KC Winter Festival of Strings 2025 >
Online School In-Person Workshop Latest News Merch Gift a Class! Account Login

Learn to Fiddle in Wichita!

Sundays @ Tor Brewing

January 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th

2:00-3:00pm:
Absolute Beginner class
3:00-4:00pm:
Combo class (beginners + more experienced)

Sign Up!

Drunken Fiddles

Drunken Fiddles is a group class for adults who would like to learn how to play the fiddle, cello or viola from the VERY beginning.  During the 4 week workshop participants will learn a new fiddle tune each week in a relaxed group environment. We drink wine, we laugh, we have fun and, most importantly, we fiddle! 
 
Participants do not need prior musical experience.  You do not need to know how to read music to join this class.  We will teach you everything you need to know to get you fiddling right away!
 
 
 

Location & Dates

Jan. 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th

2:00-3:00pm: Absolute Beginner class
3:00-4:00pm: Combo class
for beginners and more experienced players

Sundays @ Tor Brewing

222 S Commerce St. Wichita, KS 67202

 

Sign Up

Sundays

$159

Regular Rate

4 Week Session:

Sundays January 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th

  • 2:00-3:00pm:
    Absolute Beginner class
  • 3:00-4:00pm:
    Combo class for absolute beginners and experienced players
  • Fiddle/violin, Viola, and Cello all welcome!
  • Class is taught by Drunken Fiddles instructor Brooke Browning
Sign Up!

Absolute Beginner Class

2:00-3:00pm

In this section, we will go over the very basics from the absolute beginning.  We will learn technique, how to get a good sound and some tunes, of course!  The class will be laid-back and fun.  Experienced players are welcome to sit in for the review.

 

Combo Beginner Class 3:00-4:00pm

This class is both for absolute beginners and people who have some experience playing a string instrument. Brooke will teach from the very beginning while using a scaffolding method of teaching to introduce fiddling techniques to both levels of students.  

Meet your Instructor

Brooke Browning is a local music teacher in Wichita, Kansas. She runs Browning String Studio in North Riverside.

Not only does she love teaching privately, but she also works as a clinician in area schools, helping kids level up their playing. She enjoys being a musician at large and performing with many groups including Wichita Grand Opera, the Salina, Hutch and Newton Symphonies, and local Celtic band Knocknasheega. She loves being a part of the local folk music scene and jamming with all the talented people who share her love of music!

When she isn’t making music, you can find Brooke doing DIY projects with her husband and keeping up with her two dogs.

 

"I had no musical background when I first came to Drunken Fiddles. The class is structured so that it's not overwhelming for a beginner, and learning continues to be a fun challenge for me. I love having opportunities for the class to perform in the community, and I am enjoying the journey as my playing improves!"

Katie
Fiddler

"I have grey hair. I was bored coming out of COVID. I have short, fat fingers. I had played the tuba when I was young but never touched a violin and didn’t read treble clef music. Then, I stumbled across a class online… Go for it my wife said. I’m pretty sure she wanted me out of the house. The class has become much more than a relief from boredom, it fills the empty well of my soul and reminds me how life-giving playing music is for me. Young and old - the class is famil. I am playing an instrument I never dreamed I could with a beautiful group of people that I have come to love… and my wife is happy too."

Doug
Fiddler

"There is something magical about Drunken Fiddles classes. Whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced player you are taught how to play tunes in different ways so that you can fit into playing with a group. The classes and the people who attend are very supportive and inclusive. A sort of no fiddler left behind. "

Carol
Fiddler

"I grew up playing violin, then took a hiatus during college and a few years after; Drunken Fiddles has been a great way to get back into playing! Classes are relaxed, but I've learned so much in the ensemble. It's really reawakened my love of music, and I look forward to class every week!"

Jean
Fiddler

"All of my life I’ve wanted to learn to play the violin but never thought I could. Drunken Fiddles has made this dream of mine a reality. The instructor makes each session fun as well as educational. Anyone who even thinks they want to learn to play would do very well to head to their nearest Drunken Fiddle group and have the time of their life."

Melissa
Fiddler

Keep In Touch

Sign up for the email list to receive information on upcoming classes!  Scroll down for FAQ's.

Keep In Touch

Sign up for the email list to receive information on upcoming classes!

FAQ

Can I do both the live class AND the online class? 
Yes, although the online class stands on its own it can also be used to supplement the in-person class.
 
What if I have never played an instrument before?
Then you are in the right place!  Drunken Fiddles will be a perfect fit!
 
How often is Drunken Fiddles held?
We hold regular classes, meeting for 4 week sessions with 1-3 weeks in between sessions.
 
Do you rent violins/fiddles?
You can rent a fiddle/violin/viola/cello from Garten's Music in Wichita! https://www.gartensmusic.com/
 
Do I need to practice?
No. You can come each week even if you didn't have time to practice.  You are never behind in Drunken Fiddles.  Just pick up right where you left off.  That being said, you will get much more out of the workshop if you commit to practicing a little each day.
 
What if I miss a day?
If you miss, you will receive the sheet music and practice videos via email.
 
Is it normal to be nervous about joining?
Absolutely!  Most people are nervous for their first couple of times.  Come anyway! 
  
Are cellos, violas or other instruments included in the online version? 
Yes.  Sascha Groschang teaches cello.  Laurel Parks (the founder of Drunken Fiddles) takes care of fiddle and viola.
 
What if I don't read music?
No worries!  We will teach you how to read a cheat sheet.  Also, some students prefer to read by ear.
 
Does Drunken Fiddles perform?
Yes!  Our classes enjoy regular performances.
 
Why is it called Drunken Fiddles?
The name "Drunken Fiddles" was chosen to portray the laid back nature of the class.  The focus is on learning/playing (not on drinking.)
 
Are refunds available?
It is our policy not to give refunds.  If you have a major life event that prevents you from attending you may defer your enrollment to another class within a 12 month period.

Drunken Fiddles Online School

This course is divided into TWO tracks. When you sign up, you will have access to both levels.
  1. Absolute Beginners--For people who have NEVER played the fiddle before (We start from the absolute beginning and it is assumed you know nothing about playing the violin or fiddle.
  2. Intermediate -- This is for people who know their way around their instrument. Pick your favorite genre (Celtic?  Romany?  Old Time?...) and find a tune you love.  Print out the sheet music with fingerings and watch your in depth lesson video.  Then, practice with the instructors at a slowed down pace until you work up to the performance level video.  If you want more, there is an option for LIVE instruction several times a month!
 
$29/month intro rate

no contract, cancel anytime

 

Sign Up Now! LEARN MORE

Latest Press

Drunken Fiddles in the News!

Order Laurel's Sheet Music

Celebrate the winter season with these concert-ready arrangements influenced by a variety of folk traditions such as Celtic, old-time, bluegrass and Scandinavian fiddle. This collection of time-honored and original melodies is written with a modern string crossover twist to keep both the listener and performer engaged. All tunes are arranged by the Wires String Duo, including their original piece “Campbell Street”.  The audio is a stereo recording of each of the arrangement

Order Music

The Pitch

Read the article in The Pitch about Drunken Fiddles!

Read Article

The Wires Duo

The Wires are a modern exploration in string sound. Created in Kansas City, Missouri,  Laurel Morgan Parks, violin, and Sascha Groschang, cello, have been composing dynamic and cinematic music as best friends since 2009. Their music is inspired by imagery found in the natural world, folk styles and modern string techniques. Following their debut album in 2012, their 2nd album “Wilder” (May 2019) is an imagined journey that includes depths of the oceanic world, the vast expanse of Celtic hills, the coldness of frozen tundra and a discovery of the cosmos. Their holiday album, “Winter” (December 2020) encompasses a cinematic, yet an intimate timbre, with the classic sounds of the season.  “Winter,” their collection of holiday favorites arranged by The Wires along with their original piece, ‘Campbell Street,’ is published by Mel Bay Publications. The Wires are also the hosts and curators of “Sound Currents” on 91.9 Classical KC – a weekly radio program that explores and discovers a broad range of new music. Their online school, “Fiddle Life,” (www.fiddlelife.com), teaches adults traditional styles at beginner and intermediate levels.  The duo performs at festivals, concert halls, and music venues in the Midwest and beyond.

Learn More

Featured on KCUR 89.3

Making music should be fun. But when adults squeak through their first violin lessons, they may not get the compassion a child might receive. Enter Drunken Fiddles.

Listen to the Program

Ireland Retreat, Booking Now!

Join musician Laurel Morgan Parks and the Drunken Fiddlers for an experience of a lifetime!

Learn More!
Close

What’s your favorite tune?

Sign up for the email list and I will send you a recording of ME playing the CHORUS to your favorite tune on the fiddle.