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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 Joshua Guy or Laird Patten

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

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

Tuesday with Chris Walz

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

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 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

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

IntermediateNew!

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

Banjo 3

IntermediateNew!

Monday with Joshua Guy

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $228 ($208 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Bluegrass Banjo 4: Earl Scruggs New Treasures

Intermediate

Wednesday with Chris Walz

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

Location: Lincoln Park - Armitage Ave

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

Thursday with Colby Maddox

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

Wednesday with Paul Tyler

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

Let's play the good old good ones

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

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

Introduction to the Violin/Fiddle

Beginner

Wednesday or Saturday with Colby Maddox 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

Saturday with 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 or Saturday 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

Tuesday with Colby Maddox

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: Online

Fiddle 2 Repertoire

Intermediate

Thursday or Sunday with Jordan Wankoff or 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, Wednesday, Thursday or Sunday with Colby Maddox, Steve Rosen, 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: 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

Thursday with Colby Maddox

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 Colby Maddox

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

Take Mandolin 2 to learn more challenging tunes and songs from a variety of traditions by ear and with tablature.

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

Tuesday with Colby Maddox

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

Location: Online