MINDEMOYA—It was a fiddle frenzy in front of packed houses at the St. Francis Anglican Church in Mindemoya, July 19 and July 20, as Matthew and Rick Piche held a concert. Crowds of 150 and 155 packed the church as the duo along with Matthew’s wife Emily singing and playing guitar on three songs, and Marg Piche singing on a couple of songs.
“This is the third concert we’ve done, and my son Matthew was here for our concert three years ago,” said Rick Piche. He pointed out proceeds raised from the concerts go back to the church.
For this concert, Mr. Piche welcomed his son Matthew on his return to Manitoulin. “He lives in Waterloo. He played solo with the Waterloo Symphony Orchestra and is doing some amazing stuff as a music teacher.”
Matthew Piche is the department head of a fluourishing music program in Waterloo. His orchestra won Platinum at this year’s Kiwanis Festival. Mr. Piche has also played a solo with the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Orchestra and his group performed on stage as guest of the KWS.
He has also been performing with the up and coming country artists, Eric Ethridge, whose first release, ‘Liquor’s Calling’ the Shots’ has made it to the top 40 on the Canadian Country charts.
The concerts last week featured Matthew’s fast and fantastic fiddling, with dad Rick on guitar and a special appearance by Emily.
Among the many songs the group played during the evening included a Celtic medley; Irish jigs; Beaumont Rag, old time fiddle; Texas Swing; ‘Sweet Georgia Brown,’ jazz; ‘Folsom Prison Blues,’ country vocal; ‘Rocky Road to Dublin,’ ‘Caliope House,’ ‘Mason’s Apron,’ Celtic; ‘Summer Time,’ jazz, vocal; ‘Connaughtman’s Rambles,’ ‘Musical Priest Irish,’ ‘Maple Sugar,’ old time fiddle Canadian; ‘Paper Moon,’ jazz vocal; two worship songs with Emily (Matthew’s wife) singing lead and playing guitar; ‘Czardaz’ Hungarian gypsy, classical; ‘I Saw the Light,’ Hank Williams, country gospel vocal; ‘Catharsis,’ Celtic, with Matthew step-dancing while playing violin; ‘Whiskey Before Breakfast,’ Irish, meditation, classical, with Emily playing violin; ‘Jerry’s Breakdown,’ Rick on guitar with Matthew standing behind him playing the same guitar; ‘Could I Have this Dance,’ by Anne Murray with Marg on lead vocal and Emily harmony, vocal; ‘Orange Blossom Special,’ old time fiddle (Matthew played one section behind his back).
The crowd called for and the group obliged with ‘Thank God I’m a Country Boy,’ vocal.
