This is my first page on Wikipedia. It will contain an historical account of the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Association (CGMFA), of which the organization's website can be found at cgmfa-acgmv.ca. Information on this article with relevant links shall include:
1. Ottawa Beginnings – The Wish for a Fiddle Event at Centrepointe Theatre in Nepean from 1987-1989 2. The First Contest in 1990 3. Later Contests in Nepean/Ottawa from 1991-2012 4. Fiddle Camp at Carleton University and the Long Island Locks (Manotick) 1996-2018 5. Evolution from an Ottawa local board to a National Executive 6. Recognition as a Canadian National Arts Organization 7. The CGM’s Role in Establishing Canadian National Fiddling Day 8. The Competition Goes National – Saskatoon and Beyond (2013 to present) 9. The COVID-19 Era 10. List of CGM Champions and Their Links 11. List of CGM Lifetime Achievement Award Winners and Their Links 12. List of Canadian Fiddle Legends recognized by the CGM for a future Canadian Fiddlers Hall of Honour 13. List of CGM Award of Merit Recipients (Builders Award) 14. List of Junior Showcase Participants and Their Links 15. Organization – Executive Members (Presidents) 16. Links to the Canadian Provincial/Territorial Fiddle Associations 17. References
NOTE: I am writing this notice to all on Wikipedia as a board member of the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Association (CGMFA), Canada’s national fiddling organization (http://cgmfa-acgmv.ca). We are a registered Canadian arts organization under the Canadian government, a registered charity under the Canada Revenue Agency and have been incorporated under all relevant laws of the Canadian Province of Ontario. Our national board of directors is working in concert with all of our Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Champions and Lifetime Achievement Award winners since the beginning of the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Competition to develop, expand and update Wikipedia articles in the efforts to educate, inform and promote those who have actively performed, taught, composed and promoted Canadian fiddle music from past to present. Our goal is to standardize the articles already posted and use the same format for all future articles on our Canadian champions and other award recipients.
I hold B.Mus.-Mus. Ed and B.Ed. (Elementary) degrees from the University of Saskatchewan (1991, usask.ca) and a Master degree in Ethnomusicology (the cultural study of music) from the University of Bergen (2010, uib.no) in Norway. The CGMFA Board of Directors has appointed me as the lead researcher for this music history project, related ethnomusicology research and historical maintenance of all present and future articles. Our history and archive committee are myself, Board member Michel Mallette from Valleyfield, Quebec (who will also be responsible for French language articles related to the CGMFA’s work), and Cathy Sproule of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, President of the CGMFA. The work we will submit will also be under academic scrutiny of other academics in folklore, oral history and ethnomusicology. These people are Dr. Sherry Johnson, Professor of Ethnomusicology at York University in Toronto, Ontario and Dr. Monique Giroux, Professor of Metis and Cultural Studies at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada.
Our main concern going forward is this. We fear that people related to Wikipedia who do not know the Canadian fiddling community or the Canadian fiddle scene may attempt without our knowledge and permission to change the content of articles we will be assisting others to maintain and update. I have noticed this in the discussion pages with Wikipedia articles on some of Canada's top fiddlers and find this deeply concerning. Although Wikipedia articles can be edited by anyone, any editing without our permission or the permission of the person(s) involved will not be accepted under any terms by the CGMFA as all information coming forward will be academically sound. Any information or inquiries can be sent to our president via e-mail (cathysproule@sasktel.net.) We strongly urge all in Wikipedia to check all available Canadian fiddle websites to educate themselves on the music, people and events that take place within this traditional music genre before taking any action. Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation as this process goes forward.
Sincerely,
Trent Bruner (Pianocan1)
Canwood, Saskatchewan
Member, Board of Directors
Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Association