THE NEWS FROM BRUNER’S BROOD 36th CANADIAN GRAND MASTERS FIDDLING COMPETITION - HIGH RIVER, ALBERTA - SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2026

As I write this article from a Calgary hotel room after the 36^th Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Competition in nearby High River, Alberta, I trust all is well with you and that you continue to have a good summer. For those who have recently liked and followed my artist page since my last posting, thank you for your interest and kind support, as I warmly welcome the new followers who have come onboard. Please share this page with others, tell those you know that this page and website exists, and let them know that activities and events are lining up for fall and winter 2026. Here’s the latest for my Facebook pages and www.trentbruner.com. I continue to view this national fiddle gathering each August as “The Grey Cup of Canadian Fiddling.” It is Canada’s national fiddle championship, and the quality of music has continued to be performed at a high standard. In 2026, a major step was taken by the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Association (CGMFA) to ensure this standard would be enhanced and expanded to include a new national junior class (16 years and under) and a new national senior class. (60 years and over) This was done in the interests of bringing in additional fiddlers to inspire and include in the promotion, development and nurturing of Canadian fiddling. Under this new format, 15 junior fiddlers, 11 senior fiddlers and 27 championship contestants competed for top prizes and the recognition of additional national champions in all classes. The event began with an old time fiddle jam at the Monroe Farm Thursday, August 27^th with over 50 fiddlers plus accompanists in attendance and an enthusiastic audience for the sunny Thursday night jam session. For August 28^th and 29^th, the Highwood Centre in High River was the main venue for the competition weekend and the Friday night welcome dance with contestants, judges, accompanists and others providing the dance music. Sunday, August 30^th marked the wrap up jam session at George Lane Park, with a collection of contestants, accompanists and other interested fiddlers coming to play fiddle music under the gazebo in the middle of this park. The weather was rainy during the morning, but the decision was made to proceed despite the rain. Many in the audience came under some tent canopies and rain gear to enjoy the music. Attendance for the Friday and Saturday events were at listed capacity. Additional tickets were gradually released for sale as demand was monitored by the Highwood Centre and CGMFA treasurer Phil Hutlet until sellouts at maximum capacity were reached. A major thank you goes to all those who purchased tickets and honoured them with their attendance at these events. Funds from these sales help finance future national championships and related events. As one of the house accompanists working alongside Jeremy Rusu of Brockville, Ontario, we were the fortunate ones to help many fiddlers become the best they could be as they competed for the honour of Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Champion. Not only do we thank the Canadian Grand Masters for having us serve in this role, but we also thank the fiddlers who put their faith in us to do a job that puts us in a team environment, sharing the stage with them and accompanying them with their competition sets. They always share a part of themselves when they perform, and it is our pleasure to share a part of us in their performances each time we appear at a fiddle contest. Thank you for including us. The pleasure is always ours to serve and help. Major salutes and bouquets go to Randy Jones and Barb Haney of High River, Alberta, for their leadership and efforts for this Alberta provincial organizing committee, which was capably assisted by Calvin Vollrath and Rhea Labrie, the Alberta Society of Fiddlers, The Prairie Mountain Fiddlers of Calgary, and the Wild Rose Old Time Fiddling Association of Edmonton, along with many volunteers who capably served in support roles. Louis Schryer of Chapeau, Quebec, Scott Woods of Fergus, Ontario, and Julie Fitzgerald of Toronto, Ontario, served as the contest judges while Calvin Vollrath was the master of ceremonies. Rhea Labrie was acting as the production manager for the entire event. Streaming services, lighting and sound were also provided by Canadiana Music Corporation, which were viewed worldwide with many reports of good quality. The winners from the 2026 Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Competition in High River, Alberta on August 28 & 29, 2026 are as follows: CHAMPIONSHIP CLASS 1. Anna Smilek - Waterloo, ON (first ever win) 2. Raymond Knorr - Stratford, PEI 3. Eric Provencher - Cochrane, AB 4. Ben Rutz – Bedford, NS 5. Max Francis - Victoria, BC 6. Paul Lemelin – Val Therese, ON 7. Emily Yarascavitch - Toronto, ON 8. Lucie Lazarus - Chapeau, QC 9. Jarred Albright - Edmonton, AB 10. Hannah Moira Midtboe-Bruner, Valestrand, Norway (Dual citizen)

Ward Allen Memorial Award for Best Waltz – Anna Smilek for 'Phil & Irene's Waltz' from the Finals.

People’s Choice Award, sponsored by Calvin Vollrath – Benjamin Christiani, Edmonton, AB

Championship Yamaha Silent Violin Winner – Ryan D'Aoust, Norway House, MB JUNIOR CLASS 1. Hudson Helferty - Douglas, ON 2. Denver Helferty - Douglas, ON 3. Callum Helferty - Douglas, ON 4. Ellianna Lee - Halifax, NS 5. May McCusker - Winnipeg, MB

SENIOR CLASS 1. Laurie Maetche - Lacombe, AB 2. Troy Gates - Sturgeon County, AB 3. Laura Hall - Hagar, ON 4. Ray Pettigrew - Forest, ON 5. Valerie Nathanson - Edmonton, AB Junior/Senior Yamaha Silent Violin Winner - Lysia Ternier, Kamloops, BC The 37^th Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Competition will be held in Quebec for the second time on August 27-28, 2027, in Valleyfield, southwest of Montreal. Details and further announcements will be found via the link at https://www.canadiangrandmasters.ca. My next report will come from the 48^th Pembroke Fiddle and Step Dance Contest on Labour Day weekend in Ontario. Until next time, see you down the musical trail! Musically yours, Trent