Spooky Singalong at 4544 LincolnSat, Oct 28th | 10:30 AM
8-Week Classes: October 30 - December 23
Registration is Open Now! »
8-Week Classes: January 9 - March 5
Continuing student registration opens on December 8 »
Gift Certificates · Financial Aid · Class Policies
8-Week Classes: October 30 - December 23
Registration is Open Now! »
8-Week Classes: October 30 - December 23
Registration is Open Now! »
Gift Certificates · Financial Aid · Policies · Resource Center
Monday - Thursday 10:30 AM - 8:30 PM
Friday - Sunday 10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
4544 N. Lincoln Avenue: 773.751.3398
909 W. Armitage Avenue: 773.525.1506
Celebrating the rich variety of our musical community - jump on in!
Let the Old Town School help you start playing a truly American style 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 | Banjo | Group ClassBeginner 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $196 ($186 members) Tuesday or Thursday with Jonas Friddle or Matt Brown For anyone attracted to the 5-string banjo but not sure which style to try first, this is for you! Grouped with: Bluegrass · Country & Traditional · Old Time · Folk · Clawhammer | |
| 21st Century Banjo Repertoire | Banjo | Group ClassAdvanced 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $196 ($186 members) Tuesday with Matt Brown Learn to play some of your favorite contemporary songs on the banjo! Grouped with: Bluegrass · Clawhammer · Artist Specific · Two-Finger | |
| Bluegrass Banjo 1 | Banjo | Group ClassBeginner 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $196 ($186 members) Thursday with Chris Walz The first of five classes in the Bluegrass Banjo series that will take you through the techniques needed to play in a bluegrass style. Grouped with: Bluegrass · Country & Traditional | |
| Bluegrass Banjo 1 Repertoire | Banjo | Group ClassBeginner 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $196 ($186 members) Tuesday with Dave Bragman 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. Grouped with: Bluegrass · Country & Traditional | |
| Bluegrass Banjo 2 | Banjo | Group ClassIntermediate 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $196 ($186 members) Thursday with Chris Walz Pick up some advanced rolls and tunes, as well as rhythm and back-up playing. Grouped with: Bluegrass · Country & Traditional | |
| Bluegrass Banjo 2 Repertoire | Banjo | Group ClassIntermediate 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $196 ($186 members) If you would like to be contacted when this class runs again, please email Program Manager Ian Wilson with your contact information. Grouped with: Bluegrass · Country & Traditional | |
| Bluegrass Banjo 3 | Banjo | Group ClassIntermediate 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $196 ($186 members) Thursday with Chris Walz 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. Grouped with: Bluegrass · Country & Traditional | |
| Bluegrass Banjo 4 - Earl Scruggs | Banjo | Group ClassAdvanced 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $196 ($186 members) If you would like to be contacted when this class runs again, please email Program Manager Ian Wilson with your contact information. Grouped with: Bluegrass · Country & Traditional · Artist Specific | |
| New Americana Ensemble | Ensemble | Group ClassIntermediate 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $200 ($190 members) Monday with Alton Smith Hey Ho and all points in between Grouped with: Bluegrass · Pop & Rock · Country & Traditional · Artist Specific | |
| Bluegrass Ensemble | Ensemble | Group ClassIntermediate 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $216 ($206 members) Monday with Colby Maddox or John Huber Grouped with: Bluegrass · Country & Traditional | |
| Folk Songs: Carrying History Forward | Ensemble | Group ClassIntermediate 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $200 ($190 members) Thursday with Peggy Browning A fun and rewarding ensemble class for all levels of player Grouped with: Bluegrass · Country & Traditional · Folk | |
| Vintage Country Ensemble | Ensemble | Group ClassIntermediate 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $200 ($190 members) Wednesday with Gail Tyler or Paul Tyler Grouped with: Bluegrass · Country & Traditional · Old Time | |
| Fiddle 2 Repertoire | Fiddle & Cello | Group ClassIntermediate 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $196 ($186 members) Tuesday with Paul Tyler Fiddle 2 Repertoire is the next step to Fiddle 3. Practice correct bowing, scale knowledge, and other Fiddle 2 skills. Grouped with: Bluegrass · Country & Traditional · Old Time | |
| Four-Stringed Improvisation - Fiddle and Mandolin | Fiddle & Cello | Group ClassAdvanced 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $196 ($186 members) If you would like to be contacted when this class runs again, please email Program Manager Ian Wilson with your contact information. Grouped with: Bluegrass | |
| Flatpicking 1 - Rhythm | Guitar | Group ClassIntermediate 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $196 ($186 members) This class alternates with Flatpicking 2 If you would like to be contacted when this class runs again, please email Guitar Program Manager Jimmy Tomasello with your contact information. Grouped with: Bluegrass · Musicianship · Country & Traditional | |
| Flatpicking 2 - Technique | Guitar | Group ClassIntermediate 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $196 ($186 members) Tuesday with Chris Walz Let's get melodic Grouped with: Bluegrass · Musicianship · Country & Traditional | |
| Flatpicking 3 - Repertoire | Guitar | Group ClassAdvanced 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $196 ($186 members) Tuesday with Chris Walz Let's develop soloing skills. SESSION 5 - CROSSPICKING Grouped with: Bluegrass · Musicianship · Country & Traditional | |
| Introduction to the Mandolin | Mandolin | Group ClassBeginner 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $196 ($186 members) Monday with Colby Maddox If you love the sound of a mandolin but have never played a stringed instrument before, this class if for you. Grouped with: Bluegrass · Celtic · Country & Traditional · Old Time | |
| Mandolin 1 | Mandolin | Group ClassBeginner 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $196 ($186 members) Wednesday with Colby Maddox Learn Mandolin fundamentals like left hand fretting, using a pick, and basic chords and melodies. Grouped with: Bluegrass · Celtic · Country & Traditional · Old Time | |
| Mandolin 1 Repertoire | Mandolin | Group ClassBeginner 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $196 ($186 members) Tuesday with Colby Maddox Take Mandolin 1 Repertoire if you have experience with a stringed instrument and you are comfortable learning melodies by ear and with tablature. Grouped with: Bluegrass · Celtic · Country & Traditional · Old Time | |
| Mandolin 2 | Mandolin | Group ClassIntermediate 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $196 ($186 members) Wednesday with Colby Maddox Take Mandolin 2 to learn more challenging tunes and songs from a variety of traditions by ear and with tablature. Grouped with: Bluegrass · Celtic · Country & Traditional · Old Time | |
| Mandolin 2 Repertoire | Mandolin | Group ClassIntermediate 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $196 ($186 members) If you would like to be contacted when this class runs again, please email Program Manager Ian Wilson with your contact information. Grouped with: Bluegrass · Celtic · Country & Traditional · Old Time |
The Old Town School of Folk Music, Inc.
4544 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago IL 60625 • 773.728.6000
