Through the Years...

Upon the demolition of the old Cornwall School, Kam Valley was forced to seek new rehearsal facilities The nineteen nineties was a decade of rapid growth both in terms of new and young fiddlers, and the level of performance. This was due, in part, to the appearance on the scene of Don Pettigrew, who transferred to Thunder Bay with the OPP. He was very effective in tutoring a few of the more serious youngsters and they rapidly developed extensive repertoires.

It was also during this era that we were invited to rehearse in the new music wing at Westgate High School. Rob Randle took time to work bi-weekly with the students, teaching them traditional Scottish and Irish tunes, and also some of his own compositions. Robbie Walters and Amy Graham were strong performers through the nineties. It was also during this era that some of these young musicians competed in contests in Thunder Bay, and in Minnesota and Wisconsin. These Kam Valley young fiddlers were much in demand to entertain at seniors' homes, weddings, banquets, and they took part in celebrations at Old Fort William.

Cornwall School Days

Since its inception in 1976, the "Kam Valley Symphony" – a group of adult musicians – performed around town and in the district at seniors homes, fiddle contests and other events. The emphasis was on being true to the art form of fiddling, especially Canadian style fiddling applied to the traditional Scottish and Irish dance music. Some of the early members were fiddlers RAY KOENIG, JACK YOUNG, JACK HILL, JIM HAUKKANEN (Red Rock), pianist ART GAGNON, and guitarist DAVE KIMPTON.

Directions changed in the late 1980's with the addition of two younger talents not yet in their teens – CAILIN NELSON and GRAHAM FORSHAW. They both sought out more challenging music and about this time DON PETTIGREW and ROB RANDLE became closely involved with the group as teachers, composers and performers. In the early 1990's, other youth came aboard – DAWN WALTERS, THOMAS MATHEWS and ANDREW BRYAN. Formal rehearsals under Rob Randle's leadership started in the old Cornwall School on Algoma Street, and the "youth movement" took off.

Cape Breton

In the summer of 2004 five of the Kam Valley youth along with Rob, Dave and George Holborn were asked to perform at the Trout Forest Music Festival and as a result of the girls' dynamic stage presentations, they were invited to Cape Breton by Jennifer Roland, a top-notch east coast professional musician. The group put on several fund-raising concerts in Thunder Bay before Westjetting to Halifax and motoring on to Cape Breton the last week of June 2004.

Jennifer was an outstanding host - arranging for accommodations at the Gaelic College, concerts on the Cape and a jam session with local musicians at Rollie's Wharf. The troop took part in a few workshops at the College and also spent a few hours chasing whales on the high seas. A highlight - aside from a traditional lobster dinner - was a concert with Jenn at the restored Louisburg Playhouse.

KVF Members of the Past...

Rob Randle
Fiddle teacher and composer.

Adar Charlton
Age four started classical with Suzuki method and five years fiddle with Kam Valley. In final year at SWCVI IB program and then university.

Dave Kimpton
Manages and plays guitar with Kam Valley since its inception over 15 years ago.

Megan Seargeant
Fiddle.

Linnea Thacker
Piano lessons age 4 and classical violin age 9, persuaded by Elizabeth to join KVF in 2000. Trumpeter with SWCVI band and in final year IB program then university.

Elizabeth Massi
Started violin at the age of 8 through a school program, switched to Suzuki the following year. Joined KVF at the age of 11 and won the 12 and under fiddle class at the final Thunder Bay Old Tyme Fiddle Contest. Has one fiddle student, taught fiddle classes at the Thunder Bay Suzuki Music Camp in 2003 and 2004. She is also a viola student and plays French Horn with the St. Patrick's High School band. Sept./05 will see her continuing her music education at Brandon University.

In Photo
Back: Rob Randle, Adar Charlton 
Middle: Dave Kimpton, Megan Seargeant, Linnea Thacker, Elizabeth Massi 
Front: Annie Livingstone, George Holborn