Summer Camp

July 19 - 23, 2010

WEEK-LONG INSTRUCTION

The Pennsylvania Bluegrass Academy summer camp continues to offer a quality experience to folks of all ages who have an interest in bluegrass music.

Our camp, which was first held in 1991, has always focused on the novice who is, for the most part, unfamiliar with the genre. During the week, we attempt to blend the beginner with the more seasoned student who’s grown in skill level. We use lectures, demonstrations, group instruction, and rehearsals to teach the fundamentals of bluegrass music, including historical perspectives, improvisational skills, and jam session etiquette.

INSTRUCTORS

Nev Jackson – Banjo. Music Consultant and Camp Director.

Ken Gehret – Fiddle and Mandolin. Multi-instrumentalist and well-known performer from the Reading, PA, area.

Steve Waldon – Mandolin and Guitar. Multi-instrumentalist and performer (The Carroll County Ramblers) from York, PA.

LOCATION

Our location again this year is the Music Academy of the Country String Shop, 2849 Horseshoe Pike (Route 322), Campbelltown, Pennsylvania, five miles east of Hershey.

PARTICIPATING MINORS MAY NOT LEAVE THE MUSIC ACADEMY DURING CAMP HOURS WITHOUT A NOTE OF PERMISSION FROM PARENT OR GUARDIAN TO NEV JACKSON.

CAMP GOALS

A. To foster knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of bluegrass music and culture

B. To develop skills in improvising and in playing from memory

C. To teach skills and etiquette necessary for students to successfully interact with other musicians in bluegrass jam sessions

D. To encourage musicians to help create an enjoyable musical and social experience for the bluegrass audience

DAILY SCHEDULE

All participants should arrive daily between 8:30 and 8:45 a.m. Our camp day begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends promptly at 3:00 p.m. The daily schedule is intended to be flexible so that staff can best meet the needs of the campers. A typical day might proceed as follows:

9:00 a.m. Staff performance and slow play-through

9:30 Lecture

10:30 Sectionals and individual practice

noon Lunch – pack your own

Cold drinks are free

1 p.m. Assembly for tune refresher

1:15 Open jamming (M, T, Th, F)

Mid-week seminar (Wednesday)

3:00 Dismissal

FRIDAY AFTERNOON FROLIC

Friday afternoon is always a fun time at our camp. Participants get a chance to demonstrate what they’ve learned. A slightly-less-than formal performance is conducted, with the staff’s aid when necessary. Campers’ families are invited to this open session to hear and see their registrant’s accomplishments. This "concert" also serves as the camp’s Graduation Ceremony and is the highlight of our week.

COST AND PAYMENT

Registration entitles each participant to a week of exposure to bluegrass music’s history, a perspective on its current state in American commercial music, instruction from professional musicians, and a 2010 Pennsylvania Bluegrass Academy T -shirt.

REGISTRATION FORMS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN MARCH 31, 2010, AND MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A CHECK IN THE AMOUNT OF $200.00 PAYABLE TO THE ORDER OF NEV JACKSON.

Sorry, but no applications can be accepted later than March 31, 2010. Call Nev Jackson at 717-867-4175 for additional information and an application form. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

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