Last night was a very lucky Friday the 13th for more than 200 friends, family and fans that gathered at The Tech theatre to celebrate a special milestone. Local fiddle virtuoso triplets – Louis, Pierre and Daniel Schryer – hosted a family concert to commemorate their 50th birthday, an event cleverly dubbed ‘Schryer 150’. It marked the first time in 25 years that the triplets have performed together in Sault Ste. Marie.
“Fifty years ago today, the Schryer Triplets were born,” sister Julie Schryer said during her opening address. “They are beautiful, they were beautiful, they’ve always been beautiful, and they’re beautiful still. We’re so delighted that they could come together with us and perform and have a big kitchen party here tonight.”
Throughout their long and talented musical careers, the Schryer Triplets were featured numerous times on the classic Canadian television program, The Tommy Hunter Show. Collectively, they have amassed nine Canadian Open fiddle championships and five Canadian Grand Master championships in addition to countless regional and national fiddle awards. Although now retired from fiddle competition, the three continue to perform, record, teach and judge competitions.
Joining the Schryer Triplets on stage Friday night was an array of siblings, children, cousins, nieces and nephews, and friends who guest-performed and step danced their way through the celtic and French Canadian showcase of original and traditional music.
“We’re so happy to be doing this. It’s a gift to you, but it’s a gift to us because it’s been a while since we actually celebrated together,” Pierre Schryer told SooToday before last night’s concert. “The fact that we’re playing together, it’s one of the key things that kept us glued together as the Schryer Triplets. It’s a big part of our life.”
“The fact that our kids are involved, it expanded the whole experience. We’re really pleased to be presenting the next generation as well.”