KITTITAS -- The finger-picking sounds of classical music, square dancing tunes and bluegrass was flowing through classroom hallways. Behind the school, children, parents -- even grandparents -- practice on string instruments as they sit in tents and RV campers.

Many had already played for hours at Kittitas Elementary School, brushing up on their musical abilities in workshops sponsored by the Washington Old Time Fiddlers Association. But rather than take a break on this hot summer day, these musicians were doing something they love.

In one classroom, a boy about 8 years old sat on a chair dangling his feet, with his eyes focused on a music sheet and his fingers precisely hitting every note on the fiddle.

The crosscurrent of sounds coming from so many people can be jolting to an outsider. To the untrained ear, the sound seemed unstructured but that was explained by workshop chair Laura Farr.

"You could walk from one hall to another hall and notice the levels (of experience) change just by hearing," said Farr.

For 17 years, the fiddlers association has been organizing the annual event at Kittitas Elementary and inviting musical talent from all over the state. People of all ages are invited to enroll in daily workshops staffed by 15 instructors who teach the fiddle, guitar and mandolin.

The association kicked off this year's event Monday, and it ends today with an all-class performance.

Some of the 372 participants came from as far as Arizona, Alaska, Oregon, Idaho, California, Utah, Wisconsin and Texas. They ranged in age from 4 to 85 and in talent from beginners to experts.

"This brings everyone in the state together for a common interest," said Farr, who has been playing the fiddle since she was 9 years old. She noted that fiddle playing is so popular that Washington has 16 membership districts in the state fiddle association.

Married couple Donna and John Spencer from Port Angeles, Wash., have been playing the guitar since the 1960s and have attended the Kittitas workshops for three years.

This time they came to learn how to play the mandolin.

Sitting on lawn chairs, they paired off on a slow-tempo song, occasionally improvising as they went along.

Donna Spencer, a retiree, said she enjoys coming because there's always something new to learn.

"There's always been quality here and it keeps going up," Spencer said.

Johnny McGee, a 13-year-old fiddler from Spokane, also has attended the workshops for three years.

He started playing because his school required him to participate in arts. Much to his grandparents' surprise, he has stuck to it. Music has turned out to be his strongest subject in school.

"He surprised us," said McGee's grandfather, Jim Shamp. "He likes soccer and wrestling and stuck with it. He's even joining the eighth-grade orchestra."

McGee tugged at his grandmother's shoulder and asked, "What time is it?"

Sally Shamp advised him to hurry on to the next workshop. McGee sprinted across the long field.

One Bainbridge, Wash., family set up a Yurt, a nomadic wooden-like circular tent, to stay in during the weeklong event. Placed outside of the 5-foot wooden door of the tent was a small welcome mat. Marcus Lang is playing the flute and his wife, Dusty Collinings, offers muffins to visitors.

The couple and their daughter, Nora, perform folk music as the band More Luck to Us at festivals, talent shows and other events around the state, including Seattle's Northwest Folklife Festival. Collinings plays the guitar and dulcimer while Marcus Lang is skilled at the Bodhran drum and bandolin. Nora Lang plays the fiddle.

This is their first year at the workshops, and they plan on coming next year.

Since the workshops didn't include any training for Marcus's instruments, he spent most of the week looking after his wife and daughter, making sure they had plenty to eat and a tranquil place to rest.

* Viviana Buzo can be reached at 509-577-7675 or vbuzo@yakimaherald.com.