Missouri Creole Fiddle Lessons
Ste. Genevieve High School students recently spent time in Mr. Michael Ruch’s American History classes learning about local French history and culture through music. Students related major historical events such as the establishment of Louisiana as a French colony and its subsequent loss in the Seven Years War. The Louisiana territory was then divided between England and Spain, the victors of the Seven Years War against the French. Many French settlers living east of the Mississippi in the Illinoiscountry were reluctant to live under the rule of their ancient enemy England after fighting such a bitter war. So, they opted to move west of the Mississippi Riveraway from English authority. However, they also resented Spanish authority west of the Mississippi River, so they established new and remote settlements. Much like the Acadians that were forced earlier from Canada and developed “Cajun” culture in Louisiana, these settlements throughout Missouri have retained pieces of old French culture such as language and music. There are places near-by in Missouri, such as Old Mines, where old time French fiddle tunes and French language are still heard. Students then connected these events to the French culture influences on Ste. Genevieve. The best way to learn is through hands on experience, so each student was given the opportunity to learn and play on historic, frontier-style and hand-built fiddles and other instruments. The students really seemed to enjoy getting their hands on instruments that are not commonly played these days and learned about local history, too.