• 2019 Old School Bluegrass Camp

    5th Annual Old School Bluegrass Camp Returns June 30 - July 5

    Milford, Canada — The 5th Annual Old School Bluegrass Camp bringing songs and strings to the heart of Prince Edward County returns here June 30 - July 5 and registration is open.

    The camp offers master classes in bluegrass to students from all over the world. Classes in guitar, fiddle, banjo (clawhammer and bluegrass styles), vocal performance, Dobro, mandolin and bass are led by world-class Ontario musicians at the former South Marysburg Public School grounds.

    Old School Bluegrass Camp is a different kind of workshop, focusing on bluegrass instruments and bluegrass music. With limited enrollment of only 50 campers, OSBC gives each camper an unprecedented level of teaching, coaching, mentoring and one-on-one instruction. Learning how to perform with others in a band setting is a fundamental goal of Old School Bluegrass Camp, with the aim towards creating ten bluegrass groups that will play together, jam, practice, gel as a band and ultimately perform on the OSBC stage together on the last day of camp.

    Nightly socials, dances and campfires serve to make this the week of a lifetime. The camp fee of $900 + HST includes on site camping accommodations, amenities, three delicious home cooked meals per day plus snacks, and all instructions and activities during they stay. Visit the camp web site for non-camping accommodation suggestions and other guidelines.

    Instructors

    • Nathan Smith - Fiddle
    • Tim O'Reilly - Bass
    • Rob McLaren - Bluegrass Banjo
    • Kyle Kirkpatrick - Guitar
    • Joey Wright - Mandolin
    • Kristine Schmitt - Vocal Performance
    • Sam Allison - Clawhammer Banjo
    • Luke Mercier - On-Site Luthier
    • Ivan Rosenberg - Slow Jams

    Bass Scholarship

    Old School Bluegrass camp is again offering a Bass Scholarship valued at $900.00 and includes all aspects of the Bluegrass Camp week, food and camping. The successful applicant to the Bass Scholarship Program will study with Tim O'Reilly, known for his bass work with Toronto band The Barrel Boys. Applications are open to students 18 years of age or over; email the camp with a letter describing why you or your nominee is an outstanding candidate for the Bass Scholarship and your passion for bass as the backbone of bluegrass. Include "Bass Scholarship" in the subject line of your email, applications are open until June 1, 2019.

    About

    The Old School Bluegrass Camp is the brain child of Jenny Whiteley and Alysa Hawkins. The idea to run a music camp has been on Jenny's mind for years, but she never found the perfect venue and situation. When Alysa and her family bought the South Marysburg School, the missing ingredient, (and a partner in the camp) suddenly appeared! The school was perfect: many instructional spaces, a gymnasium including a lighted stage and eight acres of beautiful property. A partnership in perfect harmony launched the first Old School Bluegrass Camp in 2015.

    Additional Information