Up-and-coming musicians!

The Annual Amateur Fiddle Contest was held at Carden School of Tehachapi on Saturday, Mar. 14, 2015 and brought out the cream of the crop. The kids of Tehachapi and surrounding areas are up-and-coming fiddlers and musicians!

Saturday’s competition started early with Joey Walleck of Tehachapi playing the National Anthem for the event. The divisions started off with the Junior (ages 13-17), and Junior-Junior (ages 9-12), followed by the Small Fry Division (ages 8 and under). There was stiff competition and great music played. The winners from each of the divisions were Nathan Crotty (Small Fry), BJ Zheng (Junior-Junior), and Joey Walleck (Junior). The Cello/Bass Division played shortly thereafter where they were required to play the standard three fiiddle-style tunes as well. Piper Meisler of Tehachapi took the top spot of that division.

The Saturday afternoon competitors kept the audience entertained with more music and entertainment. The Picking Division (guitar, banjo, and mandolin) was won by Joey Walleck of Tehachapi on his mandolin. The Novelty Division (instruments other than fiddle, guitar, banjo, or mandolin) was won by BJ Zheng of Tehachapi on the piano. Katie Jones and Fiona Ryan both of Tehachapi took top honors in the Twin Fiddles Division. There were two bands put together for the Band Scramble competition. Both bands, “The Band Aids” and “Piper’s Packrats” played so well that the judges declared it a tie!

The first place winners of each of the fiddling divisions then competed against each other for the title of Grand Champion. Joey Walleck of Tehachapi fiddled his way to win this top spot. Joey was awarded the Grand Champion Trophy and also received a $25 Gift Card.

Our judges this year were Jo Stone of Tehachapi, Phyllis Belcher of Tehachapi, and Dorothy Seiwell of Tehachapi. A huge thanks goes out to them to spend their Saturday judging the young fiddlers.

For more information on how to support, join, or upcoming events please visit http://www.tehachapifiddlers.org or email Steve Andersen at [email protected].