Thanks to special funding through Lincoln Arts Festival, fiddler Alasdair Fraser and cellist Natalie Haas performed in a 45-minute program at Boothbay Region Elementary School on May 30.

Fraser told the students, "It is a privilege to come here and do what we love to do."

Fraser also loves teaching. He has three fiddle camps, two in California (where he met Haas as a student) and one in the British Isles.

All students from pre-K to grade 8 listened to some Celtic tunes such as "Caliope House," "MacArthur Road" and "Frankie's Reel."

Haas not only boasted her cello was better (not just bigger than Fraser's fiddle), she demonstrated how it could sound like a drum (demo kit) by chopping at the strings with her bow, how its lowest note was far lower than anything Fraser's could reach."

"The cello is making a comeback," Haas said. "You can make texture and grooves with a cello."

A brief question and answer segment followed the music. Students asked Fraser how he could play so fast. His reply: "A lot of practice. You start out slow and you get faster."

One student asked if they did requests — and went on to ask for the "Star Wars" theme.

At one point, Haas asked if audience members who played an instrument would raise their hands, and the number of hands that flew up in the air was impressive. The cellist's "wow" reflected not only surprise, but approval!

The students seemed to enjoy the music. Fraser asked them to snap their fingers, which led to clapping, which led to foot stomping. Three boys chose to rhythmically drum on the floor, while others sat, enchanted by the music and the musicians themselves.

The musicians performed brilliantly at the school and that evening they took the stage at the Opera House.