Mundare Musician Competes in Grand North American Old Time Fiddle Championship

Mundare Musician Competes in Grand North American Old Time Fiddle Championship

Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

Charlie Gargus didn’t take up the violin until he was 50 years of age. Now, 22 years later, he is still fiddling and passing on his love of music and mentoring as many people as he possibly can.

The Mundare musician competed in the 38th annual Grand North American Old Time Fiddle Championship, (GNAOTFC) that was held in Fort Saskatchewan from July 14-17. Gargus competed in the Golden category, (70 & over) and the Twin Harmony Level II category with his duet partner Barb Haney. He placed third and fifth respectively.

Gargus was one of about 40 competitors in the fiddle championship that was sponsored by the Wild Rose Old Tyme Fiddlers Association. Frank Grell, the 2022 GNAOTFC Director, said the event has always been more than a fiddle competition “as it’s a fiddle celebration with something for everyone whether they are a musician, dancer or spectator.”

It was the first time in two years that organizers were able to hold an in-person event at the Dow Centennial Centre. “This contest has one of the richest prize payouts in North America at over$16,000 in prizes and attracts fiddlers from across Canada,” noted Grell.

“We really wanted fiddlers of all ages and abilities to come out and participate in this fiddled event. To that end, we have provided competition categories from beginners all the way to superb fiddlers in the Championship class, and for everyone in between,” added Grell.

Charlie Gargus (second from left) and some of the competitors performing in the grand finale.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

Previously, Charlie won the Senior category in 2013 and 2014. He also won in the Twin Harmony Senior category with Barb Haney in 2014, 2017 and 2018. For all of that, Charlie said he competes so they have a full program to offer at the championship.

This is the first year Charlie has been a member of the sub-committee that is involved in the planning of the event, and said he enjoyed the experience.

Charlie said he loves the camaraderie with fiddle players and audience members who he has come to know and meet through the event. “There were people here from Victoria all the way to Ontario,” noted Charlie.

His overall objective is to promote fiddling with young people to carry on the distinctive style of folk music which includes dance tunes such as Jig, Reel, Breakdown, Schottische, Waltz, Two Step and Polka.

Charlie explained how he got into fiddle music. “My father, Peter Gargus, had an outstanding wedding band and was a fiddler for 63 years. I inherited his fiddle when I turned 50 and became a Heather Soldan “kiddlin”.

Now I am part of the SILVER AND GOLD BAND and we play for dances at the Vegreville Legion plus dance jams in Smoky Lake and Mundare. Volunteer time is also given to lodges and nursing homes in Vegreville, Mundare, Sherwood Park, and Edmonton.

The “fiddle world” is filled with amazing people that span the entire province. As a result I belong to both the Alberta Society of Fiddlers, (ASF) and the Wildrose Old Tyme Fiddle Association.

As well, Debby and I ran Ukrainian Music Workshops for 12 years in Mundare. Now we attend camps sponsored by the ASF as this organization is focused on “enabling” anyone of any age to become a fiddler.