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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

Monday or Wednesday with Chris Walz or Joshua Guy

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 Square - Lincoln Ave Campus or Lincoln Park - Armitage Ave

Bluegrass Banjo 1

Beginner

Thursday with Staff

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

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 2

Intermediate

Wednesday with Laird Patten

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

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 3

Intermediate

Tuesday with Chris Walz

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

Put all the pieces together - the right hand rolls and changing them inside of one measure, back up and fill in licks, and vamping positions with chops and rolls.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

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

Bluegrass Banjo 4: Earl Scruggs New Treasures

Intermediate

Thursday with Chris Walz

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

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

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

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

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

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

Let it Shine on you

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

The Johnny Cash Ensemble

IntermediateNew!

Monday with Albert Martinez

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

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Introduction to the Violin/Fiddle

Beginner

Saturday 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

Tuesday, Saturday or Sunday with Colby Maddox, Jordan Wankoff 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

Thursday with Sean Colledge

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

This class is the next step between Fiddle 1 and 2. Students get to practice techniques such as rhythm, scale knowledge and other Fiddle 1 skills.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Fiddle 2

Intermediate

Thursday or Saturday 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

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 3

Intermediate

Tuesday or Thursday with Steve Rosen 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: Online or Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Heroes of Flatpicking

Intermediate

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

Flatpicking 1 - Rhythm

Intermediate

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

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

Blues on the Mandolin

Intermediate

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

Mandolin 1

Beginner

Saturday 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

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 Repertoire

Intermediate

Wednesday with Colby Maddox

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

Take Mandolin 2 Repertoire to polish your skills, learn more songs from a variety of traditions and begin learning how to arrange and improvise.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Mandolin 3

Intermediate

Monday with Colby Maddox

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

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus