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We are very proud to announce our 10th Manning Music Fiddle-A-Thon Fundraiser!
For a list of past fundraisers and winners click here.

2026 Fiddle-a-thon dates: March 1st - March 31st

Over the last year, we have watched in horror the assault on our constitutional rights, and on our fundamental values of freedom, equality, community, and humanity. Beneficial services from our Federal government have been decimated, and important institutions that make our country stronger are being challenged and dismantled.

This spring, we're combining what we do best - making music - with something that matters deeply: protecting our democracy.

We're raising funds for the Movement Voter Project (MVP). MVP is a one-stop shop for investing in year-round organizing and movement building to shift culture, win elections, and transform policy.

Prizes will be given for:

1. Most Minutes Practiced
----- 4 categories: Adult category, 5th grade and under, 6th grade and over, ALL grades - over 2000 minutes (that's just 65 minutes a day!)

2. Most Sponsors Collected
----- 3 categories: pre-1st grade, 2nd-5th grade, 6th grade and over

3. Most "Boil The Cabbage Downs" played or listened to in one month
----- For students 1st grade and under.

4. Students who practice at least 20 minutes for ALL the days of the month.
----- Your lesson, at home practice on other musical instruments, jams, gigs (active playing) all COUNT TOWARDS MINUTES! School and extra-curricular orchestra and band do NOT count.

BOTH ADULTS and CHILDREN who play ANY INSTRUMENT are allowed to participate.
If you don't collect sponsors you can still keep track of your practice minutes to participate.
 

IMPORTANT DATES:

Now until April 1st, 2026: Students ask friends and family to make pledges.

March 1st, 2026: Fiddle-a-thon/Pick-a-thon practice begins.
----- Students MAY CONTINUE to collect pledges even after they have started practice.

March 31st, 2026: Fiddle-a-thon/Pick-a-thon ENDS.

April 1st - April 15th, 2026: All students collect pledges from their sponsors.

Each individual student please donate directly to the organization:
Donation Link for MVP

April 26th, 2026: Fundraiser Complete. We are hoping to announce the winners at our concert on April 26th however pledges can be collected throughout the month of April.



FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

1. How to make donations:
All individual students should collect the total amount of their pledges and make the donation themselves and then send us a total for how much they donated. I will also send an email out to everyone asking for totals.

Checks can be made to the parent of the student (NOT TO MANNING MUSIC) or each individual family can collect cash. THE FINAL STEP will be that each family donates directly to the Movement Voter Project.

2. How do I print more pledge and practice sheets?
Right here:
Download Fiddle Pledge Form
Download Mando/Guitar Pledge Form

Download Fiddle Practice Log Form
Download Mando/Banjo/Guitar Practice Log Form

3. Can I make a donation without making a pledge?
Absolutely! You can donate right here, right now! No amount is too small! DONATE NOW TO Movement Voter Project!

4. A few rules about "MINUTES" to keep in mind:

ACTIVITIES THAT COUNT TOWARD YOUR MINUTES:
Lessons, Bluegrass Band Class, Jams, Gigs (active playing, practicing at home on other instruments besides your Manning Music instrument, practicing your school orchestra or band music.)

For the Most Boil The Cabbage Downs - OPEN strings played along with another musician or recording DOES COUNT!

ACTIVITIES THAT DO NOT COUNT TOWARD YOUR MINUTES: - At school orchestra or band classes do NOT count.