for diversity in song selection. The judges were looking for swing feel, creativity, overall ability and impression.
 The judges picked Miles Quale, of Alameda, Calif., as the winner in the 17 and under division. Second place went to Maria McArthur, of Tucson, Ariz., and Lillian Arnold Mages finished in third place.
 In the 18 and older division, Katie Glassman, of Boulder, Colo., took the title back after sitting out last year to judge the event. Glassman has won the swing fiddling event before in 2016 and 2017. Last year’s winner Paul Anastasio took the runner-up spot and Maddie Denton finished in third place.
 The 67th fiddle contest and festival runs through Saturday night, when the 2019 National Grand Champion will be selected by the panel of five judges.
 The week-long contest typically attracts 220 or so top fiddlers of all ages to compete in the judged events, which start with the small fry and go up to the national grand champion.

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Signal American

18 E. Idaho St.
Weiser, ID 83672
PH: (208) 549-1717
FAX: (208) 549-1718
 

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