Saline Fiddlers Need Your Support

Today I learned that the Saline Fiddlers is struggling with tickets sales of the group's hometown concert 7 p.m. Nov. 1 at the Ellen Ewing Performing Arts Center at Saline High School. As a result, I posted the fiddlers' press release about the concert online and sent out an e-mail alert to people on my e-mail contacts list. I also thought I'd use this forum to share some information about the group.

The Saline Fiddlers, directed by Ben Culver, a 2005 Arts Education Award winner, is made up of Saline High School students. It was formed in 1994 and since then has released numerous recordings to help pay for its performances across the United States and cities around the world.

According to the group's Web site, members of the Saline Fiddlers have graced the stage more than 1,000 times, performing three times at the White House and twice at the Kennedy Center, as well as at the state of Michigan's Inaugural Ball in January 2001. During this time, the fiddle players have shared the stage with many nationally renowned recording artists, as well as the group's own cloggers, who are choreographed by Sheila Graziano.

As members of this community, we should support this musical group and enjoy its immense talent. I urge you to look at your calendar and pencil in the group's hometown concert. Tickets range in price from $10 to $20 and can be purchased online or by calling 1-866-257-5333, ext. 1. If you can't make it Nov. 1, the group will be performing 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15 at the PIX Theater in Lapeer and will return home for a concert the night of Saline's Holiday Parade 7 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Historic Union School.