2023 NC HIP MUSIC FESTIVAL LECTURE: Black Fiddlers of Monticello

Black Fiddlers of Monticello tells the story of the three fiddle-playing sons of Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson, as well as their fiddling cousins, the Scotts. Both families played for important events at Monticello and lived in downtown Charlottesville for a time. This multimedia program will teach participants about these fiddlers’ important musical contributions, and you will hear what the music sounded like through a performance demonstration by David McCormick – violinist, scholar, and 2020 Fellow of the International Center for Jefferson Studies.

Baroque violinist David McCormick is artistic director of Early Music Access Project, founding member of Brooklyn-based medieval ensemble Alkemie, and the executive director of Early Music America.

This performance is in Goodson Chapel, which is in the Divinity School of Duke University. You may park in the Bryan Center parking deck, walk towards Duke Chapel and the Divinity School is the building immediately next to Duke Chapel on its right side (if you are facing the chapel). Walk along the Chapel’s right side, and enter the Divinity School at the back-most entrance, go down the stairs and Goodson chapel is on your left.