Westminster Colleges Strathgheny School of Scottish Fiddling Announces Two Free Public Concerts

Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, will host two free public concerts featuring its Strathgheny School of Scottish Fiddling on June 22 and June 26. The events, held at the New Wilmington Borough Amphitheater, will conclude a week‑long Scottish fiddling camp that brought students from across the United States to the campus for intensive instruction.

The first concert, scheduled for 8 p.m. on Monday, June 22, will be an Instructor’s Concert. Dr. Melinda Perttu, professor of music and director of the Strathgheny School, will perform alongside guest fiddle instructor David Gardner of Williamsburg, Virginia. Keyboard accompaniment will be provided by Dr. Daniel Perttu, also a professor of music at Westminster. The second concert, at 8 p.m. on Friday, June 26, will feature the Strathgheny Fiddlers Concert, a showcase of the students who completed the camp.

The Strathgheny School is a week‑long immersion program that teaches traditional and contemporary Scottish fiddling. Participants study bowing techniques, ornamentation, rhythmic nuance, and the interpretation of traditional notation. The program also emphasizes learning by ear and the use of contemporary notation practices. This year’s camp offered both in‑person instruction and an online participation option.

Dr. Perttu is a sanctioned Scottish FIRE judge and the U.S. National Scottish Fiddling Champion. She is the author of A Violinist’s Guide to Scottish Fiddling and holds a bachelor’s degree from Duquesne University, as well as a master’s degree and a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University. David Gardner, also a sanctioned Scottish FIRE judge, is a professional fiddler, director of the Williamsburg Strathspey and Reel Society, and a Fulbright scholar in music.

Both concerts are free and open to the public. The New Wilmington Borough Amphitheater is located in New Wilmington Borough Park on Beechwood Avenue. If inclement weather occurs, performances will be moved to the Berlin Lounge in Westminster College’s McKelvey Campus Center.

The concerts are part of a broader effort by Westminster College to promote Scottish musical traditions in the United States. The Strathgheny School has been held annually for several years, and the college’s music department has highlighted the program in local media, including the New Castle News and WCN 247. The camp’s online component has expanded its reach beyond the campus, allowing participants who cannot travel to New Wilmington to engage with the curriculum.

The concerts will provide an opportunity for the community to experience Scottish fiddling in a live setting and to hear the results of the week‑long training. The program’s emphasis on both traditional and contemporary techniques reflects the evolving nature of Scottish folk music, which continues to attract interest from musicians and scholars worldwide.

Westminster College’s music department has maintained a partnership with the Strathgheny School since its inception. The school’s curriculum is designed to be accessible to students with varying levels of experience, and the camp’s structure encourages collaborative learning.

The events are scheduled to take place in the evenings, allowing students and faculty to perform after their daytime classes. The amphitheater’s open‑air setting is well suited to the acoustic qualities of the fiddle and the accompanying instruments.

In summary, Westminster College will host two free concerts on June 22 and June 26 that showcase the work of its Strathgheny School of Scottish Fiddling. The concerts feature prominent instructors, a student showcase, and a continuation of the college’s commitment to Scottish musical education. The events are open to the public and will be relocated to the Berlin Lounge if weather conditions require.