We are thrilled to say that Pierre Schryer is coming to Music Camp this year! We’ve known Pierre for years as he and his siblings (Louis, Daniel, Julie, and Raymond) attended the same fiddling and step dancing contests that we did as young children. (Yes, the same Louis Schryer who has been with our Camp for several years now.)
Since those early days, Pierre has become a celebrated producer, performer, and overall gem on the Celtic music scene among fans and fellow musicians the world over. His background stems from the vibrant Franco-Ontarian culture of Canada. From an early age he was immersed in the music and traditions of his heritage at Canadian fiddle competitions, and performed with his brothers as “The Schryer Triplets” (Louis, Daniel). The triplets recorded 2 albums and appeared on numerous radio documentaries and television shows, including “The Tommy Hunter Show.”
As a solo performer, Pierre has received numerous titles and awards including Canadian Open Fiddle Champion, Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Champion, Violoneux Championnat and North American Irish Fiddle Champion. For over two decades Pierre has been touring in North America, the UK and Ireland, headlining festivals and captivating audiences with his musical finesse, genuine warmth, and stunning technical ability in a variety of styles from Irish, Scottish and Québecois, to Canadian Old Time and American Swing. He has performed with symphony orchestras across Canada with his acclaimed Symphony Pops show.
Among his six solo recordings released on his own label New Canadian Records, “Blue Drag” was honoured with a nomination at the 2004 JUNO Awards for best Roots and Traditional (Group) Album of the Year, and “Mélange” at the 2008 Canadian Folk Music Awards for Instrumental Solo Album of the Year. His renowned 1999 release of “2 Worlds United”, a brilliant duo album with top Irish button accordionist Dermot Byrne, was produced by Steve Cooney in Ireland and James Stephens in Canada, and distributed worldwide by Claddagh Records, Dublin. Pierre’s live performance tracks with Québécois artists Raynald Ouellet (button accordion) and Normand Legault (foot percussion and stepdance) can be heard on “The Gathering – Various Artists,” released in 1995 on Real World and Virgin records, a project initiated by Professor Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, Founding Director & Chair of Music at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick.
Currently, Pierre is touring and performing as a member of the new group “3TíR,” a dynamic trio with Irish accordionist Dermot Byrne and Canadian west coast guitarist Adam Dobres. 3TíR will be embarking on a 40-day Coast to Coast Canadian Tour in Summer of 2017 with appearances at festivals including Vancouver Island MusicFest (BC), Festival Mémoire et Racine (QC), Goderich Celtic Roots Festival (ON) and Newfoundland & Labrador Folk Festival (NL).
Pierre’s talents extend beyond his musical abilities – an accomplished luthier and watercolour artist, he currently performs on one of his own violins and has created the cover art and design for his recordings. Pierre is the founder and artistic director of the “Canadian Celtic Celebration,” a three-day festival presented in Thunder Bay, Ontario each June. Dedicated to passing on the tradition, Pierre teaches the art of fiddling at fiddle camps around the country and is committed to creating community through traditional music sessions and ceilidh dances. We are really looking forward to experiencing this sense of community with Pierre and everyone who comes to Camp this summer!