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General & Registration Questions
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Fiddle Hell Online is Thursday-Sunday, April 13-16, 2023, with sessions replayable for the next 4 months (through August 17). It's virtual, so FHO is wherever you are!
The Fiddle Hell Massachusetts Festival is a yearly gathering of fiddlers, cellists, mandolin & guitar & banjo players, and singers to meet, jam, learn, listen, and have fun. It's both friendly and diverse, and covers many traditional musical styles. This is still true now that we're ONLINE! You'll have an amazing choice of 175 workshops, 32 concerts, and 30 jam sessions. Not only can you attend these sessions when they are live, but you can replay videos of any sessions during Fiddle Hell Online and for 4 months afterwards. Teaching at FHO is primarily by ear although sheet music may sometimes be available.
Attendance and participation are from your laptop, desktop, tablet, phone, or other device. You'll be joining Zoom sessions conveniently reached (through our event software called "Whova") from a web browser or mobile app. At face-to-face Fiddle Hell, you had to make a difficult choice of where to go in each time slot; for FHO, you'll be able to replay videos of prior sessions for the next 4 months, so you won't miss your favorite instructors, workshop topics, jams, and performers. Optionally, you can access the online community once you register (it's live now right here), for discussions, messaging, exhibitors, and technical help if you need it.
Please look at https://fiddlehell.org/staff and https://fiddlehell.org/schedule. Once you have bought your Fiddle Hell Online ticket, and set up your Whova account (see the question on Whova setup), you can also peruse the sessions and instructors through the Whova Agenda > Sessions and Agenda > Instructr menus. If there are sessions you'd like to remember, add them to "My Agenda" in Whova. There is also a (downloadable) Whova Mobile App available as an alternative way to view the schedule, staff, and community topics, and view the replays.
You can attend any and all sessions; there are no individual session signups.
Whova is the event system that helps you access Zoom sessions on the agenda, view and download handouts, see messages and announcements, visit the virtual exhibits, ask questions about sessions or in general, and (optionally) connect with other attendees.
If you've bought your Fiddle Hell Online ticket (including replay tickets), here's how to set up a Whova account. Using your LAPTOP or DESKTOP computer, ideally with the Chrome browser, go to https://www.fiddlehellonline.org to set up your Whova account and sign in to Fiddle Hell Online once you've registered. At that website, where it says "Don't have an account?" click "Sign up here". Sign in with the same exact email address used for your registration as an attendee, and create a new password. On a laptop or desktop computer, you don't need to download any software - the Whova system is browser-based.
For iPads or other mobile devices, DO NOT follow that link! First, download the Whova Event & Conference App, then use the App to establish your Whova account, and only then look for the Fiddle Hell Online event in the App. Here's how to get apps on an iPad: https://support.apple.com/guide/ipad/get-apps-ipad9b4cea76/ipados
For iPads and iPhones, here's the Whova app you're looking for in the App Store preview: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/whova-event-conference-app/id716979741
For Android tablets and Android phones, here's the Whova app you're looking for in the Play Store preview: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.whova.event
Troubleshooting:
If you are asked for an "invitation code" when you're using a laptop or desktop to set up your Whova account, it's usually because you're using a different email address than the one you gave when you bought your FIddle Hell Online ticket. Please try again, using the same email address you gave when you bought your FHO ticket.
If you are asked for an "invitation code" when you're using an iPad or other mobile device to set up your Whova account, make sure to download the Whova Event & Conference App first and use the App to set up your account. Then you should be able to see Fiddle Hell Online right away as one of "My Events" or you can seach for it in "Find My Event". Even if you plan to view FHO with an iPad, it's easier to set up your Whova account first with a laptop or desktop computer if you have that option.
Levels are discussed in detail at https://fiddlehell.org/info/session-levels. Our four levels are approximations that you can use as guidelines to help pick your workshops and jams.
Levels indicate two things: the difficulty of the material covered and the pace of the session. L1 (beginner) sessions will have the easiest material and will be at a slow pace. L4 (advanced) sessions will have the most difficult material and will be at a rapid pace. L2 (low intermediate) and L3 (high intermediate) levels are in between.
Of course, your level may vary by instrument, by style, by technical facility, by ability to learn by ear, and more. Feel free to attend any workshops and jams you'd like, expecting that they will be taught and led at the advertised level(s). Also, feel free to leave any Zoom session that doesn't feel right for you and join a different one. You can always return to the agenda to see what's happening live at the same time.
There are 32 concerts, 30 jams, and 175 workshops. During each of the four days April 13-16, we'll alternate one-hour sessions with 30-minute breaks, going from 10AM ET to 11PM ET. In almost every time slot, you'll find a concert, a jam, and 4 to 6 workshops (except during the Saturday Night Concert). To decide which sessions to attend, look at the style (such as Old-Time, Irish, Scottish, New England, Bluegrass, etc.), the target instruments (such as fiddle, cello, guitar, mandolin, banjo, ...), the instructors or performers, the level of the session, and of course the session title and description. You won't miss out since you'll be able to replay sessions for 4 months afterwards, so it's fun to stretch out and try a new style or instrument - or just to relax and watch a fun concert. You don't need to sign up for individual sessions - just go where you like.
Yes, kids can attend FHO! There is a 10% discount for kids. Kids are welcome at all sessions; the session description should be useful in making decisions about what will interest them. There are no sessions specifically for kids in the Online version of Fiddle Hell, due to online privacy restrictions. Please read on for details, which are different for different ages of kids.
A parent or legal guardian can purchase a ticket for an older kid (13-17). The parent or guardian will need to supervise and monitor their child's participation in FHO, and take full responsibility for their child's safe and appropriate participation in FHO. During the registration process, the parent or guardian purchasing the child's ticket will need to accept these additional terms.
A parent or legal guardian can purchase a ticket for a younger kid (12 or under). The parent or guardian must also purchase their own ticket (possibly as an additional household member). To comply with the U.S. Children’s Online Privacy and Protection Act (COPPA), there are important, required procedures to avoid sharing personal information about the kid, which includes name, display name, audio, video, chat posting, and more. While the kid can hear and see any sessions, during live sessions the kid should not be identified, nor audible, nor visible, since these sessions are recorded for later replay. During the registration process, the parent or guardian purchasing the ticket will need to accept these additional terms. It is not an option to consent to share personal information about a younger kid, since such permission could later be withdrawn, and the actions required of Fiddle Hell Massachusetts LLC (such as removing videos) in association with a revoked consent could be burdensome and challenging to comply with.
For Replay tickets, the price for an Adult (26-64) is $110, for access to replays of all sessions (concerts, jams, workshops) through August 17, 2023.
We offer 10% discounts on Replay tickets to $99 for Seniors (65 or over), Young Adults (18-25), Kids (13-17), Kids (12 or under), and American String Teacher Association (ASTA) members.
Any additional household member wishing to attend ANY concerts, workshops, or jams also needs to register for Replays.
This giveaway has already happened.
Register as an early bird for Fiddle Hell Online (which saves 10%), and you will also be entered to win a beautiful and unique violin! The earlier you register, the more chances you'll have to win.
It's a lovely vintage "Gaspard Duiffopruggar" violin made in Germany c. 1890. This is known as the "Mirecourt School Brescian Model," which means that there are some French influences in the design and construction. The violin features a lovely spruce top and flamed maple sides and back. On the back is a decorative wood inlay of a small village with houses, steeple and trees. The scroll is hand carved in the form of an older man with beard (hence the description "head fiddle"). This instrument is set up well and is in fine playing condition with just a few very small repaired top cracks that are close to invisible. You'll need to use your own bow, but it comes with a top quality Deluxe Copeland case.
Worth about $2500 -- but its cool factor is off the charts! The winner will be announced at the FHO Saturday Night Concert on April 15. You do not have to be present to win.
If you register at the early bird rates in January, this qualifies you for three giveaway drawings (including THREE chances for this beautiful violin, as well as CDs, books, & lessons). Register in February for TWO chances at the violin, or in March for ONE chance at the violin. 
Yes! Thanks to generous contributors to our scholarship fund (including many of the instructors and attendees), a limited number of partial (and full) scholarships are available to those who can't afford the Replay fees.
Go to the Registration Page. During the registration process, you'll be able to register just one person or several. You'll be asked some questions about each person being registered (unique email, state, time zone, instruments, ...), and will read and agree to an Attendee Agreement (as we do at the in-person Fiddle Hell) as well as Agreements related to children, if applicable.
Credit and debit card payments are accepted (see next answer for paying by check).
For replays, please send a check in the mail by April 21st (mail can be slow these days) to Fiddle Hell Massachusetts LLC, P. O. Box 316, Lexington, MA 02420-0316, and let us know who it's for, their age categories, and their email addresses. We'll then send you a 100% discount code (specific to you) to use for online registration at https://fiddlehell.org/register.
Each attendee needs a unique email address to register, and will be asked to agree to the Attendee Agreement when registering, as well as Agreements related to children, if applicable.
Right after you mail the check,
You'll need to accept this Attendee Agreement when you buy a ticket for yourself or for another person, as well as Agreements related to children, if applicable.
No, it's not. As at in-person Fiddle Hell, each registration is valid for only one attendee at Fiddle Hell Online. Any additional household member wishing to watch or participate in any concerts, workshops, or jams also needs to register (each additional household member can register at a reduced price).
At a time when all musicians' gigs have partially disappeared, and are only slowly returning Fiddle Hell Online pays all instructors, performers, and technical staff, and we rely on your registration fees to do this. Please respect the artists who are at the heart of Fiddle Hell Online by asking your friends and family to register.
1. You'll get a confirmation email from Whova with ticket purchase details.
2. Using a laptop or desktop computer, go to www.fiddlehellonline.com to set up your account (easy!). If you already have an account (from last November or before), sign in with your email and password. If not, where it says "Don't have an account?" click "Sign up here". Sign in with the same exact email address used for your registration as an attendee, and create a new password. The Whova website will be how you access Zoom sessions on the agenda, view or download handouts, see messages and announcements, visit the virtual exhibits, ask questions about sessions or in general, and (optionally) connect with other attendees. You don't need to download any software - the Whova Web App is browser-based.
3. From your iPhone, iPad, or Android phone, you might want to download the Whova mobile app to conveniently browse the FHO agenda and talk to the community. This is required only if you want to view FHO from these devices (including setting up a Whova account). Otherwise this is optional, and you can ignore any emails from Whova telling you it's critical :-).
4. Please help spread the word about Fiddle Hell Online to your musical friends - fiddlers, mando players, cellists, guitarists, banjo players, singers, and more. You can direct them to our Fiddle Hell website, our Facebook group, our YouTube channel (for jam videos), or our Instagram channel.
5. What happens at Fiddle Hell Online is different from an in-person Fiddle Hell, of course. But you'll likely try out new tunes and styles, pick up techniques and nuances, enjoy hearing others play, participate in guided jams, hear concerts, connect online with old friends and make new ones. Whatever your level and musical preferences, you'll find a supportive community and kindred spirits. There will be 13 year olds and 83 year olds, local musicians and attendees from far away, players who perform regularly and those who rarely play for anyone.
Speaking for the Fiddle Hell organizers - and all the instructors, performers, and technical staff - I hope you'll enjoy the event as it unrolls, and have fun throughout and for the 4 months afterwards when you can replay sessions. Relax and experience the unique gathering that is Fiddle Hell Online!
- Dave Reiner
Order here by April 20th to have your shirt delivered to you AFTER FHO! It's a great new design from Autumn Rose Lester on the front & our amazing instructor list on the back. Softstyle, 50/50, woman's, and long sleeve options; each style in a different color.
The Fiddle Hell Common Tune list consists of 104 tunes that were suggested by the Reiner Family Band (the original 52) and by Fiddle Hell attendees (the new 52). It's a list of exciting tunes in various styles; most are traditional and a few are by known composers. These are suggested for your repertoire, and often show up in jams or workshops. Of course, many tunes not on the list are also played regularly at Fiddle Hell. The Reiner Family Band has recorded the common tunes (played both fast and slow) on two 2-CD sets, available for $15/set postpaid to US addresses at the Fiddle Hell Store.
Please help us make Fiddle Hell better by filling out our anonymous survey about the April event at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FiddleHellApril2023
We read all responses carefully!
Logistics & Miscellaneous Questions
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Please do encourage your friends through social media to attend this epic event! With many styles, instruments, and levels represented, they're likely to find lots of workshops, jams, and concerts of interest. If they want, they can attend sessions in a low-key manner, with nobody hearing or seeing them. And they can replay session videos for up to 4 months after the event.
You can tell your friends this (customize as you like):
REALLY SHORT Version:
I'm going to Fiddle Hell Online, April 13-16, 2023, and I think you would really enjoy this amazing event! FHO will have 160 live workshops to learn from, 30 live concerts to enjoy, and 30 live jam sessions to join on Zoom, for fiddle, mandolin, cello, guitar, banjo, & singing. Info and registration (and discounts) at https//FiddleHell.org.
SHORT Version:
I'm going to Fiddle Hell Online, April 13-16, 2023, and I think you would really enjoy this amazing event! FHO will have 160 live workshops to learn from, 30 live concerts to enjoy, and 30 live jam sessions to join on Zoom, for fiddle, mandolin, cello, guitar, banjo, & singing. From beginner to advanced levels, and all sessions can be replayed (and slowed down) for the next 4 months. 110 instructors -- experienced & supportive teachers, and wonderful & inspiring players -- will cover Bluegrass, Blues, Cajun, Cape Breton, East European, Electric, Irish, Jazz, Jazz Manouche, Klezmer, Latin, Mexican, New Acoustic, New England, Old-Time Southern, Québécois, Scandinavian, Scottish, and Swing styles. Go to https://fiddlehell.org/Register for Registration (discounts for seniors & young musicians, and for early birds), https://fiddlehell.org/Schedule to see the Schedule, https://fiddlehell.org/Staff for Instructors, and https://fiddlehell.org/info/Racial-Justice for the FH Racial Justice Statement. You can also sign up for the Mailing List at https://fiddlehell.org/Contact, join the FH Facebook Group at https://Facebook.com/groups/FiddleHellMassachusetts, visit the Facebook event at TBD, and subscribe to the FH YouTube channel at https://YouTube.com/FiddleHell.
LONG Version:
I'm going to Fiddle Hell Online, April 13-16, 2023, and I think you would really enjoy this amazing event! FHO will have 160 live workshops to learn from, 30 live concerts to enjoy, and 30 live jam sessions to join on Zoom, for fiddle, mandolin, cello, guitar, banjo, & singing. All sessions can be replayed (and slowed down) for the next 4 months. 80 instructors -- experienced & supportive teachers, and wonderful & inspiring players -- will cover Bluegrass, Blues, Cajun, Cape Breton, East European, Electric, Irish, Jazz, Jazz Manouche, Klezmer, Latin, Mexican, New Acoustic, New England, Old-Time Southern, Québécois, Scandinavian, Scottish, and Swing styles.
Historical and technical workshops are also on the program -- details coming soon. Workshops and jams are designed for Beginners, Low Intermediates, High Intermediates, and Advanced players, although you can attend any sessions you like.
These inspiring and incredible sessions are a great value for players and listeners, with discounts for seniors and young musicians, and further discounts and giveaways for early bird signups. Scholarships are available, too. Go to https://fiddlehell.org/Register for Registration (discounts for seniors & young musicians), https://fiddlehell.org/Schedule to see the Schedule, https://fiddlehell.org/Staff for Instructors, and https://fiddlehell.org/info/Racial-Justice for the FH Racial Justice Statement. You can also sign up for the Mailing List at https://fiddlehell.org/Contact, join the FH Facebook Group at https://Facebook.com/groups/FiddleHellMassachusetts, visit the Facebook event at TBD, and subscribe to the FH YouTube channel at https://YouTube.com/FiddleHell. to replay & slow down jams for free.
Visit https://fiddlehell.org to see the 4 teaching levels, the common tune list, repertoire CDs, jamming guidelines, links to online resources, and more. The Fiddle Hell Online event software from Whova, accessed from your web browser or tablet or phone once you’re registered, helps you browse the agenda, ask questions, chat with the FHO community, easily attend live Zoom sessions, replay sessions once they’ve happened, and visit the virtual exhibitors.
I hope you'll register now and join me at this amazing event!
Order here by April 20th to have your shirt delivered to you AFTER FHO! It's a great new design from Autumn Rose Lester on the front & our amazing instructor list on the back. Softstyle, 50/50, woman's, and long sleeve options; each style in a different color.
We have written a detailed statement outlining Fiddle Hell's efforts for racial justice and have shared it on our website. We hope you will read it to learn about how we are approaching this very important topic. We are committed to teaching and accurately attributing repertoire from Black and Indigenous sources, to supporting diverse instructors and performers, and to actively reaching out to and more explicitly welcoming participants of color into the Fiddle Hell community. As you look through the FHO Agenda, you will see sessions reflecting these goals.
Our privacy policy is on the Info menu here.
The Whova system knows your email address, since you sign in with it, but doesn't share your email with other attendees. If anyone sends you a message in Whova, your email isn't shown to the sender. You can propose "Exchange contact info" with another FHO attendee in the Mobile App, but they won't see your email unless you send it to them (and vice versa). If you visit a Virtual Exhibit and "sign up for offers and deals" with the exhibitor, you'll be asked for your email so the exhibitor can contact you. But that's under your control.
And of course, FHO doesn’t sell your email address or share it with anyone externally.
We look for instructors who are great musicians; friendly, supportive, well-prepared, effective teachers; and diverse in backgrounds and gender. As we always do from year to year, for the April Fiddle Hell, we're rotating many instructors out and some new ones in, to offer attendees an ever-changing lineup of musicians and sessions. We are able to add certain instructors who live farther away because travel isn't needed for an online event, making it possible to have them join us. We are excited to add instructors with ties to Black and Indigenous music and musical history, and we'll be continuing to do this each year in the future.
We appreciate your enthusiasm! While we are not seeking volunteers at Fiddle Hell Online, we might need you when we meet in person in the future. In the meantime, you can help us a lot by recommending Fiddle Hell Online to your musical friends.
Instructors' merchandise (recordings, books, etc.) is generally available through their own websites, which are listed in their bios in Whova. For the Reiner Family Band, books and CDs (including the two sets of Common Tune CDs), are at our online Store.
Yes, once you're registered, through messages in the Community Topic "Instruments for Sale or Trade or Wanted." Any sales or trades are private transactions between the parties, and Fiddle Hell Massachusetts LLC is neither directly involved nor responsible for transactions or any problems.
The next in-person Fiddle Hell Festival is November 2-5, 2023.
The next online Fiddle Hell Festival is April 11-14, 2024.
