Rhiannon Schmitt & the Shuswap Violin Society

Rhiannon bestows a fine violin which was donated to the SVS to 12-year old Salmon Arm violinist Katerina for a special two-year loan. "It is a tough struggle for a young person to operate a viable business on their own in these competitive times, but Rhiannon also finds the time and interest to give back to the community." Lorne Reimer, Arm Communications   “Music education is an integral component of a young person’s development.  The work that the Shuswap Violin Society does is so important in nurturing the next generation of fiddle players in Canada.  Keep up the great work!”  - Pinchas Zukerman, Conductor National Arts Orchestra of Canada

Fiddleheads' Rhiannon Schmitt and other local violinists created a legacy for violinists and fiddlers of the Shuswap.

The society operated from 2003 to 2007.

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In 2001 Rhiannon saw a need for violin and fiddle workshops in her small town. In typical Rhiannon style, the small workshop grew to become the "Strings Alive Festival for Violinists and Fiddlers." Strings Alive featured two entire days of various workshops, fiddle contests, evening concerts and jam sessions and was hosted annually.

Rhiannon soon found that the tasks of organizer, emcee, janitor and nursing mom too much to handle on top of adjudicating and performing the entire day!

In the summer of 2003 Rhiannon sought assistance to continue hosting her Strings Alive. Yet again, this simple concept took on a life of its own and the tiny workshop committee developed into a motivated non-profit group!

Thus was the beginning of the Shuswap Violin Society.

The group supported violinists and fiddlers in their local community by means of scholarships ($4000 in 3 years), instrument banks, live music events, educational workshops with master musicians, a music teacher registry and a great website.

Rhiannon served five years as Founding President with an outstanding and dedicated group of directors and members.

Unfortunately, as is common with many small groups, the board couldn't keep up with the many projects and some directors resigned for various reasons such as retirement, family injuries, new jobs, etc. Rhiannon, who was pregnant with her second son, and the directors believed the society had accomplished exactly what it sent out to do and it was time to let other local groups take over where the SVS left off.

The directors donated all remaining funds and instruments to other local arts and music groups, where the SVS legacy will live on.

More on the SVS

The Shuswap Violin Society (SVS) was a non-profit society incorporated under the "Societies Act" of the Province of British Columbia, Canada, Reg # S-46521.

The SVS' purposes were to promote violin and fiddle music in the Shuswap and

• To provide assistance and opportunities to violinists and fiddlers of all ages through scholarships, instrument loans and career development programs and other related projects as determined by the membership.

• To foster unity and community spirit and encourage musical diversity and versatility by means of educational workshops, public concerts and similar events as determined by the membership.

• To establish new and support existing music ensembles and bands with a focus on violin and fiddle.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about Rhiannon's role with the Shuswap Violin Society.

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