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Bluegrass Classes

Let the Old Town School help you start playing a truly American style of music.

The Old Town School is proud to be the home of the largest and most cohesive bluegrass program in the city. Our staff of incredible bluegrass musicians will take your playing to the next level!

Be sure to read the class descriptions to see the needed level of proficiency on your instrument of choice.

Introduction to the Banjo

Beginner

Wednesday or Thursday with Chris Walz or Frank Hamilton

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

For anyone attracted to the 5-string banjo but not sure which style to try first, this is for you!

Location: Lincoln Park - Armitage Ave or Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Bluegrass Banjo 1

Beginner

Thursday with Chris Walz

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

The first of five classes in the Bluegrass Banjo series that will take you through the techniques needed to play in a bluegrass style.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Bluegrass Banjo 1 Repertoire

Beginner

Wednesday with Laird Patten

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Now you've got some chords, right hand rolls, and tunes under your fingers, Bluegrass Banjo 1 Repertoire will teach tunes that will strengthen your bluegrass skills.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Bluegrass Banjo 2

Intermediate

Tuesday with Chris Walz

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Pick up some advanced rolls and tunes, as well as rhythm and back-up playing.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Bluegrass Banjo 2 Repertoire

Intermediate

Thursday with Chris Walz

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Master advanced songs and build up the skills you have learned since Bluegrass Banjo 1.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Bluegrass Banjo 3

Intermediate

If you would like to be contacted when this class runs again, please email Program Manager John Huber with your contact information.

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Banjo 2

Intermediate

Monday with Joshua Guy

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Banjo 3

Intermediate

Monday with Joshua Guy

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Two-Finger Banjo 1

Beginner

If you would like to be contacted when this class runs again, please email Program Manager John Huber with your contact information.

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Bluegrass Banjo 4: Earl Scruggs New Treasures

Intermediate

If you would like to be contacted when this class runs again, please email Program Manager John Huber with your contact information.

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

New Americana Ensemble

Intermediate

Monday with Alton Smith

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Hey Ho and all points in between

Location: Lincoln Park - Armitage Ave

Bluegrass Ensemble

Intermediate

Monday with Colby Maddox or John Huber

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $264 ($244 members)

dig into one of the great American music genres.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Vintage Country Ensemble

Intermediate

Vintage Country Ensemble will return Session 6

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $264 ($244 members)

Folk Songs: Carrying History Forward

Intermediate

Thursday with Peggy Browning

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

A fun and rewarding ensemble class for all levels of player

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Monday Night Special

Intermediate

Monday with Mark Mitchell or Peggy Browning

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $264 ($244 members)

Let it Shine on you

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

String Band Ensemble

Intermediate

Wednesday with Colby Maddox or Dan Mulvihill

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $264 ($244 members)

Come join the band

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Introduction to the Violin/Fiddle

Beginner

Wednesday, Thursday or Sunday with Jordan Wankoff or Sean Colledge

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Get comfortable with the violin, even if you've never played a string instrument before!

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Fiddle 1

Beginner

Monday with Colby Maddox or Sean Colledge

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Begin with the basics of fiddling and learn to play simple tunes in no time.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Fiddle 1 Repertoire

Beginner

If you would like to be contacted when this class runs again, please email Program Manager John Huber with your contact information.

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Fiddle 2

Intermediate

Monday with Sean Colledge

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

In Fiddle 2, you'll really start feeling the rhythm that defines the fiddle.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Fiddle 2 Repertoire

Intermediate

Monday with Sean Colledge

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Fiddle 2 Repertoire is the next step to Fiddle 3. Practice correct bowing, scale knowledge, and other Fiddle 2 skills.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Fiddle 3

Intermediate

Tuesday, Thursday or Sunday with Colby Maddox, Jordan Wankoff or Sean Colledge

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Fiddle 3 is a good place to start for intermediate fiddlers or advanced classical violinists.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Heroes of Flatpicking

Intermediate

If you would like to be contacted when this class runs again, please email Program Manager Eric Singh with your contact information.

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Flatpicking 1 - Rhythm

Intermediate

If you would like to be contacted when this class runs again, please email Program Manager Eric Singh with your contact information.

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Flatpicking 2 - Technique

Intermediate

Tuesday with Chris Walz

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Let's get melodic

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Introduction to the Mandolin

Beginner

Tuesday with Frank Hamilton

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

If you love the sound of a mandolin but have never played a stringed instrument before, this class if for you.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Mandolin 1

Beginner

Tuesday with Frank Hamilton

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Learn Mandolin fundamentals like left hand fretting, using a pick, and basic chords and melodies.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Mandolin 1 Repertoire

Beginner

If you would like to be contacted when this class runs again, please email Program Manager John Huber with your contact information.

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Mandolin 2

Intermediate

Monday with Colin Cosgrove

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Mandolin 2 Repertoire

Intermediate

If you would like to be contacted when this class runs again, please email Program Manager John Huber with your contact information.

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Mandolin 3

Intermediate

Monday with Colin Cosgrove

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Custom Lesson with Greg Cahill

WorkshopOpen to All

Monday with Greg Cahill

60 minutes  ·  Once a week for 1 week  ·  $95 ($93 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus