We are happy to announce that the previously out-of-print CCMMS 2001 Faculty Concert CD, the first music school concert featuring Art Stamper, Dirk Powell & Chritine Balfa, Lee Sexton, Jesse Wells and many of your favorite CCMMS faculty, is now available for digital download through JuneAppal Records! As with all CCMMS CDs, the proceeds from these digital sales will go to support CCMMS Youth Scholarships!  Tell your family & friends, and click here to check it out: JuneAppal website.

Cowan Creek Mountain Music School will be putting on a entire day of events in Lexington, Kentucky on Saturday, May 24th.  Friends, faculty & CCMMS staff will be getting together to play music, spread the word about CCMMS 08, recruit new students and raise a little money for the CCMMS Youth Scholarship Fund.  There’s something scheduled for everyone!  The first event will be held at the Mission House, 203 E. Fourth Street, from 2-5pm. Weather permitting, there will be an outdoor concert & square dance and jamming on the grounds with Randy Wilson calling and music by folks from Clack Mountain String Band, the CCMMS Youth Band, John Harrod, John Haywood, Donavan Cain and many more.  Suggested minimum donation of $10.  Bring friends, family members, neighbors & musical instruments. Meet up with old friends, make new friends, learn about CCMMS and get signed up for CCMMS 08! Following the Mission House event, folks of all ages are welcome to gather at Al’s Bar, 6th & Limestone, from 6pm-8pm, for an Old Time Jam. It’s also a GREAT place to grab a bite to eat!  Those wanting to get into a little nightlife are invited to a CCMMS Benefit show at Al’s Bar, starting at 8pm. Featured performers are the Clack Mountain String Band, Ponty’s Camper and friends of CCMMS.  $5 at the door, with all proceeds going to the CCMMS Youth Scholarship Fund. Tell everyone you know & make plans to join us on May 24th!  Hope to see you soon!  

Youth from Letcher County & across the state performed for the Kentucky State Legislature on Tuesday, February 5th.  They opened the House’s legislatuve session by performing “Angelina Baker” and “Fly Around My Pretty Lil’ Miss.”  Several Representatives got up and danced, and the young musicians were given a standing ovation and presented with certificates.  Below are photos of the group performing and of the Letcher County Pick & Bow students with their certificates.  WMMT-FM ran a story about the trip, which can be listened to on-line: http://www.appalshop.org/ccc/?p=88

The Cowan Community Action Group, Inc. is pleased to again present the annual CCMMS. This has been a year of transition, as one of the school’s major players, Nell Fields, has left the Cowan Community Center for new employment. She has been replaced with Carol Ison, who was one of the co-founders of the music school. While the year has been one of adjustment, we hope the school will be just as successful as in previous years. Suzanne Savell has assumed the role of Arts Program Coordinator and has done an excellent job in helping those efforts. We hope your experience with us this year will make you want to come back.

Thanks,
Carol Ison

Cowan Creek
Mountain Music School

The Cowan Creek Mountain Music School will bring together some of this country’s finest old time musicians along with students of all levels, to enjoy a week of learning and fun. Join us as we share and celebrate our rich mountain heritage of lively tunes, heart-felt singing, spirited square dancing and storytelling. Whether an absolute beginner or an advanced musician, all students will have an opportunity to improve their playing, dig deeper into the rich repertoire of Kentucky music and gain experience playing with other musicians.

Historically, mountain music has been passed down through the generations as young learners listened to and played along with their older family members and neighbors. In keeping with this tradition, all classes at the Cowan Creek Mountain Music School are taught by call and response rather than written music or tab. Whatever your level, this will improve your ear for music and help you join in the fun of playing with other musicians right from the get-go.

In addition to classroom instruction, students will enjoy classroom visits and performances by masters of traditional music Lee Sexton and Rich Kirby and our first master-in-residence Paul Smith. In the afternoon, students can choose between a beginner’s slow jam and informal string band workshops led by school instructors. Following the jams, there will be a variety of options for afternoon workshops, including a master class with Paul Smith, ballad singing, clogging, dulcimer and more. Each evening, students, instructors, and neighbors will gather for square dancing and fellowship, and all students will have an opportunity to be part of the dance band. Jam sessions and open-mic nights at the Summit City Coffeehouse in downtown Whitesburg will offer more opportunities for music making.

On Thursday evening Paul Smith and the school’s talented faculty will perform at the Appalshop in Whitesburg, Kentucky. And the week wraps up on Friday with a community potluck, student recital and square dance hosted by the Cowan Community Center.