PACOLET JUNIOR APPALACHIAN MUSICIANS
Fall Semester
2020
September 15 - October 21
The 2020 Fall semester of PacJAM classes includes 6 consecutive weeks of group lessons for children ages 6 and up in traditional music on the instrument of their choice, plus folk singing, dance and storytelling. Ages 8 and up receive instruction in either guitar, banjo, mandolin, or fiddle, while ages 6 & 7 study ukulele.
Tuition is only $90 per semester, with rental instruments available for an additional $50 per semester.
For information on scholarship availability, please contact Julie Moore, Program Director
Due to safety concerns for our students and community regarding Covid-19, we have re-designed the program to accommodate NC Mandates and CDC safety protocol for the Fall Semester.
All classes are planned for outside. In the event of inclement weather, classes will move indoors.
PacJAM provides an opportunity for area youth to experience community through the joy of participating in traditional music.
Local students and their teachers are taking their part in a multi-state regional effort to preserve the music of the Appalachian cultural heritage, filling the air with guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle and ukulele music each week. In addition to instrument instruction, students learn local music history and theory, ear training, dance, folklore, and rhythm development.
Now in its 7th year, PacJAM offers sessions each fall and winter/spring semester, as well as an intensive day camp one week each summer. Students of all skill levels ages 6-14 years old, as well as adults, are invited to join us for instruction in traditional music.
Instructors in Fall 2020 include: Gaye Johnson, Amy & Bob Buckingham & Woody Cowan.
For questions or additional assistance, please email Julie Moore, Program Director or call 828-859-8322.
CLASSES OFFERED
Youth Classes
TUESDAYS: BEGINNING YOUTH
Teachers: Woody Cowan & Gaye Johnson
4-4:45 youth will study ukulele with Woody or Guitar with Gaye. If there is a demand for beginning fiddle or mandolin, we will also offer them.
4:45-5:30 - group jam in the amphitheater, led by Woody and Gaye. Students will be led in the fine art of working together as musicians. Jams will be interspersed with Woody and Gaye's famous storytelling.
WEDNESDAYS: INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED YOUTH
Teachers: Bob & Amy Buckingham
4-4:45 Group Instrument Class: Mandolin/Fiddle with Amy; Guitar (& if needed, claw hammer) with Bob; 3-finger banjo &/or washboard with Phil Jenkins. **In order to serve all students so that they may excel in their practice sessions, intermediate & advanced versions of songs will be on our youtube channel.
4:45-5:30 - Bands: Students will work in Bob's band, or in Amy and Phil's band, to learn to play as a team, support their fellow musician, and solo. Especially for Amy and Bob's band, students will be expected to learn the required songs at home so that band can focus on PERFORMING and ARRANGING songs. We are excited to find ways to get our bands back in the community!
Adult Classes
TUESDAYS:
BEGINNING ADULTS will be led by Woody Cowan and Gaye Johnson, from 2:15-3:30. This jam-style class will focus on ukulele and guitar, and can be supported with online supplemental lessons created by Gaye and Woody just for this class. This class will have a rock/ Americana feel.
WEDNESDAYS:
ADVANCED ADULTS will be led by Bob and Amy Buckingham, from 2:15-3:30. This jam-style class will incorporate instruction on fiddle, guitar, mandolin, and claw hammer banjo, and will be supported with online supplemental lessons created by Bob and Amy just for this class. Student input at the semesters' start will help form the "play list" for this jam.
LEARN MORE ABOUT PACJAM
Building Community One Tune at a Time
