Artist Training Workshops

Are you in a touring or local band who is interested in sharing bluegrass with young people? The Foundation for Bluegrass Music offers half-day trainings located in various regions of the U.S., usually affiliated with major festivals or bluegrass association meetings—where artists will already be in attendance.  Event producers and association leaders interested in helping to develop bluegrass programs for local students are also welcome at these workshops.

There is no fee for the training, other than having a festival ticket for that day. Entire bands or individual musicians representing local or touring bands are welcome. 

Course content includes the following:

• A live demonstration of a bluegrass program for students, from an experienced band, with a Q & A session
• Info on current IBMA tools available, including the Discover Bluegrass DVD & lesson plans, Mini-Grant application info, regional teacher workshops, the online Bluegrass in the Schools Implementation Manual and more.
• A “tip sheet” for artists that includes ideas on how to develop and present educational bluegrass programs for students, based on a survey of 20 bands who are currently doing a good job at this already. 
• Information on how to pitch Bluegrass in the Schools programs to local schools, and also ideas about how to fund them.

For information on hosting a Bluegrass in the Schools training in conjunction with your festival or event, call Nancy Cardwell at 888-438-4262, 615-256-3222, or email nancyc@ibma.org.

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