CADCFA is an association of musicians young and old, drawn from across all backgrounds in the counties of Antrim and Derry. CADCFA has been serving the local community through performances and tuition for over half a century, and has since become the largest fiddle school in the whole of Ireland. CADCFA was informally gathered in 1943 but only constituted officially in 1953. In May 2013 we celebrated our 60th anniversary with a concert at the Braid Arts Centre. Over a hundred musicians of different ages and from a cross-section of the community played together on stage.
CADCFA is proud of its strong cross-community ethos and is a registered charity. Senior players meet for an informal session once a month and the fiddle school consisting of over 100 pupils of all ages (5 to 80+) and stages (beginner to Grade 8 and Diploma) meets weekly on Saturday mornings and Wednesday evenings under the direction of Maebh McKeon and the Fiddle School Teaching Team in Houston's Mill, Broughshane. All students are able to prepare for London College examinations from preliminary up to diploma level. CADCFA charges a small annual tuition fee to cover room hire, photocopying expenses and some teachers' fees. In addition, the young people enjoy annual summer schools; junior players up to Grade 4 standard, whether classically or traditionally trained, meet for a week in the Broughshane Community Centre while more advanced fiddlers (grade 6 standard and above) go on a residential summer school; for example, Scotland, Tobercurry and Gweedore in the past.
CADCFA organises quarterly socials where all players have the chance to perform in a relaxed and informal setting. In April 2010 CADCFA held a very successful concert in The Braid Arts Centre with 85 musicians on stage playing from their varied repertoire including the traditional reels, jigs, polkas and slow airs, alongside a few arrangements for classical strings. CADCFA regularly receives invitations to play, for example, at a European Peace Conference, a Police concert and a fundraiser for Cushendun Old Church.
CADCFA cooperates with other traditional music groups in Scotland and the Republic of Ireland and last year a contingent attended the North Atlantic Fiddle Convention (NAFCO) held in Derry-Londonderry, along with hundreds of participants and thousands of visitors celebrating traditional fiddle music and dance from all around the North Atlantic seaboard, from Canada and the United States to the Shetland Islands and from Ireland and Scotland across to the Nordic countries. For your enjoyment CD's are available of the May 2013 60th Anniversary concert, featuring guest artists and CD titled Musical Breeze.
Contact facebook - facebook.com/cadcfa or email the secretary cr.mccann@btinternet.com
CADCFA warmly welcomes anyone from any background, with an interest in folk music, country fiddling in particular. As a body we are absolutely non-sectarian and non-political.
Membership: £10 due yearly (half price at CADCFA Socials). Tuition Fees: £150 annually
No extra costs
Mainly on a weekly basis and if you are a more experienced fiddle player then you have the choice of coming along to monthly sessions which take place in the evening from 8.00pm Also fiddle players come together to play at Socials at least four times a year
Fiddle Classes: Houston's Mill, Broughshane, Ballymena, BT42 4JU
For Socials/Summer School: Broughshane Community Centre, 1 Knockan Road, Broughshane, Ballymena, BT42 4JY.
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As a new member - Introduction to Traditional Fiddle Music
There are many locals who enjoy listening to the fiddle school in action, anyone is welcome to drop in for a listen. We often represent the community of Broughshane.
We cover all age groups and have keen interest shown by both genders