Darlene Schroeder discovered her passion for the fiddle later in life, but it quickly became a central part of her happiness and community. Growing up, she watched her grandfather play the fiddle at barn dances, remembering the laughter and connection music created. After retiring from her job at the Minnesota Department of Human Services about a decade ago, Schroeder decided to finally learn to play herself.
What began as a personal hobby soon grew into something much bigger. She joined local jam sessions and helped form a group called the Sunburg Community Fiddlers, which later evolved into Sunburg Community Music. The goal was simple — to bring people together through music, regardless of age or experience. Today, the group welcomes players from as young as three to as old as 86. They host monthly workshops, offer lessons, hold four concerts a year, and even organize a summer music camp every June with the help of the city of Sunburg.
One of the things that makes this group special is accessibility — instruments are free to use, and lessons don’t cost a dime. At a recent workshop held at Hope Lutheran Church, beginners worked through the basics while experienced musicians filled the room with beautiful harmonies. Schroeder, always smiling and busy, moved from player to player, helping tune instruments and offering encouragement. “We’re not trying to become a great orchestra,” she said. “We’re just happy making music together. That’s what matters most.”
To make sure anyone could join, Schroeder began collecting instruments — fiddles, guitars, mandolins, ukuleles, and basses — often buying them herself. She also secured grants and donations from local supporters to keep everything running. For Schroeder, it’s not just about the music. “It’s my quality of life,” she said. “It makes a difference in people’s lives and families’ lives.”
One of those families is the Paulsons. Nine-year-old Nora Paulson started learning the violin from Schroeder when she was in kindergarten. But Schroeder had one rule — if a child learns, a parent must too. Nora’s mom, Renee, had never played an instrument and was hesitant at first. Eventually, she gave in, learning alongside her daughter. Now she’s picked up the bass and says the experience has been life-changing. “They don’t care if you’re good or bad,” Renee said. “Everyone helps each other, and it’s just so good for the soul.”
Nora says Schroeder has been a huge support, even sitting beside her at church performances to calm her stage fright. “I want to get over my fear,” Nora said. “I want to be really good.”
Schroeder’s son Dempsey, 33, helps run the workshops. A talented string player himself, he enjoys mentoring newcomers and watching them improve. Another longtime member, retired music teacher Maggie Harp, now 78, also plays a big role in teaching. She loves that Sunburg Community Music offers a welcoming space where professionals and beginners can play together without fear of judgment. “There aren’t many places like this,” she said. “It’s something really special.”
As the group continues to grow, people from neighboring towns are joining in. Schroeder believes this shows how deeply people crave connection and positivity. “A lot of people struggle to stay hopeful with everything happening in the world,” she said. “For me, the answer is simple — we just play music.”
