Photo by George Martin
What’s new for 2009
Just added—two elective classes on Monday afternoon with oldtime musicians Geff and Masha Crawford, who will also be leading an oldtime jam Monday night:
Old-Time fiddle and banjo tunes—Geff and Masha Crawford--The core sound of 
old-time music is the intertwining of the fiddle with the clawhammer banjo. We will learn a standard old-time jam tune, then split up so Geff can work with the fiddlers, Masha with the banjos, then we'll come together to play together. We'll discuss the difference between old-time jams and bluegrass, practice learning tunes by ear, learn to hear & play the "skeleton" of the tune, how & when to add more details / ornaments, and how improvisation and tradition blend. This workshop will focus on old-time fiddle and clawhammer banjo, though it’s open to all instruments.
Masha Goodman Crawford has been playing Old-Time banjo, Irish tinwhistle, singing and flatfoot clogging since the late 1970's. One of the original founders of the Chicago Barn Dance Company, she has performed & taught at the University of Chicago Folk Festival, Wheatlands Folk Festival, Eastbourne Folk Festival, Cheddar Folk Festival, and many more across the US and in Europe. She toured for 7 years with the "Winter Night's Yeow", and is a regular performer at the Strawberry Music Festival.
Geff Crawford has been playing Old-Time fiddle for over 30 years, and banjo, guitar, ukulele & mandolin, too. He has performed solo several times at the Strawberry Music Festival, does school programs and assemblies (he taught kindergarten for 32 years!), teaches fiddle, plays for contra dances, and writes some very funny songs. He hosts an Old-Time radio show on KFOK, and writes the "Old-Time Rambler" column for the CBA website.
Geff & Masha have studied & played with such masters as Melvin Wine, Dave Bing, Reyna Gellert, Charlie Acuff, Bruce Molsky, John Hartford, Mike Seeger, Peggy Seeger, Walt Koken and others. They recently opened for Bruce Molsky, and performed with Tom Paley. Masha & Geff perform together in the band "Orange Possum Special", the Irish band "O'Cult", and as a duo called "Old Soles".
www.OldSolesMusic.com
A comment from one of last year's CBA music campers: "The jam was great, especially all the welcoming and advice you and Geff gave us....I loved the Contra Dance ... the music... gave me a feel of what oldtime is.... Thank you for initiating me into this "Old Time" new world!"
Music Camp discount not combinable with Early Bird discount this year: We can offer you an early bird discount OR a music camp discount for your 4-day festival pass, but not both this year—sorry!
Costs: Due to rising costs across the board, tuition is up $10 this year; meals also up $10 ($280 and $90, respectively). Camping costs are same as last year, and scholarship assistance is available as always for those who need it.
T-shirts: Karen Bell has once again created a beautiful T-shirt design—this year’s design was based on a photo of Missy Raines from when she was teaching at camp. There are two choices: women’s style in salmon, or men’s style in tan—see photos. Both are available in five sizes: small, medium, large, extra-large, or XX (XX costs a little Xtra). Order when you register for camp—you’ll have a great new shirt to wear, and proceeds benefit your music camp!
Cats: In response to requests to loosen the no-pets policy, cats are now allowed on site, provided they remain contained in your RV.
Jamming 101 and 102 with Sid Lewis: Sid Lewis will be back and expanding his program. In addition to his very popular Jamming 101 class (which will be offered some afternoons as well as evenings this year) he will also be offering some Jamming 102 classes during elective hours. For more information on this program, check out www.jamming101.com.
New guitar class: For the first time, we are offering a level 3 guitar class with a focus on crosspicking, taught by Kathy Barwick. Kathy’s class will also discuss the fretboard and how to find your way around it. For more information, see the Instructors page.
Staff: New teachers this year: Roland White, level 1 mandolin;. Richard Bailey from the Steeldrivers, level 3 bluegrass banjo; Bill Amatneek, level 2 bass; Tim Hicks, level 1 oldtime banjo;. Mark Schatz from the Claire Lynch Band, level 2 oldtime banjo; also from Claire’s band, Jason Thomas, level 3 bluegrass mandolin, and Lisa Berman from the Stairwell Sisters, level 1 dobro.
Teachers returning after one or more years’ absence: Claire Lynch, level 1 vocals; Paul Shelasky, level 2 bluegrass fiddle; Chris Stuart, level 1 guitar; Janet Beazley from the Chris Stuart Band, level 2 bluegrass banjo; Kathy Barwick, level 3 crosspicking guitar.
Continuing teachers who were at camp last year, but are teaching different classes this year:
Brad Leftwich, level 2 oldtime fiddle; Ivan Rosenberg, level 2 dobro; Keith Little, level 2 vocals;
Bill Evans, level 1 bluegrass banjo;. Jack Tuttle, level 1 fiddle, and John Reischman, level 2 oldtime mandolin.
Last, but absolutely not least, continuing teachers who are teaching the same classes as last year: Jim Nunally, level 2 rhythm guitar, and Lisa Burns, level 1 bass.
Looks like another stellar staff at the CBA Music Camp!
