• 3rd Annual Monroe Mandolin Camp

    2016 edition includes Traditional Bluegrass Banjo and Old-Time Mandolin tracks.

    Nashville, Tenn. — The 3rd Annual Monroe Mandolin Camp will be held September 14-18, 2016 in the heart of Nashville.

    This hands-on musical camp focuses on the music and artistry of Grand Ole Opry star and creative musical legend Bill Monroe.

    As the only musical camp that focuses solely on this prolific composer and musician, and the music that influenced him, the camp provides attendees with world-class instruction, and international community of Monroe enthusiasts, an experience that will deepen their musical endeavors and journey.

    The camp takes place at the beautiful retreat of the Scarritt Bennett Center, a beautiful former college campus situated on ten lush acres with historic gothic architecture providing a one-of-a-kind venue to host this year's Camp. Minutes from Music Row and next to Vanderbilt University and trendy Hillsboro Village, the site offers convenience and easy access for all.

    The all-star, internationally known staff includes Mike Compton as Director, Richie Brown, David Davis, Adam Tanner, Casey Campbell, and Mark Royal; luthiers Paul Duff, Will Kimble, and Lynn Dudenbostel; and Special presenters Walter Carter, Martin Fisher, and others.



    Starting in 2016 two special tracks on other bluegrass instruments are being offered in conjunction with the mandolin camp.

    A Special Old-Time Mandolin Track this year focuses on the musical generation that influenced Monroe and the creation of his mandolin style.

    Fiddler and mandolinist Adam Tanner, an enthusiastic and accomplished practitioner of old-time fiddling, bluegrass, and published author on the subject of transferring fiddle rhythms to mandolin will lead the track. Adam is recognized by all those who have sat in his classes as a master teacher and communicator.

    There will also be offered a Traditional Bluegrass Banjo Track that will feature the influence Monroe's music had on the banjo.

    The Camp is proud to present this year's banjo instructor, Alan O'Bryant, banjo great from Reedsville, North Carolina. Alan will be coaching intermediate and advanced students only. This is NOT a beginner course, but an intensive look at the inner workings of traditional bluegrass banjo. The Traditional Bluegrass Banjo Track will be limited to an intimate size with a maximum of 15 students.

    Camp Highlights

    • Focuses solely on the traditional music created and played by the Father of Bluegrass, Bill Monroe. No psychograss, no gangstagrass, no progressive-grass, no jazz-grass, no jamgrass. Pure traditional, roots based Monroe music, all the time.
    • Every attendee has the opportunity to sign up for an exclusive knee-to-knee, one-on-one individual session with an instructor of their choice. We are expanding time slot availability for 2016 MonManCamp.
    • "Monroe-Mando-Mania" Opening Night Jam: You never know which Nashville musician on the professional scene will show up for this! Throw in pizza and some local brews, and you have an opening night party jam that will be the first of many highlights!
    • Over 66 classes to choose from; Special Presentations; Instructor-led slow jams; jamming into the wee hours of the morning.
    • Bound camp booklet that includes instructor materials from all classes, plus bonus reference materials, for student to take home with them. An incredible resource to refer back to through the year until next year's camp.

    On Saturday, September 17, 2016, there will be a Monroe Mandolin Camp Benefit Concert held at Carter Vintage Guitars, 625 8th Avenue South, Nashville, (two miles from the Scarritt-Bennett Center site.) The concert features all camp instructors, luthiers and special guests. The event will benefit the Camp Scholarship Fund and will be viewed through live on-line screening.

    Additional information