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9th ANNUAL BANJO CAMP NORTH® May 15, 16, & 17, 2009 Director: Mike Holmes Music Director: Phil Zimmerman

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Banjo Camp North is a weekend-long celebration of the 5-string banjo in both old time and bluegrass styles! World-class banjoists make up our full-time and "adjunct" faculties. We have invited several top flight fiddlers and guitarists to teach about playing with other instruments and jamming, and to be on hand to help make those all-night jams something special. In response to previous attendees requests, this year we are adding a Fiddle Track for both Bluegrass and Old Time, plus we will emphasize banjo and fiddle duet playing.

Camp will open Friday at 12:00 PM for registration, jamming, and instruction. Registration will occur in the Adult Center starting at 12:30. We'll have hands-on workshops, round robin demonstrations and guided jam sessions for three days, a Friday night "meet the faculty concert," a formal concert Saturday night, and lots and lots of time for jamming and getting to know each other. Our resident instrument specialist will be there from 12 PM on Friday and all day Saturday. Lecture-demonstrations about banjo history and setup will be offered. Instrument vendors and makers, plus recordings, accessories and books will be on sale in our market area. Attendees are encouraged to bring banjos and other instruments for sale or trade.

The Beginners' Track provides instruction for absolute beginners (those who haven't played before), and those who can play a little bit, but still can't play with other people or pick out tunes on their own. Click below for more information.

Advancing Beginners and Intermediates will find classes geared to their levels and needs. Advancing beginners may still only play a few phrases and chords, but they have some basic banjo experience. In general intermediates know some tunes but aren't able to play up to speed yet. They are still working on rhythm. They may already read tab or notation, but can use help playing by ear and learning to arrange a tune or song on their own.

Classes at the Advancing Beginners/Intermediate level will include Learning To Play What You Hear, Playing Slow Tunes, Choosing Your Next Banjo, Introduction to Modern Bluegrass Style, Old Time Banjo, Translating Fiddle Tunes To The Banjo, What To Do When Another Instrument Has The Lead, Accompanying Singing, and many more. At Banjo Camp the emphasis is on using tab minimally - just to get you started playing.

For the Advanced Players, there will be added classes in Arranging Tunes or Songs For The Banjo, Introduction To What It Takes To Be An Effective Sideman, Playing For A Living, Playing And Composing For Commercials, and more.

The weekend will include at least 120 class hours plus guided jams at all speeds and levels. After each evening program there will be plenty of time for free jams, again at various levels. Most of the classes are hands on, practical learning situations. A few are demonstrations or mini-concerts, but even in these classes the intention is for you to take something away that you may want to learn or speak with the instructors about later. You are encouraged to bring a recording device of some kind.

Several other workshops that have been popular will be repeated. They include Maintaining and Optimizing Your Banjo, Playing With Others, Singing With The Banjo, Stagecraft, and Recording Techniques. There will be instruction at all levels.

Banjo Camp North takes place at a beautiful wooded lakeside setting near Groton Massachusetts. Cabins are heated, so you don't have to worry about our unpredictable New England weather.

Cabins: The cabins each have 3 or 4 rooms, and each room has 2 or 3 bunk beds. Each cabin also has 2 bathrooms and one shower. Separate women-only cabins are available. Cabins are far enough away from the playing/jamming areas so that quiet at bed-time won't be a problem. But then again many of you won't want to sleep, anyway! There is no smoking allowed in any of the buildings and no alcohol allowed on the camp site. Local accommodations are available for those who want to bring the family, or just prefer more privacy. The tuition fee will be adjusted for commuters.

Meals: Meals are provided as part of the tuition package, and vegetarian meals are available. Dinner will be served promptly at 6 PM Friday. The meals schedule for the rest of the weekend will be announced in the program book at camp time.

Off site residence: Click here for local accommodations. Electric hookups are available on site for motor homes, but there are no on site facilities for water or waste hookups.

Click on the underlined instructors' names to jump to more information about each one.

Alan Munde From his bluegrass apprenticeship with Jimmy Martin to his 21-year stint with Country Gazette, Alan has blazed a trail as one of the most innovative and influential banjo players of all time. Alan has supplemented his recorded work with several instructional publications for the banjo, and, since 1986, he has taught Bluegrass and Country Music at South Plains College in Levelland, Texas, a program which has produced many professional musicians nationwide. In recent years, Alan has performed and recorded as a duo with his South Plains faculty colleague (and former Gazette-mate) Joe Carr. Alan's extensive body of recorded work, his instructional materials, and his work at South Plains (including the annual Camp Bluegrass) has solidified his status as one of the true gurus of the 5-string. Alan currently serves on the Board of Directors of the International Bluegrass Music Association.

Eric Weissberg has been a major force on the bluegrass and folk scene and a ubiquitous presence on the studio scene for more than four decades. A founding member of the The Greenbriar Boys, he then joined The Tarriers in 1959, recording and touring worldwide for six years. As a top New York studio musician Eric has done over eight thousand sessions - jingles, movie tracks, and records - playing banjo, guitar, fiddle, among others for such diverse artists as Doc Watson, Barbra Streisand, Bob Dylan, John Denver, Willie Nelson, Neil Diamond, The Talking Heads, and Bruce Springsteen. He has performed with Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Symphony. His recording of Dueling Banjos, the soundtrack from Deliverance, earned him two gold records and a Grammy. Lately Eric has reappeared on the live scene singing and picking.

Casey Henry graduated from the University of Virginia, and set to work on her first banjo CD, Real Women Drive Trucks. Casey has played with Uncle Earl, the Jim Hurst Band, Tim Graves and Cherokee, June Carter Cash, and Tennessee Heartstrings. Casey's writing has been published in Bluegrass Unlimited, Banjo Newsletter, Bluegrass Now, Women in Bluegrass Newsletter, and Pickers in a Jam, the newsletter of the Banjo in the Hollow Club. Casey also gives banjo lessons in Nashville. She can be heard on many of the Murphy Method instruction DVD's where she and her mother, Murphy Henry, specialize in teaching beginners and more advanced playing styles.

Lauck Benson grew up in Ithaca, New York, amid the many banjo luminaries gracing both that fair city and Banjo Camp North. He obtained his bachelor's degree in bluegrass banjo from Empire State College, with Tony Trischka as his major professor. Lauck has played with Frank Wakefield, the Beacon Hillbillies, and Boston City Limits. He now plays with the Reunion Band. Lauck brings a vast knowledge of Old Time, Bluegrass and other fingerstyle banjo, and a strong interest in early music, he is currently transcribing the complete Cittern works of 16th-century composer Anthony Holborne for the banjo.

Bill Keith is a renowned explorer of the frontiers of banjo picking and of the instruments' harmonic potentialities. Bill Keith probably invented the three-finger picking style known as "melodic" banjo. He first came to international attention in the early 60s when he played and recorded with Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys. He co-authored the original Earl Scruggs banjo instruction book and record, and he has also authored several other banjo instruction books, including the first ones ever published in French and Italian. He has recorded several albums for Rounder, Green Linnet and Hexagon, and he has toured widely throughout North America, Western Europe Japan and Australia. He devised and - through the Beacon Banjo Company - still markets the famous tuning pegs that bear his name.

Bill Evans is well-known within the bluegrass banjo world as a player and teacher. A former member of Dry Branch Fire Squad, Bill currently tours nationally with Peter Rowan, John Reischman, Tony Trischka and with his solo historical concert The Banjo in America. In addition, he is the author of a monthly instructional column for Banjo Newsletter and has produced instructional books and videos with Sonny Osborne and J.D. Crowe for AcuTab Publications and Homespun Tapes. He has taught at the Augusta Heritage Center, Camp Bluegrass and Nashcamp bluegrass instructional camps.

Janet Davis was born and raised in Houston, Texas. Music was always an integral part of her family life. She showed a keen, early interest in stringed instruments, particularly those involved in folk and bluegrass music. Janet is equally adept on both Dobro® and 5-string banjo. Her books are popular worldwide. She has written numerous best selling books for the 5-string banjo as well as dobro, several of which are listed by Mel Bay as "Best Sellers." She has been a columnist with Banjo Newsletter for 25 years. Janet Davis Music Company is celebrating it's 27th Anniversary this year. At BCN Janet will teach backup banjo and up-the-neck work and help with the beginner's track.

Howie Bursen is best known for his gravity-defying, triplet-filled, fiddle-tune variations and is certainly one of today's foremost practitioners of clawhammer banjo style. He has taught clawhammer at the Maryland Banjo Academy, Common Ground and the California Traditional Solstice Festival, and his eclectic recordings contain quite a number of stellar clawhammer solos. Speaking of eclectic, Howie is also an excellent singer, song-writer and guitarist, and he makes his living as manager and head wine-maker for a Connecticut vineyard. His new album is titled Banjo Manikin.

Mac Benford has been playing the 5-string banjo for 40 years. He was fortunate enough in his formative years to have direct contact with great players like Wade Ward, Kyle Creed, Tom Ashley, and Roscoe Holcomb - all of whom strongly influenced his playing. He came to prominence during the 70s as a member of the legendary Highwoods String Band. Later, with the Backwoods Band and the Woodshed Allstars, Mac expanded on the traditional role of the clawhammer banjo as a lead and backup instrument. His recently released Kentucky Favorites showcases his ability to successfully capture the melodic subtlety of complex fiddle tunes without sacrificing the ring and drive of the best traditional playing.

Bruce Stockwell has been playing bluegrass banjo for 37 years and teaching for 25. By age 16 he had won banjo contests, recorded his first album and opened for Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson, John Hartford and many others. In the late 70’s he worked with Phil Rosenthal and Mike Auldridge as Old Dog. In the 80s & 90s Bruce toured the US and Europe with brothers Barry and Al in various acoustic/electric formats, with artists from Bill Monroe to Mary Chapin-Carpenter to NRBQ, producing two CD’s, Stobro and Leave My Dreams Alone. Bruce now teaches, does occasional session work, and performs progressive bluegrass throughout New England with The Stockwell Brothers.

Ray Alden has been active in the Old Time Music community for nearly 40 years. He has taught at The Tennessee Banjo Institute, Augusta Folk Heritage Institute, appeared in concerts, workshops, and on recordings. He is best known for his pioneering work recording traditional and second generation Appalachian banjo and fiddle players and styles, for which he has received many awards, including a Grammy nomination. They include Tommy And Fred - North Carolina Master Fiddle-Banjo Duets, MountAiry USA, The Young Fogies, and The American Fogies, are just a few. His publications include Advanced Speaker Systems, Music From Round Peak and numerous articles and photographs. In addition to teaching banjo, Ray will participate in the sound and recording seminars.

Bob Altschuler, BCN Beginner Bluegrass Track Coordinator, Bob Altschuler, has been playing and teaching bluegrass banjo for over 30 years. He currently performs with the Dyer Switch and Shagbark Hickory bands, and recorded the American Airwaves and Family Business CDs with Dyer Switch (www.dyerswitch.com). Featured on the National Public Radio Hudson River Sampler show and radio and television commercials, Bob also plays at many bluegrass festivals and other venues. He has instructed students privately and in group classes, and Mel Bay "Banjo Sessions" online magazine (www.banjosessions.com) features his instructional articles. Many students have commented on Bob's teaching style, which combines tailored instruction, patience, humor and "going the extra mile" to help them learn.

David Kiphuth began playing banjo and guitar 40 years ago. Although his bluegrass roots run the deepest, his musical loves include many forms. Dave has a unique playing style that combines melodic lines with a driving rhythm in yet another approach to 3-finger banjo. When not playing, he is an artist and illustrator. Linda Schrade has been singing and playing guitar for 35 years. When performing with husband David, her wonderful voice is beautifully complimented by his playing. They live in Saratoga Springs with their daughter, Allison. Linda is the owner of SARATOGA BEADS, a store in Saratoga Springs.

Mike Holmes (camp director) is best known as publisher of Mugwumps Magazine (now Mugwumps Online). He is the former chairman of the National Council for the Traditional Arts, a director of the National Folk Festival, and is widely regarded as an expert on the history of American stringed instruments. Mike has performed acoustic music on the North American and international circuit, he has served as back-up musician on the recordings of several traditional musicians. Mike estimates that he has taught over 500 people to play old time banjo, privately & in adult education classes. He won 2nd place in the Old Time Banjo competition at the Lowell Banjo & Fiddle Contest.

Lorraine Lee Hammond is best known for her Appalachian dulcimer playing and recordings. She is also a fine old time banjo player, singer, and teacher. Lorraine teaches 5-string banjo, Appalachian dulcimer, folk harp, songwriting and basic music theory at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education. She also organizes two annual music festivals at the Center: The Blacksmith House Folk Festival held each November and the Blacksmith House Dulcimer Festival held each May. Since 1986 Lorrainne has performed and toured extensively at home and abroad with guitar virtuoso Bennett Hammond. They married on Thanksgiving Day 1991.

Jane Rothfield is an accomplished frailing banjo player and has been playing since the late 70’s. Since then, Jane has honed a distinctive rhythmic and melodic style, greatly influenced by her fiddling repertoire of mainly Old Time tunes. Jane has taught banjo for over 20 years and uses an easy going approach that allows beginner students to quickly be able to play back up and melodies to tunes. Also known for her swingy and rockin’ old time fiddling, Jane has performed and recorded since the early 1980s and currently plays with her band Jane’s Gang. Her new CD, In the Moment features many of her new compositions. Jane is based near Albany NY.

Henry "Hank" Sapoznik is an award-winning author, radio and record producer, and performer of traditional Yiddish and American music. One of the stalwarts of New York City's old time music scene in the 1970s, he returned to old time music after a 25-year sabbatical with the 2005 release of "You Ain't Talkin' to Me: Charlie Poole and the Roots of Country Music" a three-CD box set of legendary country music pioneer Charlie Poole for Columbia Legacy, which garnered three Grammy nominations. Hank chairs the advisory board for the Charlie Poole Music Festival and Contest, now in its 13th year. His latest reissue, the 3 CD box set "People Take Warning! Murder Ballads and Disaster Songs 1913-1938" was nominated for a 2008 Grammy for "Best Historical Album." He is currently at work on a 2 CD set of country music pioneer Ernest Stoneman.

Rich Stillman is a long-time veteran of the Boston bluegrass scene, 1983 New Jersey bluegrass banjo champion and six-time winner of the Lowell, Massachusetts banjo contest. He has been playing banjo for over 25 years and has performed and recorded with bluegrass bands Southern Rail, WayStation, The Jersey Travelers, and The Bogus Family. He currently performs with Boston-based Southern Rail.

Glenn Nelson, resident instrument specialist, has been building, restoring and repairing instruments for 20 years. Glenn and his wife Barbara started Mockingbird Music in Berlin, Massachusetts, where they build custom stringed instruments and specialize in the repair and restoration of vintage instruments. Glenn currently teaches five string banjo and performs with "Acoustic Planet" encompassing world music, folk, jazz and bluegrass. At BCN he will be available to do minor setups & repairs on site, and to accept instruments for more extensive work. Charges will apply for materials and time spent. Glenn will also participate in some jazz and modern playing workshops where he will showcase his "Fan Fret Fingerboard" innovation.

Dave Reiner is best known as co-author of Oldtime Fiddling Across America (Mel Bay Publications), and as author of Anthology of Fiddle Styles. He currently plays fiddle and mandolin with the Reiner Family Band and with Granite Grass in and around New England. Dave is the former Wisconsin state fiddle champion and has won many contests in the Northeast. A veteran of years of giving fiddle workshops, Dave will teach from beginner levels on up with special interest in bowing patterns and accents, fiddle rags, Northeastern tunes, tune variations, twin fiddling, and unusual oldtime tunes.

John Rossbach, originally from central West Virginia, he is equally at home in both old time and bluegrass. He currently works in two bands, his own bluegrass ensemble Chestnut Grove, and Mac Benford's old-time string band, the Woodshed All Stars. He has recorded with Bill Keith, Charles Sawtelle, the Burns Sisters, and Don Stover, and appeared on radio and television for CBS, TNN, PBS, BBC, and CBC. John was staff guitarist for the Maryland Banjo Academy, and guitar instructor at the Augusta Heritage program. His solo album is entitled Never Was Plugged.

Phil Zimmerman has been a folk and bluegrass musician since his high school days in Chicago. He developed his multi-instrumentalist chops as a solo performer in college, and has won regional contests for bluegrass and clawhammer banjo, as well as for guitar and mandolin. He’s currently playing mandolin and singing lead with Connecticut’s premier traditional bluegrass band, Traver Hollow. He’s a founding member of Connecticut’s groundbreaking eclectic string band, Last Fair Deal, playing banjo, mandolin, and guitar with them since 1972. A few years ago, he joined with Phil Rosenthal (of Seldom Scene), Stacy Phillips, and Dave Kiphuth to form Bluegrass Union.

Alan Kaufman has performed Old Time Music for more than 30 years. A fine player on mandolin and guitar, he is best known for his fiddle playing. Alan is author of Beginning Old Time Fiddle published by Music Sales. He currently is responsible for starting and leading two well-received Old TIme Music jams in the greater Boston area, one in Waltham on Sunday evenings, and the other in Brighton Center on Wednesdays. At camp he will teach fiddle, primarily with the novice and beginner track, repertoir, and lead jamming sessions.

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