Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Musicians Pamela Longtine and Dick Kimmel paired their musical talents and story-telling abilities to entertain and teach kids about the fiddle. Above, Longtine reads a book by Laura Ingalls Wilder describing how her grandfather fiddled to entertain the neighbors in pioneer days. See more pictures on page 8A.

NEW ULM — Saturday morning at the Public Library fiddle player Pamela Longtine partnered with local musician Dick Kimmel for “Fiddle Fun” a special music program.

Longtine introduced area children to the basics of fiddle music through stories and fiddle performances with Kimmel.

Early in the program Longtine asked the children if they knew the difference between violin and fiddle? One clever child said “they had different names.”

Longtine and Kimmel said this was actually true.

Both the violin and fiddle are the same instrument, but the style of play and type of music determines if it is a fiddle. Violins are associated with classical and jazz music, while the fiddle is linked with folk, country and bluegrass music.

Longtine shared stories of the fiddles important role in families and communities. In the early frontier days fiddle music was the most common style of music played at community dance socials. Often fiddles tunes were passed down through the generations

At the end of the program Longtine invited the children to play few notes on a small scale fiddle.

Longtine said in high school she played the viola in orchestra, but in early 20s decided she wanted to the learn the fiddle.

“It became my favorite thing,” she said.

In addition to the fiddle Longtine has a background in Early Childhood education and felt music base program was a good fit.

She said any child interested in playing the fiddle should go for it. “Don’t get frustrated and don’t give up.”