Boston Scottish Fiddle Orchestra (BSFO) – Boston Scottish Fiddle Club

2024 Winter Concert

About the BSFO

The Boston Scottish Fiddle Orchestra was formed in 2016 and is the performing group of the Boston Scottish Fiddle Club. Under the direction of Neil Pearlman, the orchestra performs a repertoire of traditional and contemporary Scottish and Cape Breton tunes arranged to create a unique fresh sound while also keeping with the tradition. The group includes about 25 musicians of all ages who play fiddle, cello, guitar, mandolin, flute, accordion, whistle, piano and other instruments. The orchestra provides members of all ability levels the opportunity to be a part of a group that strives for a high level of performance to entertain and share traditional Scottish music with the public.

In addition to their own Gala concert, the fiddle orchestra has performed at various festivals and events including the New Hampshire Highland Games, BCMFest (Boston Celtic Music Festival) and NEFFA (New England Folk Festival). The orchestra’s first album, Tunes from the Fox, was released in December 2018. Their second album, For the Joy of It, was released in 2023. Their latest album, The Loring Road Collection was released in June 2026.

General info:

Rehearsals are weekly on Thursday evenings, 7-9PM (see the schedule below)
We currently meet in Belmont, at Plymouth Congregational Church
Neil teaches us tunes and creates fun, unique arrangements
All instruments welcome
All levels welcome
Multiple performances during the year

For information on how to join, please see the details below. If you would like to connect with someone to get more information about the fiddle orchestra and/or ask questions please email bostonscottishfiddle@bsfc.org. If you would like, you can attend a rehearsal to check it our before you join.

Check us out on Spotify:

How to join the orchestra:

If you are not yet a Boston Scottish Fiddle Club member: go here to join the Club and Orchestra together.

If you are already a Boston Scottish Fiddle Club member: Go to the Members Only section of the website, scroll to the bottom of the page and follow the instructions.

Orchestra Dues $150 plus a Boston Scottish Fiddle Club membership for the 2026-27 season.

You are welcome to attend and participate in a rehearsal before you join.

**All are welcome! Contact our Treasurer, Cathryn Stein, at bostonscottishfiddle@gmail.com to arrange a scholarship or discounted membership

**Rehearsal Schedule 2026-27 (2027 dates TBD)**

September 3 – with Neil
September 10
September 17 – with Neil
September 24 – with Neil
October 1 – with Neil
October 8
October 15
October 22
October 29 – with Neil (possible special guest workshop)
November 5
November 12 – with Neil
November 19
November 26
December 3 – with Neil
December 10 – with Neil
December 17 – (Thursday) – Winter concert – Scandinavian Cultural Center, Newton

January 17, 2027 – BCMFest (haven’t applied yet but if we do it we usually play on Saturday afternoon)
April 23-25, 2027 – NEFFA (haven’t applied yet but have performed every year)

**Rehearsal Schedule 2025-26 (for reference)**

Sept. 4 – with Neil

Sept. 6 – (Saturday) 10AM – 5PM with Neil (The barn at the Dean Winthrop House, 34 Shirley St., Winthrop, MA)

Sept. 11 –

Sept. 18 –

Sept. 25 –

Oct. 2 –

Oct. 9 –

Oct. 16 – with Neil

Oct. 23 – (A number of people will be at Boston States Fiddle Camp – could have rehearsal if there is a place to have it)

Oct. 30 – with Neil

Nov. 6 –

Nov. 9 (Sunday) – Canadian American Club Gala

Nov. 13 – with Neil

Nov. 20 –

Nov. 27 –

Dec. 4 – with Neil

Dec. 11 – with Neil

Dec. 18 (7:30pm) – with Neil – Performance at Temple Beth Shalom, 670 Highland Ave, Needham. We will provide the music for their TBS Coffee House event. This will also be our Winter Concert. Invite friends and family. It is open to the public.

Jan 1 – Retreat 4-9pm, Plymouth Congregational Church, Belmont

Jan 17 – (Saturday, 11am performance – arrival time TBA) – with Neil – BCMFest, Dayfest in The Crystal Ballroom, Somerville 45 minute set.

April 25-26 – NEFFA, Marlborough, MA (we have applied to perform)

June 5-6 (Friday – Saturday) – New England Tour

June 7 (Sunday) – 2-6pm Boston Scottish Fiddle Club Gala

Purchase our 2023 CD “For the Joy of It”! $20 (it will be mailed to you):

Purchase our 2018 CD “Tunes From the Fox”! $20 (it will be mailed to you):

The Back Story

It’s 2016, on a cool April evening in Lexington, MA 15-20 fiddlers, guitarists, mandolinists and one flute player are gathered into a large living room tuning up. The Boston Scottish Fiddle Orchestra is getting ready to rehearse. Led by pianist Neil Pearlman (“a tremendous pianist” –BBC Radio Scotland), the BSFO is a new performance group associated with the Boston Scottish Fiddle Club. Founded more than 30 years ago the Boston Scottish Fiddle Club has long been an important part of the Boston Celtic music scene, sponsoring workshops, sessions and concerts in order to spread the appreciation of Scottish and Cape Breton fiddle music. From 1981 to 1999, fiddler Ed Pearlman (Neil’s father) directed the club, coordinating and planning events and leading a performance group made up of BSFC members in an annual concert series called the Boston Scottish Fiddle Rally, which featured major international fiddling soloists such as Natalie MacMaster, Alasdair Fraser and Ali Bain. In the 2000’s the performance side of the club became less active, until the Orchestra was launched this year. Bringing in Ed’s son Neil to direct the group, the Club has renewed its commitment to bring great Scottish music to the Boston community.

Performance Archives

2019 Winter Concert: John and Maurizio’s Wedding March (by Katie McNally), Dr. McInnes’ Fancy
For more videos of the concert GO HERE.

For more videos, check out our YouTube channel HERE.