Adult Fiddle Camp in Bethel, Missouri

Wednesday, October 9, 2024 – Saturday, October 12, 2024
Bethel, Missouri

2024 Bethel, Mo adult fiddle camp flyerAdult fiddle camp allows fiddlers age 18 and over to study with master fiddlers to learn new tunes, build a network of fiddler friends, and work on perfecting technique. Camp offers an opportunity to connect with Missouri’s unique local fiddle tradition through working with masters who have learned directly from fiddlers in their communities.

Who Is This Camp For?

  • Fiddlers of all levels from confident beginners through advanced students. All fiddlers should be able to tune their instruments and play simple tunes.
  • Students who want to improve their ear-learning skills.
  • Fiddlers that would like to increase their repertoire of fiddle tunes or comfort level when playing with others. We won’t be working on bluegrass, country, swing or improvisational skills, but will focus on old-time fiddle styles.
  • Fiddlers who want to learn to play for dances or improve their dance fiddling.
  • Guitar, banjo, piano players and other accompanists are welcome.

Logisitics

  • Lodging is provided in the rooming quarters above the Bethel Fest Hall (rooms with shared bathrooms, up a flight of stairs). If numbers require, we may expand into another lodging house in Bethel.
  • Meals are provided at the Bethel Fest Hall with daily salad bars and excellent cafe food.
  • During the camp, we have small group classes, larger sessions and evening jam sessions. We gather on Wednesday evening and depart Saturday by noon, generally.

For more information contact John Williams. Download the registration form.

Youth Fiddle Camp in Bethel, Mo

Sunday, June 9, 2024 – Friday, June 14, 2024
Bethel, Missouri

Youth camp is the prime opportunity for aspiring young fiddlers to perfect technique and learn tunes of Missouri Style fiddling. Individual lessons daily set this camp apart from other group camp settings. Dance is a big part of the Bethel camp where all campers learn to dance old-fashioned square dances and have the opportunity to learn to call the dances if they choose to do so. Tuition is ~$375 and includes meals and lodging. For more information or to register, contact Wendy Bumbaugh at 573-822-9498.

“Keep It Old-Time:” Fiddle Music in Missouri from the 1960s Folk Music Revival to the Present

Thursday, November 30, 2023 • 6:30
The State Historical Society of Missouri, 605 Elm Street, Columbia, Missouri

Cover image from "Keep it Old Time" by Howard Marshall.For centuries, the violin has been both a “people’s instrument” as well as a “palace” instrument that spans the globe. Whether called “violin” or “fiddle” (they are the same, just with differing customs of learning and performance), it continues to be enjoyed across many different traditions and communities.

Howard Marshall, professor emeritus and former director of the Missouri Cultural Heritage Center at the University of Missouri, will offer examples of traditional fiddle music in Missouri today  and will share the history and people behind the music.  Marshall, himself a fiddler, will be joined by Richard Shewmaker (violin), Amber Gaddy (violin), Jim Ruth (five-string banjo), David Cavins (guitar), Asher Ferguson (penny whistle), and Kathy Gordon (bass).  The program will include a set of Irish fiddle tunes by Jim Ruth (violin), Linda Shumate (concertina), and Heinrich Leonhard (guitar), mainstays of the Irish music scene in Columbia.

Marshall’s new book, published by University of Missouri PressKeep It Old-Time: Fiddle Music in Missouri from the 1960s Folk Music Revival to the Present, is the third in his fiddle history trilogy. The book, along with a companion CD of music by 36 fiddlers, is available in the Richard Bookstore inside the Center for Missouri Studies, and other bookshops.

The event is free to the public and is sponsored by the State Historical Society of Missouri and University of Missouri Press.

HOBA’s 39th Annual Fall Bluegrass Festival

Thursday, September 21, 2023 – Saturday, September 23, 2023
HOBA campround, West Plains, MO Map

From the organizer: A great little bluegrass festival in the beautiful Ozark hills of south central Missouri hosted by the Heart of Ozark Bluegrass Association (HOBA). Stage shows 7 p.m. Thursday night, 7 p.m. Friday night. 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon. 7 p.m. Saturday night. Jamming. RV hookups. Hot showers. Concessions. Shade trees. Family friendly. No illegal drugs, alcohol, or recreational cannabis. Admission is $5 to $25. Get more details at the HOBA site.

If you have questions, contact the Ozark Welcome Center at tourism [at] westplains [dot] gov or by calling 417-256-8835.

HOBA’s 40th Annual Spring Bluegrass Festival

Thursday, June 1, 2023 – Saturday, June 3, 2023
HOBA campround, West Plains, MO Map

From the organizer: A great little bluegrass festival in the beautiful Ozark hills of south central Missouri hosted by the Heart of Ozark Bluegrass Association (HOBA). Stage shows 7 p.m. Thursday night, 7 p.m. Friday night. 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon. 7 p.m. Saturday night. Jamming. RV hookups. Hot showers. Concessions. Shade trees. Family friendly. No illegal drugs, alcohol, or recreational cannabis. Admission is $5 to $25. Get more details at the HOBA site.

If you have questions, contact the Ozark Welcome Center at tourism [at] westplains [dot] gov or by calling 417-256-8835.

Youth Fiddle Camp in Bethel, Mo

Sunday, June 11, 2023 – Friday, June 16, 2023
Bethel, Missouri

Youth camp is the prime opportunity for aspiring young fiddlers to perfect technique and learn tunes of Missouri Style fiddling. Individual lessons daily set this camp apart from other group camp settings. Dance is a big part of the Bethel camp where all campers learn to dance old-fashioned square dances and have the opportunity to learn to call the dances if they choose to do so. Tuition is ~$375 and includes meals and lodging. For more information or to register, contact Wendy Bumbaugh at 573-822-9498.

Adult Fiddle Camp in Bethel, Missouri

Wednesday, October 11, 2023 – Saturday, October 14, 2023
Bethel, Missouri

Adult fiddle camp allows fiddlers age 18 and over to study with master fiddlers to learn new tunes, build a network of fiddler friends, and/or perfect technique. For more information or to register, contact Wendy Brumbaugh at 573-822-9498 or John Williams.

Missouri’s Fiddle Heritage: A Concert with Geoffrey Seitz

Thursday, November 17, 2022 • 6:30pm (happy hour at 5:30pm)
Missouri History Museum in St. Louis

Join violinmaker and award-winning fiddler Geoffrey Seitz at the Missouri History Museum for a concert celebrating Missouri’s long fiddle tradition. From the early French settlers along the Mississippi River to the British and Scotch Irish in the Ozarks to Native American and African American musicians, the fiddle has been at the root of the state’s musical culture, and countless songs have been handed down through generations. Seitz, with accompaniment by Jim Nelson and Dedo Norris, will share classic fiddle tunes and demonstrate the different regional styles that comprise Missouri’s fiddle heritage.

For more information, contact Emily Underwood via email or call 314-494-2674.

Missouri Music Lunchtime Concert Series – John Williams and Robert Mackey

Thursday, October 6, 2022 • 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Center for Missouri Studies, 605 Elm Street, Columbia, MO 65201, Hirsch Plaza, adjacent to north entrance of building by SHSMO parking lot

The State Historical Society of Missouri is kicking off a new music series with fiddle tunes from some of Missouri’s finest.
The music will feature a champion fiddler, John Williams, of Madison, and John’s guitar accompanist will be Robert Mackey, of Tebbetts. Williams has been in the Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program (as a pupil, and now as a master teacher).Howard Marshall will emcee, and is likely to chime in with a fiddle tune or two.

You can bring your lunch or purchase lunch from the center’s Fresh Harvest Grill. This is a “Missouri Music” series presentation co-sponsored by the University of Missouri’s School of Music (Budds Center for American Music), Missouri Folk Arts Program, and The State Historical Society of Missouri. Read more on SHSMO’s site. Parking is available in the Center’s parking lot.

Adult Fiddle Camp in Bethel, Missouri

Wednesday, October 12, 2022 – Saturday, October 15, 2022
Bethel, Missouri

Poster showing adult fiddle camp dates.Adult fiddle camp allows fiddlers age 18 and over to study with master fiddlers to learn new tunes, build a network of fiddler friends, and/or perfect technique. For more information or to register, contact Wendy Brumbaugh at 573-822-9498 or John Williams.