Our history begins with the formation of the Northeast Kings County branch of the PEI Fiddlers, in the mid 1970’s to promote and preserve traditional fiddling on the island. At first, jam sessions were held every Sunday afternoon at St. Mary’s Parish in Souris under the direction of a priest from Little Pond named Faber MacDonald (then later a Bishop in Newfoundland) and Joe Pete Chaisson of Bear River then later under his sons Peter, Kenny, and Kevin, and several others, – where older fiddlers played and youngsters began to learn to play.

Following the first Rollo Bay fiddle Festival in 1976, the Prince Edward Island Fiddlers’ Society was formed and proceeds from the Festival were used to hire a fiddle teacher to provide free lessons at the Rollo Bay Consolidated School every Monday evening for anyone wanting to learn to play. Kathryn Dau-Schmidt has been and remains the dedicated teacher of the beginner groups since and when students had progressed along Peter Chaisson was enlisted to play with them in the kitchen just off the gym after tuning all the beginner’s fiddles and they became known as the Kitchen Group, When the Rollo Bay School was demolished to build the new French School and Cultural Centre, classes were moved to the new Souris Regional School where they continue today. The beginner groups play in the music room starting at 6:15 and the Kitchen group practices on the stage next door in the gym starting at 7 pm with Peter’s nephew Darren leading the group with help from his dad Kevin and occasional visits from other PEI Fiddlers. Classes begin on the third Monday in October every fall and continue until the second Monday in May when all family members and friends are invited for the year end concert. 

PEI Fiddlers Society Life Member Kathryn Dau Schmidt still offers fiddle lessons to beginner and intermediate students of all ages in the music room right beside the gym where the Kitchen Group plays “so the students can hear the fiddlers playing right next door”. Lessons start at 6:15 pm and the Kitchen Group meets at 7 pm starting on the third Monday in October until the second Monday in May. The lessons are absolutely free to anyone who wishes to attend thanks to the proceeds of the Rollo Bay Fiddle Festival. Visitors are always welcome  

More information may be obtained from annemcphee@pei.sympatico.ca or call 902-969-2692