Mandolin symposium

[g-mac]

Each of the past three years, I've wanted to attend but always had a conflict. I'm now thinking about this year and wondered if those who have attended in prior years could give their impressions.

Did you get a lot out of it? Are you going again this year? Is there a lot of attitude, or are the teachers/attendees truly supportive of players at all levels?

Many thanks for your thoughts.

[Gary]

Hi,

I've been the last two years. I got quite a bit out of it and certainly recommend going. I would say that the teachers are extremely helpful. Most of the attendees are supportive as well (there are over 100 so there is obviously a range of personalities). There are some extremely talented players there so it can be a bit intimidating. Also, I noticed that many of the classes were virtually identical from one year to the next but for a first-time attendee that won't be an issue. I'm not sure if i'll be able to go this year but if i do, i hope to see you there.

gary

[SternART]

Most fun I have all year! And as far a getting something out of it, I get so much that the next year
rolls around & I haven't even covered all the material yet. Hang with your mando heros for a week, in a
beautiful setting overlooking the ocean, meet new friends from all over he world.....there is cool stuff no
matter what your age, skill level, or kind of music you like.....you'll find your peers, get your pick
of a wide variety of clases & instructors and you get inspired to keep progressing. Incredible concerts & jams
every night, you even get to perform on stage at UCSC Performing Arts Center. Recommended!!!

[Mike Crater]

I'm going this year. #I've only been playing for 2 years (no other instruments either), and was feeling a bit intimidated by what I preceived as so many talented kids. #I talked to Mike Marshall about that, and he assured me that the old beginners way outnumber the talented "brats", and that people tend to naturally seek out their own level and style, and group up like that. #At my level of ability, just breathing the same air as Grisman, Marshall, Mike Compton, etc, will benefit me. I'm pretty darned excited about it!

[Don Christy]

I'm going this year. I'm a late starting beginner too. Well I've been saying beginner now for 2-3 years, so I guess I better start improving! I'm sure there will be some moments of intimidation, but who cares? Gettin' to hang with your mando heros and meet new friends and escape from work for a week ... what more could you want?
See you there
Don

[seanonabutton]

i went the past two years and will not be going again this year. the first year i went was a blast and i think i learned a decent amount but for the most part i was basking in the glory of all these amazing players and that was what made it for me. the second year i was really looking to learn a lot of stuff but i didnt. the whole thing was relatively unorganized and teachers would walk in asking what class they were teaching... things like that. it was still fun both years. but for that much money my advice would be go once...

[Romkey]

I went the first year and had a great time.

[djweiss]

Like Art Stern, I've been every year, and am signed up again this year...

Last year I was a bit dissapointed in the organization, but 10 months later I'm still working on some of the techniques I picked up...as well as some of the material from earlier years...While perhaps a bit loose on structure, that amount of knowledge and skill walking around should provide nearly anybody with something to learn.

-DJW

[Jim Hilburn]

I went specifically to do the builders workshop with Nugget. He showed how he does a dovetail which is some of the most scarce information in all of mandolin building. Luckily for me, he had explained that to me in 1980 but I enjoyed being there to see him actually do it. He was also going to show how he measures the plate thicknesses on a Loar he had in his posession, but there was a change in plans. David Grisman loaned him Crusher for that so we were present for the documentation of this famous instrument. What a boring day that was.
This year Lynn Dudenbostel will be doing the builders workshop. I'm not sure what he's going to focus on, but I told him how it went for me and gave some ideas. I know it's hard for builders to get the scratch together, but this is a great opportunity.
The morning mandolin apprieciation gatherings and the evening concerts were worth the price alone, but there was so much more to take in. It's at what has to be one of the most breathtaking campus' anywhere and there's great company to hang with like Arthur for instance. The grub wasn't too bad either.
Highly recommended.

[siren_20]

I went the first three years, but I'm doubtful as to whether or not I'll be able to make it this year (I really want to, but life being the unpredictable thing that it is...)

In short each year I've gone has been uniquely rewarding on a lot of different levels. Everything from technique, musicianship, all of it. A real highlight for me: Mike Marshall has done some great classes on chords, composition, etc that put the focus on music theory in the context of the mandolin. Those classes were really helpful for developing a more "accurate" grasp of music... so many folks like me come from a picker's sort of background with little specific instruction in this area.

I think a lot of it comes down to the fact that you're immersed in this sea of so many great players (both the instructors and the students, really) that you really get out of it what you put into it. It's literally all mandolin (or mandola or octave mandolin or mandocello... etc) all the time. Everything about each years' experience was very fulfilling for me and I feel like it's helped me massively as a player.

I have never sensed any negative attitudes in the workshops, all the instructors are very patient and supportive. And, I still keep in touch regularly with a lot of fellow students from past years.

I second Jim's sentiments: Highly recommended.