The 19th annual Bear on the Square Mountain Festival, scheduled in Dahlonega the third weekend in April, once again has a lineup of Master Classes with instruction in playing stringed instruments.
The Master Classes for the 2015 festival will be held Sunday, April 19, in the Historic Vickery House, home of the Appalachian Studies Center at the University of North Georgia. Joe Matteson, who is coordinating the classes, said, "The Master Classes are taught by some of this area's top professional musicians and instructors who bring with them a wealth of knowledge and experience that they will share with their students. From these very intensive, concise and hands-on classes, students will come away with new skills and knowledge that they can instantly use in their own playing." All of this year's classes are at the advanced beginner/intermediate skill level. The Vickery House is located on West Main St., just two blocks south of the Gold Museum, which is on Dahlonega's Public Square.
All of this year's Master Classes will begin at 12:45 p.m. and will last until 2:45 p.m., and the list of classes and instructors includes:
Old-Time Fiddle with John Grimm;
Tony Rice Bluegrass Guitar with Curtis Jones;
Old-Time Clawhammer Banjo with Tom Ryan; and
Old-Time Rhythm Guitar with Pat Shields.
The Master Classes sessions are being supported through sponsorships from the University of North Georgia and the SouthEastern Bluegrass Association.
Class size is limited, and early registration is recommended to ensure a spot. Details and registration are online or you may contact Mr. Matteson at 706-319-2045 or matteson@windstream.net for more information. The class prices are $20 per class. For an additional $10, students can purchase or renew a SEBA electronic membership and receive the organization's monthly newsletter, The SEBA Breakdown. This is 33 percent off the regular price of this membership. See more about the Master Class sessions, including class descriptions, instructor backgrounds, and registration information at www.bearonthesquare.org.
Each year, Dahlonega's Bear on the Square Festival produces the celebration of the culture of the Southern Appalachians through the presentation of music, traditional craft and folkways. Held in and around Dahlonega's Historic Public Square, the 2015 festival will get underway with pre-event activities starting around mid-day on Friday, April 17. Early-arriving local and visiting pickers will begin the popular jamming on the square, which will go on all weekend. The other Friday event will be the Live and Silent Country Auction that night in the MainStage Tent. A juried Artists Marketplace on Saturday and Sunday features traditional mountain crafts and artist demonstrations. Other highlights of the event include MainStage musical performances by old-time and bluegrass performers, an expanded storytelling program, more jamming on the square, kids' activities, and free music workshops/demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday; an Acoustic Open Mic event, Old-Time Mountain Dance, and John C. Campbell Folk School dance team demonstrations on Saturday; and a Gospel Jam and Master Music Classes on Sunday. For more details about the festival, including the complete lineup of performers and artists, schedules, event locations, and updates between now and the event, look on the website.