Welcome!
The Washington Old Time Fiddlers Association (WOTFA) is a non-profit organization formed in 1965 to preserve and promote old time fiddling and related arts.
Who We Are
Statewide, we now have around 1700 members, arranged geographically into districts. Talented musicians range in age from 5 up into the 90's. We welcome new members (you do not have to be a musician to join). Membership benefits include the opportunity to attend the summer Fiddle Workshop, plus monthly WOTFA newsletters, which publicize all statewide activities (including shows) and the sheet music for a selected song each month.
What We Do
We are a very active organization statewide and perform at various functions (nursing homes, retirement homes, senior centers, clubs, religious groups, civic functions, etc.) throughout the year. Donations from many of these functions are used to cover our operating expenses. Please check with the district you would like to visit for times and locations of monthly jam sessions and meetings in your area. These are open to the public to come and listen.
State Convention in Kittitas, Washington
The Washington Old Time Fiddlers held our annual convention during our summer Workshop on July 27, 2011. You need not attend the Workshop to participate in the convention, which will be next July at the Kittitas school, near Ellensburg. We hope you will attend.
Summer Music Workshop and Campouts
Workshop Update is posted (1/11/2012). We hold a week-long Fiddle, Guitar and Mandolin Workshop in Kittitas in the summer, taught by nationally recognized artists. The 2012 workshop will be July 23-27, 2012. The earliest date to mail your enrollment forms is MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2012 and to get priority registration, you must be a member of WOTFA by 2/28/2012 and must postmark your registration form ON April 2, 2012. Please see the workshop page for more information and to download the class offerings and registration form when it is posted in early February. Please stay tuned!
Campouts are weekend gatherings that several of the districts sponsor each summer. They are great opportunities to jam, socialize and learn new tunes. Please see the calendar page.
Young Fiddlers
To carry on our tradition, we enthusiastically promote youth musicianship. Many districts have Junior Old Time Fiddlers Groups for children ages 5 to 18. Some districts offer scholarships to youth who want to attend the summer Kittitas Workshop. Some districts have a free music lesson at their meetings or sponsor free lessons from designated instructors in exchange for volunteering for the district.
Research & Archives
WOTFA promotes and conducts research on old time and traditional fiddling and maintains archives and collections. Check out our Tune of the Month page to listen and learn about some of the tunes we are playing and the people who taught them to us.
Updated 1/11/2012