Fiddles, Faith & Frontier Communities

This unique program, led by Texas historian Kurt Terry and Scottish fiddler Colin MacLeod, blends frontier storytelling, music, faith traditions and cultural exploration from the Scots settlers in Salado across the Southwest frontier. Weaving words and images with live fiddle performances, the program offers a rich and memorable journey into the sounds, stories, and communities of 19th-century Texas and beyond.
“We will follow the movement of people and ideas along frontier routes linking the historic village of Salado with the wider western frontier to reveal how music and faith traveled together to shape the spirit and cultural fabric of America,” says Colin MacLeod. “This includes spiritual traditions that influenced daily life across the Southwest through hymns, fiddle tunes, communal singing, dances and shared gatherings.”
Kurt Terry is a Professor of History at Temple College. He holds a BA in History from Baylor University, an MA in History from Stephen F. Austin State University, and is a doctoral candidate in History at Oklahoma State University. He has given a number of presentations at educational conferences, including a joint session with the Texas State Historical Association. His research into the history of Texas frontier communities adds a special focus to this singular experience in words and music.
Colin MacLeod, known as the Celtic Fiddle Guru, has been playing Celtic fiddle since the age of seven, growing up in Scotland amid a rich family tradition of ceilidhs and communal music-making. Trained to Grade 8 Violin Distinction and having performed with Celtic bands in Australia, he has taught fiddle by ear to students across Scotland, Australia and the United States since 2007. His research into how music shaped the lives of Scottish emigrant communities makes him a natural voice for this program.

Friday, July 10, 2:00 p.m.
Lucile A. Robertson Event Center
423 South Main Street
Suggested donation $10 at the door