Acoustic Roots Orchestra Registration
The New England Fiddle Ensemble's
Acoustic Roots Orchestra
Student Musicians Grades 3 - 12
The Acoustic Roots Orchestra is a great opportunity for school-aged musicians to play music together. This group combines all the kids who already play in the full ensemble with beginners who learn a smaller repertoire of music. ARO members learn the music in their regional group, through their school partnership program, with their private music teachers or as a member of the New England Fiddle Ensemble. All of the ARO kids come together for two full rehearsals and a concert. Explore different roots genres including country, bluegrass, western swing, old-time, Cajun, Celtic, rock and more!
Acoustic Roots Orchestra - 4 ways to participate!
- Regional Group
- Private Music Teacher Partnership Program
- School Partnership Program
- NEFE Youth (automatically enrolled in ARO)
All ARO Students Are Welcome to Participate in Our Full Group Rehearsals & Concert!
Acoustic Roots Orchestra Full Group Rehearsals
Friday, January 16 & Friday March 27, 2026
5:00-6:30pm
Star Theatre
120 Rogers Rd, Kittery, Maine
Acoustic Roots Orchestra Concert
Saturday, April 11, 2026
Time TBA
Star Theatre
120 Rogers Rd, Kittery, Maine
Acoustic Roots Orchestra
Music Selections & Learning Materials
Regional Groups
Durham, NH - Exeter, NH - Saco, Maine
$200
Each Group Includes:
Ten Regular Rehearsals from October though March
Two Full ARO rehearsals
Spring Concert
Learning Materials
Durham Group
Durham Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
20 Madbury Road, Durham, NH
Coach: Emilie Carroll
Check Back Soon For Rehearsal Dates
Exeter Group
Check Back Soon For Rehearsal Dates & Exact Location
Saco Group
First Parish Congregational Church, 12 Beach Street, Saco, Maine
Coach: Melissa Bragdon Caron
(Wednesdays from 5-6pm)
October 1 & 15
November 5 & 19
December 3
January 7 & 21
February 4
March 4 & 18
Private Music Teacher Partnership Program
$75
This Program Includes:
Two Full ARO rehearsals
Spring Concert
Learning Materials
Students will work on the ARO music with their private music teacher and attend the ARO Full Rehearsals & Spring Concert.
School Partnership Program
Fee is set by each school & the student pays the school
Participating Schools:
Portsmouth Christian Academy
Brixham Montessori School
This Program Includes:
Two Full ARO rehearsals
Spring Concert
Learning Materials
Students will work on the ARO music in a group at their school and attend the ARO Full Rehearsals & Spring Concert.
New England Fiddle Ensemble Youth Member
New England Fiddle Ensemble Members ages 17 and under are automatically enrolled in the ARO
This Program Includes:
ARO Regional Group Rehearsals of your choice (optional)
Two Full ARO rehearsals
Spring Concert
Learning Materials
Acoustic Roots Orchestra Coaches
Melissa Bragdon Caron
Paul Smith
Emilie Carroll
Sam Lyons
Madelyn Morrell
Susie Stevens
Taylor Blankenship
Student Leaders: Greta Erdmann & Maria Tilley
THANK YOU to our sponsors:
Celebrating our 17th anniversary in 2026!
A Community Orchestra
New Hampshire Fiddle Ensemble, Inc. 501c3 DBA "The New England Fiddle Ensemble"
New Hampshire Fiddle Ensemble 501c3
PO Box 77
Nottingham, NH 03290
Copyright 2025
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