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
Portsmouth, NH - Saco, Maine
$200
Each Group Includes:
Eight 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
(Wednesdays 5-6pm)
October 29
November 19
December 3
(January-March dates TBA)
Exeter Group
First Unitarian Universalist Society of Exeter
12 Elm Street, Exeter, NH
Coach: Sam Lyons
(Wednesdays 5:30-6:30pm)
October 29
November 12
December 3
January 7 & 21
February 11
March 4 & 11
Portsmouth Group
Middle Street Baptist Church
18 Court Street, Portsmouth, NH
Coach: Madelyn Morrell
(Thursdays 5-6pm)
November 13
December 11
January 8 & 22
February 12 & 26
March 12 & 26
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, Coach & Music Director
Emilie Carroll, Coach
Sam Lyons, Coach
Madelyn Morrell, Coach
Susie Stevens, Coach
Taylor Blankenship, Coach
Greta Erdmann & Maria Tilley, Student Leaders
Paul Smith, Coach & Program Administrator
Callie Bacho, Program Administrator
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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