Young Tradition Touring Group - Notes from our first rehearsal!
The Young Tradition Touring Group recently gathered for our first rehearsal of the 2025-26 season at the Montpelier Performing Arts Hub. Led this year by Ethan Tischler and Alex Kehler, these 24 talented traditional musicians are from around the state of Vermont with additional members traveling from Maine, Massachusetts and Québec. Aged 12 to 19, the Touring Group members play fiddle, harp, guitar, whistle/flute, cello, and piano accordion…and they all sing, too!
The 2025/2026 Young Tradition Touring Group
Returning members greeted friends from previous seasons and new members were welcomed during the full day of rehearsals, meeting Artist Leaders and Vermont Folklife staff, and spending time enjoying the lovely autumn weather. The melody players gathered in the “fiddle cave” in the basement of the building while the rhythm section worked to nail down chords. They rehearsed tricky spots, tried new harmonies, and got to know each other, playing frisbee and enjoying snacks together. The first run-throughs of the classic Touring Group finale, the Errogie Set, ended the day.
This year’s Touring Group performances will feature an exciting and varied program showcasing the traditional musical influences of New England, including music rooted in Québec, Vermont, and Maine, as well repertoire from Sweden, where the group will be touring in April! The Touring Group is learning several traditional polskas, a type of tune commonly played in Sweden. Like waltzes, polskas are often in ¾ time and their rhythm corresponds to the dance. One of the Youth Artist Leaders, Ell Freebern, is arranging a set that includes one of their own original tunes and a setting of a mesmerizing tune from medieval Portugal. Beck Welling, the other Youth Artist Leader, brings a powerful set of driving Irish jigs to this season’s Touring Group program. We’ll be sharing more about the tunes and songs that are part of this year’s program in future blog posts!
To learn more about the Touring Group, please visit the Touring Group webpage. To hear the group in action, we invite you to check out our YouTube playlist and to come back soon for concert dates! If you’d like to support the group with a financial donation, please see our Fundraising Projects page. We’re glad you’re part of the Touring Group community!
