THE NEWS FROM BRUNER’S BROOD - SUNDAY, AUGUST 18, 2026: FUNDRAISING, CROSS COUNTRY RECORDING AND A TV TAPING

Hi everyone!

As I write this article when moments allow, I trust all is well with you and that your musical experiences again have been enjoyable and pleasant. For those who have recently liked and followed my artist page since my last postings July 8 and July 24, 2026, thank you very much for your interest and kind support, as I warmly welcome all 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 nicely for fall 2026 and beyond. Here’s the latest for my Facebook pages and www.trentbruner.com. 

As some of you know through various posts on social media and www.trentbruner.com, our daughter, Mannah Moira Midtbø-Bruner, was accepted to compete at the 2026 Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Competition in High River, Alberta, south of Calgary, on August 28th-29th. As we advertised on Facebook, Instagram, X and www.trentbruner.com, as well as with various posters, we had a fundraising concert for her at Den Grøne Fabrikken (The Green Factory) in Hosanger, on the Island of Osterøy on Thursday, August 6^th. We had 57 people for paid attendance, with patrons coming from Osterøy, Vaksdal, Knarvik, Bergen, and international visitors from Uruguay and Israel. We presented a concert of Norwegian and Canadian fiddle music for the audience, which include selections from Hannah Moira’s participation at Landskappleiken (The Norwegian national traditional folk music championships) and some of her Canadian fiddle tunes she has been working on for the August competition. We also had a surprise guest! Alexander Sælølen from Bergen shared his repertoire of Irish folk music on fiddle and four string banjo. This was Alexander’s first ever performance at Osterøy and his music was well received by the audience. Profits from this performance covered a portion of plane tickets and hotel rooms within Canada. Thanks to those who could not attend but donated the value of a concert ticket towards Hannah’s 2026 travels from inside and outside Osterøy. We appreciate your support very much.

After landing in Montreal August 15^th, it was meeting Hannah in Montreal and travelling to Trois Rivières to record an EP CD with button accordionist Justin Bell. We recorded six medleys during this weekend, with a collection of rarely heard Quebecois tunes and a set of traditional old time waltzes that were often played in Western Canada for many years. Hannah and I combined this recording session with a great visit with Justin, learning more about francophone culture in Quebec, various ways you could serve Poutine at a local restaurant during the sessions, and enjoy a tourist Monday in Montreal, tasting world class bagels before Justin returned to prepare for his school year at CJUP Trois Rivières. Hannah and I were then tourists as we took time to walk around Chinatown and enjoy a dessert restaurant on the trail towards Old Montreal, and we enjoyed live jazz music at a local restaurant in Old Montreal, as well as buying a few souvenirs along the way.

As our flights towards Saskatoon were staggered on Tuesday, I was able to rehearse in Saskatoon with two junior representatives from Saskatchewan who will compete in the first ever national junior class at the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Competition in High River, Alberta. When we got back to Canwood, it was time to organize and practice for future events in the coming days.

The busy weekend ended with a quick trip to Alberta where I had the chance to gain a second recording session. When in St. Paul, Alberta on Saturday, August 22nd, I had been invited by Calvin Vollrath to record piano parts for three old time fiddle medleys on a future album of old Canadian favourites to be released at a future date. After the session was completed, Hannah was able to have a fiddle lesson with one of Canada’s premier fiddlers, which was warmly and enthusiastically welcomed by Hannah in her preparation as a contestant at the 2026 Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Competition.

After Hannah Moira’s fiddle lesson was completed, it was off to Ulver Chevrolet in Lloydminster to meet Alberta singer/songwriter Caroline Parke. This was for a television program taping for the second season of her TV series “Straight from the Heart.” It will have nine episodes for the upcoming season in 2027. The series will be televised on Telus TV with repeat airings to come on YouTube. Caroline’s interview was with me, which was the third taping of that Saturday session. The series features interviews with various musicians from inside and outside Alberta on their musical careers and backgrounds. To conclude the taping, there was a request for musical selections to round out the planned episode. An appearance with fiddler Erin Foreman was included in this episode as well for the musical part of the presentation. We were on a timeline to get the taping done, but we were able to do this as the dealership was closing at 6:00 pm local time and get the instruments and TV gear packed up before going out for supper and then travelling home. All in all, it was a busy, but very productive day for all involved. Check Caroline Parke’s songwriter page on Facebook for viewing dates on the various episodes that will be presented as soon as editing and final presentation work is complete.

The next article will be a report on the Canadian Grand Masters Sendoff fiddle show and dry dance at the Canwood Elks Hall on Monday, August 24th, which has been advertised on social media and at www.trentbruner.com. Check the events listing of my artist page and my performance calendar at my website for more information. Major thanks to all social media, radio and television who have helped the Canwood Library Board promote this fifth annual event in support of Saskatchewan reps to the Canadian Grand Masters and other guests who will share their talents. I will accompany on piano and be Master of Ceremonies for the evening’s festivities. Until next time, see you soon down the musical trail!

Musically yours, Trent