This manual is a resource for teachers seeking specific information about bluegrass music to present to a class and for bands/musicians interested in developing school programs. Included in this publication you will find specific program information about bluegrass music and a suggested presentation outline, along with funding development ideas and a list of written, DVD and internet program resources.
A comprehensive in-school presentation of bluegrass music includes both music and discussion about the origins of the music, the instruments and the singing. This program will most likely be an introduction to bluegrass music for most of the students (and teachers), and a well-organized presentation with supplemental written materials can be considered a musical history lesson. A sample program outline follows:
Play a traditional bluegrass song after being introduced.
Talk about the roots of the music and influences by music from other countries (include discussion of the ballads and dance music from the British Isles that influenced string band music of Appalachia, the banjo from Africa, the singing family bands of this country, gospel music, etc.). Play another traditional tune or sing a song.
Introduce Bill Monroe, who included string band, country, gospel and blues stylings in the development of bluegrass music. Mention that he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame--in addition to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Bluegrass Hall of Honor, and perform a Bill Monroe song.
Introduce each instrument by discussing how it is made, tuned and played in the bluegrass band context. Discuss rhythm and lead playing and play a tune.
Discuss and demonstrate harmony singing and sing a song.
Involve the students in performance of a song--hand clapping, singing on chorus, call/response, etc.
Answer questions. Provide teachers with written information about bluegrass bands, clubs and organizations based in the local area; festivals in close proximity; bluegrass publications; bluegrass radio programming; the Foundation for Bluegrass Music; etc.
A sample overview of the history of bluegrass music follows. It should be brief but comprehensive, as it may also be the introduction of the music to the teachers. The overview may be used by teachers as a study guide before or after an in-school presentation, or they may include this information in a history or social studies discussion if a program presentation is not possible.
The various types of music brought with the people who began migrating to America in the early 1600s are considered to be the roots of bluegrass music---including dance music and ballads from Ireland, Scotland and England, as well as African American gospel music and blues. (In fact, slaves from Africa brought the design idea for the banjo--an instrument now integral to the bluegrass sound.) As the early Jamestown settlers began to spread out into the Carolinas, Tennessee, Kentucky and the Virginias, they composed new songs about day-to-day life experiences in the new land. Since most of these people lived in rural areas, the songs reflected life on the farm or in the hills and this type of music was called "mountain music" or "country music." The invention of the phonograph and the onset of the radio in the early 1900s brought this old-time music out of the rural Southern mountains to people all over the United States.
Good singing became a more important part of country music. Singing stars like Jimmie Rodgers, family bands like the Carter family from Virginia and duet teams like the Monroe Brothers from Kentucky contributed greatly to the advancement of traditional country music.
The Monroe Brothers were one of the most popular duet teams of the 1920s and into the 1930s. Charlie played the guitar, Bill played the mandolin and they sang duets in harmony. When the brothers split up as a team in 1938, both went on to form their own bands. Since Bill was a native of Kentucky, the Bluegrass State, he decided to call his band "Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys," and this band sound birthed a new form of country music.
"Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys" first appeared on the Grand Ole Opry in 1939 and soon became one of the most popular touring bands out of Nashville's WSM studios. Bill's new band was different from other traditional country music bands of the time because of its hard driving and powerful sound, utilizing traditional acoustic instruments and featuring highly distinctive vocal harmonies. This music incorporated songs and rhythms from string band, gospel (black and white), work songs and "shouts" of black laborers, country and blues music repertoires. Vocal selections included duet, trio and quartet harmony singing in addition to Bill's powerful "high lonesome" solo lead singing. After experimenting with various instrumental combinations, Bill settled on mandolin, banjo, fiddle, guitar and bass as the format for his band. The guitar originally came from Spain. The mandolin, as well as the fiddle and acoustic bass (both from the violin family), originally came from Italy.
While many fans of bluegrass music date the genre back to 1939, when Monroe formed his first Blue Grass Boys band, most believe that the classic bluegrass sound jelled in 1945, shortly after Earl Scruggs, a 21 year old banjo player from North Carolina, joined the band. Scruggs played an innovative three-finger picking style on the banjo that energized enthusiastic audiences, and has since come to be called simply, "Scruggs style" banjo. Equally influential in the classic 1945 line-up of the Blue Grass Boys were Lester Flatt, from Sparta, Tenn. on guitar and lead vocals against Monroe's tenor; Chubby Wise, from Florida, on fiddle; and Howard Watts, also known by his comedian name, "Cedric Rainwater," on acoustic bass.
When first Earl Scruggs, and then Lester Flatt left Monroe's band and eventually formed their own group, The Foggy Mountain Boys, they decided to include the resophonic guitar, or Dobro into their band format. The Dobro is often included in bluegrass band formats today as a result. Burkett H. "Uncle Josh" Graves, from Tellico Plains, Tenn., heard Scruggs' three-finger style of picking in 1949 and adapted it to the then, almost obscure slide bar instrument. With Flatt & Scruggs from 1955-1969, Graves introduced his widely emulated, driving, bluesy style on the Dobro. The Dobro was invented in the United States by the Dopyera Brothers, immigrant musicians/inventors originally from the Slovak Republic. The brand name, "Dobro," comes from DOpyera BROthers.
From 1948-1969, Flatt & Scruggs were a major force in introducing bluegrass music to America through national television, at major universities and coliseums, and at schoolhouse appearances in numerous towns. Scruggs wrote and recorded one of bluegrass music's most famous instrumentals, "Foggy Mountain Breakdown," which was used in the soundtrack for the film, Bonnie & Clyde. In 1969 he established an innovative solo career with his three sons as "The Earl Scruggs Revue." Scruggs still records and performs selected dates in groups that usually include his sons, Randy on guitar and Gary on bass.
After parting with Scruggs in 1969, Lester Flatt continued successfully with his own group, "The Nashville Grass," performing steadily until shortly before his death in 1979.
By the 1950s, people began referring to this style of music as "bluegrass music." Bluegrass bands began forming all over the country and Bill Monroe became the acknowledged "Father of Bluegrass Music.
In the 1960s, the concept of the "bluegrass festival" was first introuced, featuring bands that had seemed to be in competition with each other for a relatively limited audience on the same bill at weekend festivals across the country. Carlton Haney, from Reidsville, N.C., is credited with envisioning and producing the first weekend-long bluegrass music festival, held at Fincastle, Va. in 1965.
The increased availability of traditional music recordings, nationwide indoor and outdoor bluegrass festivals and movie, television and commercial soundtracks featuring bluegrass music have aided in bringing this music out of modern day obscurity. Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs & the Foggy Mountain Boys achieved national prominence with tour sponsorship by Martha White Flour and for playing the soundtrack for the previously mentioned film, Bonnie and Clyde, as well as on a television show called The Beverly Hillbillies. The Deliverance movie soundtrack also featured bluegrass music-in particular, "Dueling Banjos," performed by Eric Weissberg on banjo and Steve Mandel on guitar. In 2001, the triple platinum selling soundtrack for the Coen Brothers movie, O Brother, Where Art Thou? attracted wider audiences for bluegrass and traditional country music.
Bill Monroe passed away on September 9, 1996, four days before his 85th birthday. In May 1997, Bill Monroe was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame because of the profound influence of his music on the popular music of this country. He is also a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor.
Bluegrass music is now performed and enjoyed around the world. The IBMA alone claims members in all 50 states and 30 countries. In addition to the to the classic style born in 1945 that is still performed widely, bluegrass bands today reflect influences from a variety of sources including traditional and fusion jazz, contemporary country music, Celtic music, rock & roll ("newgrass" or progressive bluegrass), old--time music and Southern gospel music--in addition to lyrics translated to various languages.
There are several avenues that can lead to funding for in school programs. Federal monies are most often channeled through state programs, and state funding is often accessible through state and local arts councils and organizations. Local private funding sources include clubs, organizations and businesses that make contributions to various causes and sponsor programs that benefit the community. The schools themselves sometimes have program monies in the budget or through PTA or PTO organizations. All of these sources for financial support should be investigated once your program is formulated.
Funding at Home
Educators and performers often forget the value of an involved community and overlook the local area when seeking funding for an educational program. The school system itself may prove to be a good funding source. Music departments are sometimes allocated a separate budget, and music teachers are usually looking for new ways to present different forms of music to their students. When billed as "American Roots Music," an educational program on bluegrass is sometimes easier to sell. If approached early in the school year (or in the spring for the following school year), teachers may be willing to earmark funds for a bluegrass program scheduled for the following term. School administrators may also have funds for outside programs, and it is always helpful if they are approached about a bluegrass program by a teacher who is familiar with the music. The principal may be interested in presenting your program or may direct you to the teacher or PTA representative who schedules programs. If you experience difficulty in reaching the school principal or music teacher (their schedules are usually very full), ask the school office administrator for a contact person in the PTA. Oftentimes the PTA schedules these outside programs and pays all or part of the fee from their own monies.
In some areas, many parent/teacher organizations work together to find good in school programs and some even join together in larger "umbrella" organizations to sponsor showcases for artists who work in the schools. They also appreciate any opportunity to work together by booking an artist (or band) for several programs in the same geographical area over a one or two-day time period for a slightly reduced per program fee. This joint effort is called "block booking," and all schools involved as well as the artist benefit from the plan. Ask a local PTA representative about any showcase events in your area and about block booking possibilities. If you find a school interested in your program but lacking the necessary funding, encourage their representative to contact other schools in the area to create a block booking opportunity. Offer a reduced fee to the two or three schools in close proximity (so your travel distance between schools is minimal) and ask them to work out the scheduling for two or three programs in the same day. Smaller schools with tighter budgets may opt to reduce their cost by busing students from one school to another for one presentation to the combined student bodies. Larger schools may feel that the student body is too large for one program and that two programs would be too costly. In this case, offering a reduced fee for the second program in the same school might encourage the school to schedule the programs. It is up to you to determine the maximum number of students that should attend each program presentation.
Local civic and community organizations often fund events that benefit the community, and school programs that include educational value can attract this support. Clubs to contact include Kiwanis, Optimist, Ruritan, Lions, Civitan and many others listed on the sign of active clubs that is usually found on the outskirts of every community. Phone any organization to determine if they work with schools or are interested in doing so. If they express an interest in this prospect, request permission to make a brief presentation of your program overview at their next meeting.
Local businesses are other possible funding sources, and the school administrators and teachers you have contacted may have information about business support they have received in the past or businesses that seem "school friendly." Some of these businesses may have already reached the limit of what they can afford to give for the year, but many may be very open to finding a new way to offer their support to the schools. Local music stores that sell instruments and offer music lessons might be very interested in at least partially subsidizing an in-school musical presentation that could ultimately bring more students into their stores.
The primary advantage of finding local funding for a school program is that it usually does not require the sometimes extensive paperwork and long waiting periods for approval that is often part of the government funding process. The difficulty with private sector funding is determining how to identify and approach possible funding sources.
State and Local Government Funding
Nearly every state has an arts council organization with monies designated for arts activities. National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) money is usually channeled through these state agencies. Larger cities may have their own local arts councils or arts affiliated organizations. There are also many regional arts consortiums with memberships comprised of several state and local arts organizations.
State arts councils usually offer funding to arts presenters through various council programs. Examples are "Artists on Tour" or "Arts in Education" residency programs that offer financial support to non-profit organizations in the state. Schools, churches and most community organizations are non-profit entities and can qualify for this type of funding. In some states, artists must submit examples of their work with completed application forms for review by a panel that selects a pre-determined number of applicants for inclusion on a roster for each of the various arts programs. For example, artists in the fields of dance, music, theater and visual arts can apply for inclusion on many state touring arts program rosters. Artists selected from each field are included in a program booklet that offers a one-page overview of their program with photo, fees, availability and contact person information.
The arts council mails these booklets to arts council and theater presenters throughout the state, and any non-profit presenter organization can contact the state arts council to request a free copy of the booklet. Presenters who contract for engagements by any roster artist can apply to the state arts council for a subsidy of up to 25% of the artist fee through this touring arts program. These programs always have annual dates for submission of grant requests by presenters for the fiscal year, and a finite amount of available program money usually granted on a "first come, first served" basis. There are also deadline dates for artists to apply for inclusion on the roster, and the roster is usually revised annually or bi-annually. Contact your state arts council to request information about these touring or residency programs. Many states do not have the rosters described above and non-profit presenters can apply for funding from the arts council to present any artists who reside in the state. In either case, the possibility of receiving a small grant to cover part of your fee can be quite attractive to schools interested in presenting your program. Providing information about state arts council programs, including grant application forms and deadlines, may entice a school administrator to make the decision to sponsor your in school program.
Regional arts consortiums usually include four or five neighboring state arts councils that have decided to work together to promote the arts in their geographical area. Contact your state arts council for information about any consortium in your region or directly contact any of the consortiums listed in the appendix of this manual. The consortiums offer similar types of arts subsidy programs, touring rosters and showcase opportunities at annual conventions. You may also have county or city arts councils in your area.
The quality of your program materials will be a key factor in creating interest in your program by schools and funding sources. A general program overview that provides information about the presentation and band members and a study guide for teachers who might want to prepare students for your presentation will greatly enhance your possibilities of securing school bookings and support funding.
The P. Buckley Moss Foundation ($1000 grants to support a new or evolving program that integrates arts into educational programming, deadline end of February)
Foundation for Bluegrass Music Matching Mini-Grants
Schools or organizations who are planning an educational bluegrass music presentation for students may apply for the Foundation for Bluegrass Music Bluegrass in the School Matching Mini-Grant, in the amount of matching funds up to $200. Contact nancyc@ibma.org for info, or click here to fill out a Mini-Grant Application form. Foundation for Bluegrass Music Matching Mini-Grants are funded in part by the D'Addario Foundation.
International Bluegrass http://www.ibma.org/Articles/CurrentArticles.aspx
IBMA
2 Music Circle South, Suite 100
Nashville, TN 37203 USA
nancyc@ibma.org
(888) 438-4262, (615) 256-3222
Books
A Good Natured Riot: The Birth of the Grand Ole Opry, by Charles Wolfe (Vanderbilt University Press/ Country Music Foundation Press)
America's Music: The Roots of Country, by Robert K. Oermann (Turner Publishing)
...And There You Have It! (a collection of Banjo Newsletter columns by Murphy Henry (Arrandem Music Company)
Baby, Let Me Follow You Down, by Jim Rooney & Eric von Schmidt (University of Massachusetts Press)
The Big Book of Bluegrass, edited by Marilyn Kochman (Morrow)
The Bill Monroe Reader, edited by Tom Ewing (University of Illinois Press)
Bluegrass, by Bob Artis (Hawthorne Books)
Bluegrass: A History, by Neil V. Rosenberg (University of Illinois Press), new edition 2005, edition available in Japanese
Bluegrass: An Informal Guide, by Richard D. Smith (a cappella books)
Bluegrass Breakdown: The Making of the Old Southern Sound, by Robert Cantwell University of Illinois Press)
The Bluegrass Music Cookbook, by Penny Parsons (John F. Blair Publisher)
Bluegrass Odyssey, by Carl Fleischhauer & Neil V. Rosenberg (University of Illinois Press)
The Bluegrass Reader, edited by Thomas Goldsmith (University of Illinois Press)
The Bluegrass Songbook, by Pete Wernick (Music Sales, http://www.drbanjo.com)
Bossmen: Bill Monroe and Muddy Waters, by Jim Rooney (Da Capo Press)
Can't You Hear Me Callin'-The Life of Bill Monroe, Father of Bluegrass, by Richard D. Smith (Little, Brown and Company)
Country Music USA: A Fifty Year History, by Bill C. Malone (University of Texas Press)
Classic Country, by Charles Wolfe (Rutledge Hill Press)
Come Hither to Go Yonder, by Bob Black (University of Illinois Press)
The Devil's Box: Masters of Southern Fiddling, by Charles Wolfe (Vanderbilt University Press/ Country Music Foundation Press)
Finding Her Voice: The Saga of Women in Country Music, by Mary A. Bufwack and Robert K. Oermann (Crown Publishers)
From the Beginning to the '90s: Country, The Music and the Musicians, (Country Music Foundation)
From Every Stage: Images of America's Roots Music, by Stephanie P. Ledgin (University Press of Mississippi)
Gather at the River--A Bluegrass Celebration, directed by Robert Mugge, filmed at Bluegrass Fan Fest in Owensboro, Ky. (1994)
Grass Roots: An Illustrated History of Bluegrass and Mountain Music, by Fred Hill (Academy Books)
Homegrown Music: Discovering Bluegrass, by Stephanie P. Ledgin (Praeger Publishers)
How to Make a Band Work, by Pete Wernick (http:www.drbanjo.com)
How to Make Money Performing in the Public Schools, by David Heflick (Silcox Publications, P.O. Box 1407, Orient, WA 99160)
Kentucky Country, by Charles K. Wolfe (University Press of Kentucky)
Living with Memories, by Janette Carter (about the Carter Family), (Center for Cultural Resources)
Masters of the Five-String Banjo, by Tony Trischka & Pete Wernick (Oak Publications)
Mountaineer Jamboree, by Ivan M. Tribe (University of Illinois Press)
Music City Reader 2005: Great Writing on Country & Bluegrass Music, edited by Randy Rudder (Music City Books)
Old as the Hills: The Story of Bluegrass, by Steven D. Price (Viking)
Pilgrims: Sinners, Saints & Prophets--A Book of Words & Photographs, by Marty Stuart (Rutledge Hill Press),
Singing Cowboys and Musical Mountaineers: Southern Culture and the Roots of Country Music, (University of Georgia Press)
Sing Your Heart Out, Country Boy-Classic Country Songs and Their Inside Stories by the Writers Who Wrote Them, by Dorothy Horstman (Country Music Foundation)
Southern Music-American Music, (University of Kentucky Press)
The Stonemans: An Appalachian Family and the Music that Shaped Their Lives, by Ivan M. Tribe (University of Illinois Press)
Succeeding in Music, by John Stiernberg (Backbeat Books)
Tennessee Strings, by Charles K. Wolfe (University of Kentucky Press)
Tennessee Traditional Singers, edited by Thomas G. Burton University of Tennessee Press)
This Business of Music: A Practical Guide to the Music Industry for Publishers, Record Companies, Producers, Artists & Agents, by Sidney Shemel & M. William Krasilovsky (Billboard)
Traveling the High Way Home: Ralph Stanley and the World of Traditional Bluegrass Music, by John Wright (University of Illinois Press)
True Adventures with the King of Bluegrass, by Tom Piazza (Vanderbilt University Press)
Truth is Stranger Than Publicity-The Autobiography of Alton Delmore, (Country Music Foundation Press)
What I Know About What I Know, by Butch Robins (Author House, www.butchrobins.com)
Will You Miss Me When I'm Gone--The Carter Family & Their Legacy in American Music, by Mark Zwonitzer with Charles Hirshberg (Simon & Schuster)
Bands, Schools & Organizations With Bluegrass Programs or Materials
The annual October issue of Bluegrass Unlimited includes a comprehensive listing of bluegrass bands from around the world. Bands and artists who offer in-school presentations and children's programs are noted. Bands and organizations that have submitted materials on their programs to the Foundation for Bluegrass Music resource library are listed below. If you know of an organization that provides quality educational bluegrass music programs for young people not listed below, please email Nancy Cardwell at nancyc@ibma.org.
The Abbott Hill Ramblers & The Abbott Hill Wanderers
Dexter Middle School Chris Prickitt
107 Cuddy Road
Cambridge, ME 04923
(207) 277-3961
goodnf@tdstelme.net
Bluegrass club with beginner & intermediate level bands, middle & high school students, meet after & before school once a week, play 10 or more shows a year, funded in part by Bluegrass Association of Maine
Astrograss Brooklyn, NY http://www.astrograssmusic.com/
Four-piece bluegrass-based group made up of musicians & educators from the Brooklyn, NY community, repertoire specifically for kids, offers school programs, concerts
Bearfoot http://www.bearfootbluegrass.com/
Belle Mickelson
Box 1362
Cordova, AK 99574
(907) 424-5143 bearfootbluegrass@hotmail.com
Began as high school bluegrass band & summer 4H bluegrass camp, touring band hosts bluegrass camps for children at festivals, in-school presentations
The Biscuit Burners http://www.thebiscuitburners.com/
PO Box 3301
Asheville, NC 28802 mary@thebiscuitburners.net
Booking: John Everhart (615) 383-5775
Touring old-time/bluegrass band, does school programs focused on the history of Appalachia
Bluegrasscollege.org Online bluegrass instruction from well-known bluegrass artists; designed by bluegrass Suzuki author/instructor/workshop leader Brian Wicklund, along with Ian NIcholls, Andy Metcalfe & Peter Earle in the United Kingdom
Bluegrass & Old Time Music Association of North Dakota http://www.northdakotabluegrass.org/
John Andrus
P.O. Box 3131
Minot, ND 58702-3131
(701) 838-1061
Thomas Brown, Whitfield County Schools Southeast Whitfield High School Bluegrass Club
Dalton, GA
(706) 694-2411
countrarywise@yahoo.com
After school bluegrass club, performs locally, publishes regional bluegrass newsletter, hosts local bluegrass festival "Raider Bluegrass Jamboree" to raise funds to support school program
California Bluegrass Association
Kids on Bluegrass Program http://www.cbaontheweb.org/
Education Coordinator: Elena Corey elenacp@earthlink.net Hosts annual camp in June in Grass Valley, Calif. at Father's Day Weekend Bluegrass Festival for 200+ children under 20 with professional musician instructors, Darrell Johnston Instrument Lending Library
Daniel & Amy Carwile http://www.carwilestringstudio.com
Offer private music instruction on fiddle, guitar and mandolin in Lexington, Ky; also teach at fiddle camps and offer workshops as touring artists
The Chapmans http://www.thechapmansonline.com/
1510 W. Daniels Street
Ozark, MO 65721
(417) 581-4582
info@thechapmansonline.com Touring bluegrass band, does school programs, appears in Foundation for Bluegrass Music Discover Bluegrass educational DVD
Colorado Bluegrass Music Society
Bluegrass Education Outreach Program http://www.coloradobluegrass.org/beoc.htm beoc@coloradobluegrass.org
Organizes & supports educational bluegrass presentations at local schools, lending library of instructional DVDs & books, free first lesson on bluegrass instrument at local music store & discount follow-up lessons. CBMS also sponsors a bluegrass program for students at the Paradox Valley School, led by Ruth Phippeny and begun in 2003. At an after-school program on Tuesdays and Thursdays, any student in grade 3-8 is given the opportunity to learn to play traditional bluegrass instruments.
Peggy Dean 970 Middle Creek Road
Hamlin, WV 25523
(304) 824-5330 rpdean@zoominternet.net
Sponsors high school bluegrass club
The Faris Family 10816 Arabian Street
Ozawkie, KS 66070
Info: http://www.farisband.com, barisband@yahoo.com, (785) 876-2374
Touring family band committed to sharing bluegrass music with youth, goal is to make this as affordable as possible for public schools, organizations & festival promoters to introduce bluegrass music to youth from youth
Bill Farmer, Bach Elementary School P.O. Box 535
Manchester, MI wfarmer@edcen.ehhs.cmich.edu
Utilizes bluegrass in elmentary school library and P.E. programs
Festival of the Bluegrass http://www.festivalofthebluegrass.com/
Bob & Jean Cornett
P.O. Box 644
Georgetown, KY 40324
(859) 846-4995 jeanCC@kyfestival.com, onechildatatime@hotmail.com
Hosts teacher workshop, children's activities at festival, bluegrass camp the week before the festival, Bob Cornett has a strong interest in national educational reform, and he has written books on the subjects of bluegrass music and chestnut tree planting projects as ways to connect students with the real world and older generations.
Mike & Amy Finders http://www.mikeandamyfinders.com
1928 H. Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 248-1328, (319) 321-4467 m.finders@mchsi.com
Duo on Iowa Arts Council's Roster of Teaching Artists, offers school programs on various topics including "Little House on the Prairie," "Sing & Play Bluegrass Music," "Careers in the Music Business," "Songwriting from Your Life" and more.
Foxfire Bluegrass Band http://www.foxfirebluegrass.com/
Blumfield, NM
Young touring bluegrass band, presents bluegrass programs in schools
Gold Heart Bluegrass Band http://www.goldheartbluegrass.com, Kim Gold (703) 774-5183
Young touring bluegrass band, offers school programs
Steve Good & Bill Jenson Camosun College, English Dept.
Interurban Campus
4461 Interurban Road
Victoria, BC
Canada V9E-2C1
(250) 370-4421, Steve
snarlingdog@shaw.ca
Offers program for local high school seniors to improve grammar & composition skills using bluegrass instrumentation as a metaphor
The Grass Seeds Music Academy
Directed by Brian Wicklund & the members of Tangled Roots
Sponsored by the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association, held end of Feb./beginning of March during the Wintern Bleugrass Weekend at the Radisson Hotel & Conference CEnter in Plymouth, Minn., for musicians age 8-18.
Info: grassseeds@minnesotabluegrass.org
(800) 635-3037
www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival
Bluegrass Academy for Kids http://www.gettysburgbluegrass.com/
Gettysburgh, PA
Music Director: Ira Gitlin iragitlin3@aol.com
Offers bluegrass camp for children K-12 in conjunction with annual festival in August, leads up to performance on main stage)
registration ifo: gkoserowski@comcast.net
Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival
Bluegrass Academy for Kids http://www.greyfoxbluegrass.com/gf_bgacademy.cfm
Green County, between Oak Hill & Durham, NY
Directors: Mary Burdette, Brian Wicklund burdette@adelphia.net
Offers bluegrass camp for children in conjunction with annual festival in July, leads up to perfromance on main stage, funds annual college scholarship for students with a focus on bluegrass music
Hazard Community & Technical College
Bluegrass & Traditional Music Program http://www.kctcs.net/
Dean Osborne: (800) 246-7521, ext. 73630
(606) 487-3630
Hyden, Ky.
HCTC's Bluegrass & Traditional Music program is located in Hyden in a newly renovated historic building that is part of the Leslie County Center. Included: practice rooms, recording studios & 300-seat performance venue. Students completing program will graduate with an associate degree.
Ryan Holladay Band http://www.ryanholladay.com/
Holladay, TN
Booking: Penni McDaniel, Hope River Entertainment (678) 377-3298, penni@hoperiverentertainment.com
Touring band, does educational programs for schools, hosts annual festival, records for Skaggs Family Records. Ryan is co-host of IBMA's Discover Bluegrass educational DVD.
Sierra Hull & Hwy 111 http://www.sierrahull.com
Byrdstown, Tenn.
Booking: Keith Case & Associates, (615) 327-4646 Touring teen bluegrass band, does educational programs for schools, hosts annual festival, records for Rounder Records. Sierra is co-host of Foundation for Bluegrass Music's Discover Bluegrass educational DVD)
International Bluegrass Music Museum http://www.bluegrass-museum.org/
Gabrielle Gray
IBMM
207 East Second Street
Owensboro, KY
(800) MY-BANJO gabriellegray@bluegrass-museum.org
Hosts extensive Bluegrass in the Schools program with local city and county schools including group instrument classes, assemblies with touring bluegrass bands and a traveling musical on the history of bluegrass music; bluegrass instrument group lessons on Saturday mornings at Bluegrass Museum for children & families; school tours through museum; lending library of bluegrass instruments
Jr. Appalachian Musician (JAM) Program North Carolina-based program that introduces children to the traditional music of their heritage through music instruction, exposure to local master artists & music events
Info: http://www.juniorappalachianmusians.org
Just N Time Bluegrass Band http://www.justntimebluegrass.com/
Buddy Tharp
14109 North 3rd Avenue
El Mirage, AZ 85335
(623) 385-0228 tharpmusic@earthlink.net
Hosts "Futuregrass" monthly workshops for young people, band does school programs--presentations, artist in residence
Redmond Keisler
Arkansas Bluegrass Association http://www.arkansasbluegrass.com/bluegrassintheschools.htm
Coordinates state-wide Arkansas Bluegrass in the Schools program utilizing live educational programs and performances from regional bands, bandleader of The Keisler Brothers bluegrass band
Kentucky Center for Traditional Music Morehead State University http://www.morehead-st.edu/kctm/
Don Rigsby, Director
133 E. First Street
Morehead, KY 40351
(606) 783-9001 d.rigsby@morehead-st.edu
Offers bluegrass programs for schools in area, hosts concerts & workshops, offers loan of traveling interactive exhibits on bluegrass & old-time music to schools in Kentucky for price of shipping
Buddy Merriam & Back Roads PO Box 862
Sound Beach, NY 11789
Info: http://www.BackRoadsBluegrass.com, bmerriam@optonline.net, (631) 744-2911
Touring bluegrass band, offers in-school program on bluegrass music, instument workshop/lessons for smaller groups, etc. in NY/Metro area (Connecticut, NY, NJ), gives mandolin & banjo lessons
Mount Pleasant Area High School Pam Mulhollem (faculty sponsor),
Bluegrass Music Club for students 7-12th grade
Mt. Pleasant, Penn.
mainlinebluegrass@hotmail.com
Mountain State University Beckley, WV. 3 credit hour course, "Introduction to Bluegrass Music" credit hour course in learning to play a bluegrass instrument & singing bluegrass songs Contact: Everett Alan Lilly, evrlilly@suddenlink.net
The Mueller Family Waterville, ME
Info: www.muellerfamilymusic.com, karen@muellerfamilymusic.com
Touring family bluegrass band offers educational live bluegrass presentations for schools, home schooling conferences
Mike Murphy docm@snwcc.edu, (256) 331-6246
Science teacher at Northwest-Shoals Community College in Phil Campbell, Ala.; faculty advisor for the NWSCC Bluegrass Club--meets at lunch time to jam & presents 40 min. bluegrass programs at local elementary schools on Fridays
Nashville Bluegrass Band Project, Nashville Institute for the Arts, Carol Ponder
1515 Woodland Street
Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 227-3876
North Florida Bluegrass Association http://www.nfbluegrass.org
Hosts annual NFBA Music in the Schools Program concert in September at the Dixieland Music Park in Waldo, Fla., featuring bands with young musicians; students, faculty & family from schools in six surrounding counties invited to free concert
Northern Indiana Bluegrass Association http://www.bluegrassusa.net/
Jim & Linda Winger
5034 Wapiti Court
Ft. Wayne, IN 46804-4946
(260) 432-4485 nibga@mixi.net
Year-round association sponsored bluegrass school programs, offers scholarship for young bluegrass musicians going to college to pursue music
Pacific Ocean Bluegrass Southern California
Info: http://www.scottgates.com, manager: mandolinrecords@aol.com
Young bluegrass band, includes mandolinist Scott Gates & fiddler Katie Nakamura, present monthly bluegrass programs at local elementary schools
Page Middle School Franklin, TN
Susan Underwood, faculty sponsor
Info: susanu@wcs.edu
After-school bluegrass club
Peach Bottom Farm Fiddle & Strings Camp
http://www.peachbottomfarm.com/fiddleCamp.html
3609 Peach Bottom Road
Independence, VA 24348
Patti: (303) 796-9049
Four-day camp in June, all ages & abilities
Pennsylvania Bluegrass Academy http://www.pabluegrassacademy.com/
Nev Jackson
2 Ironwood Drive, RD 1
Annville, PA 17003
(717) 867-4175
Bluegrass lessons, bluegrass summer camp
Pulaski County High School, Wayne Craft
PCHS Acoustic Alchemy Project 511 E. University Drive
Somerset, KY 42503
wcraft@pulaski.net
High school math teacher/adjunct mathematics professor at Somerset Community College, offers high school "Principles of Lutherie" course in which students build musical instruments common to Appalachia like banjos, fiddles, guitars, dulcimers & mandolins, registration priority to upperclassmen who have taken higher level math courses, in need of additional funding for building materials & tools
Raising Kane, book & study guide Info: http://www.amazon.com/Raising-Kane-Brent-Davis/dp/1931982783
Fiction, main character is teenaged Eddie Kane, who lives on Sand Mountain in Alabama and plays banjo professionally in his uncles' bluegrass band for a period of time.
Kim Samuels
Gallatin Middle School Bluegrass Club & Band Warsaw, Ky.
Kentucky high school band teacher, sponsors school bluegrass club which also performs and conducts area bluegrass camps (Festival of the Bluegrass in Lexington, Ky.)
San Diego Bluegrass Society www.socalbluegrass.org
Hank HIskes: hankhiskes@hotmail.com
Sponsors Emma's Gut Bucket Band, which does bluegrass presentations at local elementary, junior high and high schools, in addition to homeless centers, a center for the blind, community & senior centers, assisted living facilities and similar venues
Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike http://www.valeriesmithonline.com/
PO Box 298
Bell Buckle, TN 37020
(931) 389-9695
booking: J. Gregory Heinike bellbuckle@cafees.net
Touring bluegrass band, does school programs, Valerie is former Missouri elementary music teacher
Southern Skye (606) 337-8303 jinxy1208@msn.com
Teen traditional/contemporary bluegrass band based in southeastern Kentucky that does presentations at schools
The Special Consensus http://www.specialc.com/
Greg Cahill
9701 South 51st Avenue
Oak Lawn, IL 60453
(708) 422-4335 gcahillspc@aol.com Touring bluegrass band, "Traditional American Music" school program, appears in Foundation for Bluegrass Music Discover Bluegrass educational DVD
Stanton Elementary Schools Wise Village Project
Sarah Wasson
P.O. Box 367
Stanton, KY 40380-0367
(606) 663-3311
Bluegrass elementary school music program, bluegrass clubs/bands, instrument lending program through school library, summer bluegrass camp
Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic http://www.salinefiddlers.com/
Will & Nancy Warner
PO Box 315
Saline, MI 48176
866-257-5333
Fiddle lessons for Saline High School students, hosts community workshops & play concerts
Shoreline Community College http://shorline.edu/
Seattle, WA
Paul Elliott: dtmboys@hotmail.com
Tom Moran: tmoran@shoreline.edu
(206) 546-4774
Online two-credit "History of Bluegrass" class, textbooks include Neil Rosenberg's Bluegrass--A History, Sony Records' Can't You Hear Me Callin'' Bluegrass: 80 Years of American Music boxed set and Rounder's Handpicked: 25 Years of Bluegrass
Southern Wisconsin Bluegrass Music Assoc., Inc. http://www.madison.com/communities/swbmai/
Sims Delaney-Potthoff
P.O. Box 14033
Madison, WI 53714-0033
(608) 221-3966 sims@wail.com
Two-week bluegrass units at southern Wisconsin secondary schools, in conjunction with orchestra/band programs, student band
St. Wendelen High School Banjo Club
Fostoria, Ohio
Joe Steiner
314 Frazer Street
Findlay, OH 45840
(419) 422-0212
banjo_one@yahoo.com
Banjo/bluegrass clubs at area high schools, co-hosts Northern Indiana Bluegrass Association teacher workshops with Chris Cooperrider
Summergrass http://www.summergrass.net/id17.html
San Diego, CA
Bluegrass camp for children age 6-16, in conjunction with annual festival, profesional musician instructors, culminates in main stage performance
Teengrass http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/TeenGrass/
Yahoo Group for pre-teen, teen and young adult bluegrass musicians, moderated by Garian Vigil garian@gmail.com
Bob Turbanic, Wheeling Park Bluegrass Club Wheeling Park High School
13 Rockledge Road
Wheeling, WV 26003
(304) 242-5772 turbowv@mac.com High school bluegrass club/band, advises new bluegrass club sponsors, recipient of IBMA's Distinguished Achievement Award for his work with Bluegrass in the Schools
Joe Val Bluegrass Festival Boston Bluegrass Union Joe Val Kids' Academy http://www.bbu.org/education
Framingham, MA
Music director: Ira Gitlin iragitlin3@aol.com
info: education@bbu.org (617) 738-8198
Offers annual bluegrass workshop for children on fiddle, banjo & guitar in conjunction with Feb. festival, teacher workshop
Bob Welch, "Songs of the Civil War" http://www.bobwelch1863.com, BobW1863@aol.com
Civil War musician/historian/storyteller, performs songs from the Civil War perios & tells stories behind them, accompanying himself on guitar & banjo
Brian Wicklund http://www.brianwicklund.com/
PO Box 67
Marine on St. Croix, MN 55047
(651) 433-4564
wicklund@minn.net
Author of Suzuki method bluegrass violin, viola & cello books & CDs, leads bluegrass workshops & camps
Click here to go to the Bluegrass in the Schools Mini-Grant Application Form. Email nancyc@ibma.org for more info.
The Bluegrass in the Schools Implementation Manual was compiled and edited by Greg Cahill, Tim Stafford and Nancy Cardwell.
This manual is a resource for teachers seeking specific information about bluegrass music to present to a class and for bands/musicians interested in developing school programs. Included in this publication you will find specific program information about bluegrass music and a suggested presentation outline, along with funding development ideas and a list of written, DVD and internet program resources.
The Monroe Brothers were one of the most popular duet teams of the 1920s and into the 1930s. Charlie played the guitar, Bill played the mandolin and they sang duets in harmony. When the brothers split up as a team in 1938, both went on to form their own bands. Since Bill was a native of Kentucky, the Bluegrass State, he decided to call his band "Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys," and this band sound birthed a new form of country music.