Fiddlers have been let loose in the library!

Over the weekend, Manitoba Chamber Orchestra’s Fiddlers on the Loose popped up in the Millenium Library downtown. Throughout the week, they will continue to appear among the stacks in various areas of the city as part of their summer outreach programming.  

“The library programming is fantastic,” says MCO Director of Education and Community Engagement Suzu Enns.  

Designed for younger listeners and their families, the 45-minute performance features a variety of music as well as demonstrations and audience interaction. 

“It’s great to see, especially the little kids, get drawn right into (the music),” says MCO musician Boyd MacKenzie, who also serves as concert and tour manager for the organization.  

The “fiddlers” are made up of a string quintet (a pair of violins, viola, cello and double bass) plus guitarist/percussionist Rodrigo Muñoz -- who adds an “added spice.”  

“We have our own specialized arrangements for that particular group (of musicians)” says MacKenzie.  

The ensemble serves as the MCO’s nimble and engagement outreach music group, performing not only in Winnipeg but across the province. Recent performances include trips to Flin Flon and The Pas, in addition to a number of performances in several school divisions.  

The six-stop library performance schedule will see the players travel across town, including: Munroe Library, St. Vital Library, Harvey Smith Library, St. John’s Library and Westwood Library.  

Families are encouraged to reserve seating in advance of the performances and, at the time of the interview, there were only a few spots available for Friday morning at St. John’s Library.  

“Other than that, (the spots) are filled already – and that’s fantastic!” says Enns.  

For more information, visit: www.themco.ca or the Winnipeg Public Library’s website.  

Keep an eye out for additional summer programming presented next month by the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra!