Learning by ear is emphasized, but music notation is used as backup and resource. New material is shared and learned both by music notation and phrase-by-phrase at rehearsals.

Learning and teaching is a shared responsibility, including repertoire suggestions and selection of material for the entire group. Although there are opportunities within the group for featuring individuals and groups or 2 and 3 musicians, we try to emphasize group over solo playing as a priority. Styles featured include Yankee, Irish, French, and Appalachian, to a lesser extent Bluegrass, Swing, Blues, and music from other countries. Reels, jigs and waltzes are the primary time signatures of the group’s repertoire, and most tunes are in the keys of D, A, C and G.

Participants need to supply their own instruments and are expected to start while taking lessons from a private instructor who supports their involvement with Fiddleheads. They should be able to play fiddle tunes at an appropriate tempo, and to be able to tune their instruments independently. Playing level is beginner to advanced. Beginners and those unsure about their ability level are encouraged to contact Mark Sustic about opportunities to observe and listen before deciding to participate.

Fiddleheads is available in small or large group formats for performances, celebrations, weddings, parties….. For more information contact Mark Sustic (802-849-6968) or emailmrksustc@together.net.

Book Us

Some places Fiddleheads have played…..

• 4H Teen Congress at the University of Vermont in Burlington
• Alburg Country Club in Alburg
• Apple Festival in South Hero
• Bellows Free Academy in Fairfax
• Burlington Irish Heritage Festival in Burlington
• Burlington Winter Festival at City Hall in Burlington
• Center on Disability and Community Inclusion at the University of Vermont in Burlington
• Champlain Valley Folk Festival at Kingsland Bay State Park in Ferrisburgh
• Children’s Memorial Concert in Ira Allen Chapel at the University of Vermont in Burlington
• Eastern Star Holiday Dinner at the Baptist Building in Fairfax
• Family Dances at the Town Hall in Waterville
• Fairfield Food Shelf Benefit at the Fairfield Center School
• Farewell Reunion at Grace Church in Sheldon
• Farmer’s Markets in Richmond, St. Albans and Stowe
• Fiddlers Variety Show at Bellows Free Academy in St. Albans
• Flynn Center for the Performing Arts in Burlington
• First Night! at Edmunds School in Burlington
• Fletcher Meeting House in Fletcher
• Folsom Educational and Community Center in South Hero
• Franklin County Humane Society Benefit at the St. Albans Historical Society
• Georgia Elementary School 8 th Grade Graduation
• Grand Isle State Park in Grand Isle
• International Women’s Day at the University of Vermont
• July 4 th Celebration in Fairfax
• Kids Day at Waterfront Park in Burlington
• Kids Maritime Festival at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum in Vergennes
• Kids on the Blcok Annual Meeting at the McClure Multi-Generational Center in Burlington
• Market Fest on Church Street Market Fest in Burlington
• National Traditional Old Time Fiddlers Contest at the Municipal Auditorium in Barre
• New England Exposition in Springfield, Massachusetts
• Northeast Heritage Workshops at Johnson State College in Johnson
• PTO Dinner and Dance at the Georgia Elementary School in Georgia
• Open Studio Weekend in Fairfax
• Shelburne Farms Harvest Festival at Shelburne Farms in Shelburne
• South Hero Public Library Annual Celebration in South Hero
• Tyler Place Resort in Highgate Springs
• United Methodist Church Harvest Dance in St. Albans
• Vermont Children’s Hospital in Burlington
• Vermont History Expo in Tunbridge
• Vermont Library Conference at the Wyndham Hotel in Burlington
• Vermont Maple Festival in St. Albans
• several weddings and private functions