Comprised of conservatory-trained violinists with deep roots in both historical performance practice and traditional folk styles, the Berwick Fiddle Consort (BFC), founded by Lydia Becker, Julia Connor, and Sarah Douglass, performs historical folk music on period instruments. The ensemble strives to approach fiddle tunes from a multi-faceted perspective, combining baroque violin technique, aurally-learned regional fiddling traditions, and study of historical manuscripts. Drawing on these sources, BFC creates period-instrument arrangements of traditional folk music that experiment with various aspects of historical performance, always bringing their own creativity to bear. The Berwick Fiddle Consort first debuted with Pegasus Rising in 2021.

BFC concerts offer an exciting counterpoint to the traditional canon of historical repertoire and the classical music experience.  Audience members are encouraged to tap their feet to the music, cheer after tune changes, or get up and dance.  This relaxed, welcoming performance atmosphere allows listeners to personally connect with the music and band members.

BFC was formed in the summer of 2018 at the Oregon Bach Festival when Lydia, Julia, and Sarah began a nightly tradition of meeting after rehearsals to play fiddle tunes on baroque violins well into the night. At these nocturnal jam sessions, they quickly found that performing 17th and 18th century music from the British Isles and Canada on the kinds of instruments that were used at that time opened up new dimensions of sound, rhythm, and musical expression. BFC presented their debut concert at the 2019 Boston Early Music Festival Fringe, and have since performed on the Society for Historically Informed Performance (SoHIP) Summer Concert season in 2020 and 2021, on the Pegasus Rising Artists and NYS Baroque Young Artists 2021 series, and at the 2023 BEMF Fringe.  Other performances include appearances at the Beacon Hill Friends House in Boston, the Sudbury Historical Society, and the Shutesbury Athletic Club in Massachusetts, Off the Dock chamber festival in Skaneateles, NY, St John’s in the Village in NYC, St John’s Episcopal in New Haven, and Will Rogers in Saranac Lake, NY. BFC has also been an ensemble-in-residence at Avaloch Farm in Boscawen, NH.