Pagosa Bluegrass Camp For Kids
Hosted by Bearfoot and FolkWest

June 2-4, 2010 • Reservoir Hill Park, Pagosa Springs, CO

Registration opens November 30, 2009 - spots filled on a first come basis.

General Information
Open to students ages 6-17.  Campers must have completed first grade. We also request that campers aged 6-7 be accompanied by their parent during lesson, but it is not necessary.  This camp is an opportunity to explore traditional music in a supportive environment.  Please speak with your children about behavior expectations while at camp. 

Registration - $200
Class sizes are limited and preferences are honored of registration arrival. Your schedule, books, and other information will be given to you when you arrive at camp. Please be sure to arrive at 10:00am with your parent or guardian. A medical form is also due with this application. Spaces will be filled on a first-come basis.

Meals
Please bring your own sack lunches to camp. Snacks will be provided.  Water bottles and recorded devices are welcome, but please leave electronic games at home.

Camping/Lodging
Camping is available in a designated area on Reservoir Hill beginning on Tuesday, June 1 at 3:00 PM for camp participants. All students must be supervised in the campground by a parent or guardian before and after camp each day. This is not a “drop off” type camp. The campground is located within walking distance to downtown and there are 9 miles of hiking and biking trails right on Reservoir Hill to keep the rest of the family occupied during the days. Pets are not allowed in the campgrounds during the Bluegrass Camp or festival.

Each camp family will have a pass that allows them to drive up and down the hill Tuesday through Thursday and Friday morning. If you plan to stay through the weekend for the festival you must have on-site camping for each person on site age 13 and over as well as a vehicle pass for any vehicle (including camper) that will be staying on Reservoir Hill past the end of Camp on Friday. You are allowed to move to a different camp area on Reservoir Hill after 11:00 AM on Friday morning.

Pagosa Springs offers a variety of comfortable and reasonably priced lodging options -- from motel rooms to cozy cabins and luxury vacation homes.

Daily Schedule

Camp Concert
The end of camp concert will be held at 3:30 on Friday, June 4.

Faculty
Members of the award winning band, Bearfoot, will be teaching and conducting the camp.  These highly qualified music teachers have taught thousands of children across the U.S., Canada, and Ireland.  In addition to teaching music camp, two of the band members are certified elementary education teachers in Alaska, California, and Idaho.  For more information on the band members, go to www.bearfootband.com/bios.html.

Parent Volunteers Needed
These music camps take a significant amount of time and effort to put on.  If you can help in any way, please contact us, or check the box in the registration from indicating that you would like to volunteer.  Volunteer jobs include setting up snack, helping kids to classes, finding instruments, tuning instruments, helping with registration, and other camp jobs.

Class Descriptions - Students will have the opportunity to take 3 classes during the camp (see registration form).

BANJO (age 10 & over due to instrument size)
Class will be offered if enough students sign up. Please indicate your child's level of experience with the banjo (i.e. non, novice, intermediate, advanced)

BASS

Beginning Bass. No prerequisite.  Students will learn how a bass fits into a jam or band.  They will learn 4-5 chords and how to back up a guitar on some simple singing songs.

Intermediate and Advanced Bass. Students should have been taking lessons in orchestra or otherwise for at least 6 months.  Students will learn chords to back up a guitar, as well as scales, patterns for following new chords, new songs, and how to walk.

DANCE

No prerequisite. This is a chance for students to explore different types of traditional dances: square dance, contra dance, waltzes, swing dancing, clogging, and more!  Students will learn basic moves of each dance, and how to call a dance.

FIDDLE

Beginning Fiddle. No prerequisite. This class is geared towards students who have no or very little background in playing fiddle or violin. Students will learn how to correctly hold and bow the instrument as well as a few basic fiddle tunes.

Intermediate Fiddle. Students should have been taking fiddle for one year or be in Suzuki Book 1. In this class, students will work on becoming stronger players and learn a few basic fiddle tunes in first position.

Advanced Fiddle. Students should have been taking fiddle lessons for 2 years or be in Suzuki Book 3. Students will learn 2-3 fiddle tunes, some basics on how to improvise, different bowings, backup, and other techniques to bluegrass fiddling.

Twin Fiddle. Students must have been playing fiddle/violin for 2 years.  This class will teach students how to find and/or play harmony parts on the fiddle.  Students will learn the lead and harmony part to a few different fiddle tunes.

GUITAR

Beginning Guitar. No prerequisite. Students will learn 4-5 basic guitar chords, how to strum with a pick, and a few basic bluegrass songs.

Intermediate and Advanced Guitar. This class is geared towards students that can play several chords comfortably and the boom strum rhythm.  Students will learn to flat pick, along with strengthening their chord and rhythm knowledge.

MANDOLIN

Beginning Mandolin. No prerequisite. This class will teach students the basics of how to hold and play the mandolin.  They will learn a few easy mandolin chords, some bluegrass tunes, and mandolin rhythm.

Intermediate and Advanced Mandolin. Students should be quite comfortable playing 2 finger chords.  They should also be able to play a few basic tunes. Students will learn how to play closed finger chords, work on their rhythm, and lead on a few new bluegrass songs.

VOCALS

Beginning Vocals. No prerequisite. Students will learn fun songs to sing with a group, a guitar, or alone.  They will also learn warm-up exercises and a basic bluegrass repertoire of tunes.

Advanced Vocals (12 & older) – This class is based around solos, harmonies and specific vocal techniques. Students will talk about the importance of lyrics, touch on how to harmonize, and take solos as well as work on increasing their bluegrass repertoire.

SONGWRITING (12 & older)

No prerequisite. Students will learn the basics of songwriting, from instrumentation to lyrics.

JAMMING

Beginning Jamming. No prerequisite. Younger students will learn how to play simple tunes as part of an ensemble.

Advanced Jamming. Students should be proficient on at least one instrument. Students will learn how to jam with others - taking leads when appropriate and keeping background rhythms for the group. They will also learn a selection of bluegrass standards typically played during jam sessions.

For additional information, please call 1-877-472-4672.

Download the Registration Form

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