Donald Besner

From Glengarryceltic

Donald was born Dec 14, 1941 on the 14th Concession W. in Kenyon Township, just two miles south of his present home.

He was born into a musical family where his grandfather, father and three of his aunts played the fiddle. His mother’s cousin from Montreal gave him a 3/4 size fiddle but he was too stubborn to learn then. Instead Donald learnt to play the mouth organ that his oldest brother had given him. He was six or seven years old. Then, at ten, he received a concertina for Christmas and learned to play it. At sixteen, he got himself a guitar and learned to play that. Only at the age of twenty-five did a friend of his borrow his small 3/4 fiddle because he wanted to learn. The friend returned it six months later and only then did Donald start to learn–simple stuff like Frère Jacques, etc.

He purchased his home farm in 1969. When winter came along and he had more time on his hands, Donald would practice tunes from his record collection over and over again until he had learned them, as well as tunes he knew by memory from his dad’s playing days. When he figured that he knew enough tunes, Donald went to see Freddy Leroux and played for him. He accompanied him on his guitar and that is when Fred invited Donald to join the Glengarry Old Time Fiddlers. They would practice at Ron Clare’s house.

Donald has also had the opportunity to play with Cliff Britton and Ray Couture. Another great inspiration of his has been Johnny Mooring. He played for him a long time ago, and Johnny told Donald that he should never give it up as he was only going to improve, and that he had a great bowing arm. Donald says he will never forget that.

Some places Donald has played include: A Conservative Convention at Lansdowne where he got to play with Graham Townsend, the National Arts Centre (twice), and the Centre Point Theatre with the GOTF–and again with the GOTF at the Glengarry Highland Games and numerous Senior Citizen’s homes. Donald has also played at some bars and family gatherings, political functions, etc. And last, but not least, at weddings in churches and two funerals.

Although he never took lessons and cannot read music, he can truly say that he loves playing, and God willing, will play for a long time yet.