We're delighted that Fiddle Hell will be back at the Westford Regency in Westford, MA, Nov 7-10, 2024. 

Here are some helpful things to know for attendees at Fiddle Hell. 

IN-PERSON: Fiddle Hell will be an entirely in-person festival in November. Meet up and jam with your old friends and make new ones! Sessions will not be recorded for replays online.

SESSIONS: We'll have about 330 sessions, with 20 concerts, 35 instructor-led jams, and 275 workshops! And there will be lots of informal jam spots as always. While all acoustic instruments are welcome, the main tracks are for fiddle, mandolin, guitar, banjo, cello, and singing, at 4 different levels. Have fun with your fellow musicians as you absorb techniques, styles, tunes, and history, from an amazing set of instructors.

ARTISTS: We'll have a great staff of about 70 teaching and performing artists, to be announced in August, including Liz Knowles, Pascal Gemme, Katie McNally, Darol Anger, Sharon Gilchrist, Rachel Eddy, and Rev. Robert Jones. The detailed schedule will be published in September, including session descriptions, instruments, levels, and artists.

REGISTRATION: Tickets will be available for 4 days, 3 days, 2 days, and single days. Early bird tickets will be on sale July 1st at noon on our Registration Page. There are discounts for early birds, senior and junior players, current members of ASTA (American String Teachers Association), and non-playing parents or guardians. Early bird discounts can be combined with other discounts, and early birds will be entered in several giveaways (including concerts and a "head" fiddle). Tickets will likely be available at the FH event itself. However, we suggest signing up early since the total number of tickets for each day will be limited.

COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS: Fiddle Hell Massachusetts LLC follows current conditions to determine Covid protocols for all participants. We also look at best practices from experts and from other music camps and festivals. In November, 2024, vaccinations, rapid tests, and masking are OPTIONAL. More details are available HERE and also in the Q&A on the Registration Page.

ROOM RESERVATIONS: Hotel room reservations at the Westford Regency will be available only to registered attendees, on a first-come, first-served basis. Rates are $121/night/room, plus taxes.  If you wish to book a room, please call the Westford Regency Inn at (978) 692-8200 AFTER you have bought your FH ticket and have received your FH code for the hotel in your confirmation email. FH registration will open at noon ET on July 1st. If the  hotel is sold out, ask to be added to the waiting list - that often works out well. There are other hotels nearby, but they don't match the FH room rate. Commuting is an option if you live close enough.

GIVEAWAYS: Fiddle Hell is giving away a "head" violin to an early bird registrant for our November Festival. This fiddle was played for many years by a busker in New Orleans. It's in the style of Gasparo Duiffopruggar. Sign up in July for 3 chances to win this fiddle; in August for 2 chances; in September for 1 chance. Other early bird giveaways are books, CDs, strings, Fiddler magazines, online lessons, and 2 front-row seats to one of 3 live performances in Groton, MA, by BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet, the Jacob Jolliff band, and Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas. Why wait?

LOGISTICS: We'll use Whova software (optional on your smartphone, tablet, or computer) for the detailed agenda, to provide handouts, and to add an exciting channel of connection within our FH community. Whova will be available starting Sept 15. Whova was very helpful at the last 6 online FH festivals and the last 2 in-person festivala, and participants really liked it. We’ll also have printed grids, but not extensive program booklets. Food and drinks will be available at the hotel and nearby. There will be a dinner break from 6-7:30PM on Th, Fr, and Sat. The hotel has free parking and a large parking lot.

NEXT ONLINE FH: The next ONLINE Fiddle Hell will be April 3-6, 2025.

On behalf of Fiddle Hell and my family, we hope you are doing ok, staying healthy, and coping with the challenges of everyday life. We've had a great time jamming, learning, and having fun with you in the last few years, both in-person and online. It's been a time for friendship and reconnection, and for awesome learning and listening. We'll see you in November!

Warmly,
Dave Reiner

Fiddle Hell strives to be an actively inclusive and welcoming place for people of all racial groups, ethnicities, abilities, gender identities and/or expressions, sexual orientations, incomes, religions, and other identities. We value and embrace all forms of diversity among our staff and participants. In August 2020, we identified a number of areas where Fiddle Hell could improve with respect to racial justice, and we took taking steps to put these ideas into action. We were excited to offer workshops in 2020-2024 and continuing in the future that provide opportunities to learn about the contributions and roles of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in the origins and evolution of the instruments, tunes, and styles we play. Please click here to read about these steps in our full Statement about Fiddle Hell and Racial Justice.