Level 2 Bluegrass Camp
August 25, 2024 – August 30, 2024 EDT
Silver Bay, NY at the Silver Bay YMCA Conference Center
Silver Bay is a large Y Camp and Conference Center, on Lake George in the Adirondacks.
87 Silver Bay Road
Silver Bay, NY 12874
Tuition: $490
$15 off thru Jan 31. Deposit of $150 holds your spot; 50% refundable for cancellations more than one month in advance. Balance due (check or cash) at camp.
All Bluegrass Skills Taught
9am-12:30pm: Daily classes for banjo, guitar, fiddle, mandolin, dobro, bass…AND… Coached small jam groups, intermediate/advanced.
1:50-5pm: coaching on harmony singing (one coach per trio), classes on songwriting, basic music theory, practice “boot camp”, playing under pressure, stagecraft, and more!
Activities every evening: fiddle tune jam, open mics, karaoke, history, jamming, beautiful sunsets!
Organized Bands: $65 Discount for Each Band Member
For band members registering together, to work together as a band throughout the week: $65 off each member’s tuition. Bands will have opportunities to perform and get performance coaching including working with a sound system on stage (band lab), band cohesion, rehearsal guidance, band decision-making, “how to make a band work”.
Band members must first contact Pete as a group, for approval of the group members’ band discount.
In 2024 we will have two concurrent camps:
| Qualifications | Level 2 (this camp) | Basic/Early-Intermediate Camp, Level 1-1.5, directed by Harry Gambrill |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | Ample experience with bluegrass jamming; able to solo in more than one key; able to follow guitar chord changes; willing/able to lead songs; experienced using the basic chord number system and jam etiquette | Ability to change chords smoothly between G, C, D, A (or the notes that work on bass and fiddle) |
| Tempos | Ranging over 100 beats/minute (if not sure you can handle that speed for soloing, please check) | 60-95 beats/minute |
| Singing | Ability to sing generally melodies accurately is expected. Harmony singing is taught daily to those who can learn and usually “hold” a harmony part | Please try! Song leading is especially valued |
| Soloing | Willing/able to fake passable solos in more than one key (exceptions: bass players and rhythm-only guitar players). Melody-based solos are the standard, so we try for that; ability to find melody notes by ear is expected. | Minimal “placeholder” soloing taught, and acceptable; more advanced soloing taught but not required |
Please carefully assess your qualifications to determine which camp is most suitable. If you’re not sure, write to Pete regarding your skills in these areas. We reserve the right to re-assign students between camps as needed.
| Activities | Level 2 (this camp) | Basic/Early-Intermediate Camp, Level 1-1.5 |
|---|---|---|
| Performing | Performance opportunity (expected but optional); some performance coaching; extra coaching available for bands | No performing expected |
| Night Activities | Open to participate in open mic and karaoke | Attendance welcome at all nighttime activities |
| Hours | Both camps will have the same hours. Sunday evening following dinner is an informal kickoff get-together for all. Classes and coached jamming run Monday-Friday 9-5 daily, in separate but close-by locations at Silver Bay. Both camps’ students will have meals together and may arrange accommodations on-site together. | |
Silver Bay YMCA Conference Center
For accommodations reservations, call 518-543-8415 or email reservations@silverbay.org.
Call any time… Your message left will get a callback during the next business hours. The Silver Bay reservations team will help you with housing choices and all info. Room/meal deals start at a little over $100/day; the least expensive options are reserved quickly so call soon!
Scholarship
One scholarship is available for either a bass player in the Level 2 camp, or for any instrument in the Level 1 camp. It covers full tuition and about half of housing/meal expense. People under 25 and service veterans are especially encouraged to apply. To donate or apply, write to Pete.
Applicants should give their age, instrument(s) played, and experience and goals in bluegrass, and a short statement of their financial need. Applications must be received by June 19 and applicants will be notified by June 24.
Watch this video of our 2015 camp! With many thanks to the French filmmaker and banjo player Antoine Porteaux who attended the camp as part of a U.S. bluegrass tour originating in Paris. The film starts with the Europeans’ travel to Silver Bay, and the part about the camp starts at 2:03.
Want to know more about the Silver Bay instructors? Here they are in concert, featuring There Ain’t Nobody Going to Miss Me When I’m Gone, Golden Slippers, Why You Been Gone So Long, Blue Moon of Kentucky, Lay That Pistol Down, Sitting on Top of the World, mandolin duets and more!
Comments from recent camps:
Click any photo to enlarge.
Tentative Schedule
The schedule shown here is based on recent years’ schedules and is sure to incorporate some changes.
silverbay-schedule-2023Register
Tuition: $490
$15 off thru Jan 31. Deposit of $150 holds your spot; 50% refundable for cancellations more than one month in advance. Balance due (check or cash) at camp. You will be sent the full set of of student materials as soon as you register.
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