Thoughts on a good Mandolin Camp for a Limey

Hi all,

So here's the thing. Mandolin is not big in the U of K and what teachers or courses there are - both of them - are either classical or folk of the "Speed the Plough" Nonsuch type, with a bit of the Dubliners etc thrown in. Not many pickings for someone like me who is getting into bluegrass.

Well, I thought to myself, I've got a ton of unused airmiles - why not go to one of those wonderful US Summer Camps?

Which is a fine idea, but which ones are good? Ther are SO many. I'd say I'm around intermediate, not as fast as I'd like to be but a good ear, reasonable theory and good with chords. Bass player too (one of those nasty electric ones).

All suggestions gratefully received!

The Swannanoa Gathering have excellent music camps. Check out their website.

Targhee Music Camp is back on after a 3 year hiatus. The Travelin’ McCoury’s and Mr. Sun are bands in residence and there are 20 instructors to choose from, along with workshops and nightly concerts it’s a blast. Check it out, held at Grand Targhee Resort in Alta, WY August 7-10 and the Targhee Bluegrass Festival follows 11-13 so you can make a week of it.

https://targheemusiccamp.com/

Steve Kaufman also runs a nice series of camp in June in Maryville, TN.

https://www.flatpik.com/steve-kaufma...-kamp-overview

Also wanted to add Walker Creek Music Camp in CA is back and Sorrento in BC (Canada) is being held. Haven't been to either but hear they both are good.

All I have to offer is western events, there are alot of events along the east cost, Swannanoa was mentioned.

Check the Cafe's workshops page for more info.

Alan Bibey's camp, which also has Don Steirnberg, would be a good choice I think. Haven't done a camp with Alan, but I have done a workshop and it was great, and I've been to several camps with Don. I don't think you could go wrong there.

Mandolin Camp North in April - https://musiccampsnorth.com with class list at https://musiccampsnorth.com/wp-conte...Class-List.pdf

Mandolin teachers
Don Stiernberg, Sharon Gilchrist, Skip Gorman, Jacob Jolliff, Jim Richter, Maddie Witler, Don Julin, Moriah Ozberkmen, Lauren Price Napier, Ben Pearce, Ethan Setiawan, Lorraine Hammond, Claudine Langille, Bill Thibodeau

Guitar teachers
John Kael, Joe Newberry, Tony Watt, Lincoln Meyers, Alex Rubin

Fiddle teachers
Annie Staninec, Louise Bichan, Janie Rothfield, Austin Scelzo

Are you limited to traveling in the summer? Any other constraints? Budget? Other destinations you might want to see while you're stateside?

As a destination and experience, it's hard to beat Monroe Mandolin Camp, though it skews a bit on the advanced side. I hear great things about Swannanoa. My mainstay is Mandolin Camp North in Massachusetts, but that's in April.

I second Amanda’s recommendation of the Monroe Mandolin Camp. This year it covers the high lonesome years of the 1950’s…so there will be some hard edged mandolin sounds being taught. It’s a top notch experience and is very welcoming to beginners as well as seasoned veterans.

Look closer:

https://www.sorefingers.co.uk/

This is THE go to event in Europe when it comes to learning (bluegrass) music. I know many regular attendees. They all speak highly of the event. The pandemic prevented me from going. But watch out. It sells out really quickly.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by grassrootphilosopher

Look closer:

https://www.sorefingers.co.uk/

This is THE go to event in Europe when it comes to learning (bluegrass) music. I know many regular attendees. They all speak highly of the event. The pandemic prevented me from going. But watch out. It sells out really quickly.

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I know some of the Sorefingers instructors, they're really good. From what I've heard it's an excellent experience with quite small numbers.

I'm not a bluegrass player, but if I bite the bullet and treat myself to an upright bass I'd be tempted to go myself.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ProfChris

I know some of the Sorefingers instructors, they're really good. From what I've heard it's an excellent experience with quite small numbers.

I'm not a bluegrass player, but if I bite the bullet and treat myself to an upright bass I'd be tempted to go myself.

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It is true that it is bluegrass oriented. But there is also the old-time part of the workshops. Singing is a universal skillset. Well, if you can play bluegrass you can play a whole lot of music.

I am still looking for a similar workshop idea for jazz (acoustic guitar etc.) in order to be able to learn the chord language.