Fancy Fiddlers

The string ensemble Fancy Fiddlers consists of talented violinists and cellists ranging in age from 6 to 18, under the supervision of the Hilversum-based violin pedagogue, Coosje Wijzenbeek. The young violinists come to Hilversum from all over The Netherlands each week for individual lessons. In addition, they study chamber music every Saturday in various combinations, together with the students of colleague cello pedagogues at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, under the name Fancy Fiddlers.

The ensemble originated in 1984 after an exchange program with Hungarian string talent. Since then, Fancy Fiddlers have performed for various functions on many Dutch concert podia, including The Concertgebouw, but also throughout Europe and even in China.

The Fancy Fiddlers are delighted that Splendor offers them a podium where their musical development can be seen and heard during several Sunday morning concerts. A beautiful opportunity also for parents, grandparents and young friends to experience their pleasure in performing together. The concert repertoire ranges from solo works to string orchestra works, and the concerts are intended to provide these talented young musicians with as much podium experience as possible.
Many soloists have gotten their start with Fancy Fiddlers, including Janine Jansen and more recently Rosanne and Julia Philippens. Moreover, former Fancy Fiddlers have achieved important positions in various chamber music ensembles and orchestras and have built reputations in The Netherlands and abroad.
In order to create an opportunity to study and renew their repertoire during an intensive period under one roof, study weeks are often organized in The Netherlands, as well as in Switzerland and France, during school vacations.

Concert tickets sales and gifts from the public and sponsors make these extra study activities possible. And that is necessary, to provide these young people with the opportunity to expand their talents within the large international music scene.