June 21-June 25, 2010

The 9th annual 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. The school will offer courses in banjo (four levels), fiddle five levels), beginning and lead guitar, old time string band, singing,  Kids on the Creek, an arts and music class for kids ages 5 to 10 led by Carla Gover and Kelli Haywood.

The faculty will include fiddlers Roger Cooper, Michael Garvin, Anna Roberts-Gevalt, Bruce Greene, and Jamie Wells,  and new this year Barb Kuhns; banjoists Jimmy McCown,  Jesse Wells, Randy Wilson, and Sarah Wood; String Band faculty will include, John Harrod, Karly Higgins, and Brett Ratliff.; Harmony singing faculty: Donavan Cain and Sarah Howard and let us not forget our “pickers”  Don Rogers and new on staff this year, Ron Howard.  Students will also be treated to in-class visits and performances by masters of traditional music Lee Sexton and Roy Tackett. Lee Sexton will also serve as  master-in-residence.   In the afternoon, students can take part in jam sessions for all levels or a singers circle.  Then students have a choice of afternoon workshops in clogging, dulcimer playing, singing and more. Each evening the faculty and students will gather for square dancing or a faculty concert.

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 the 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.

The school is open to students ages 11 and older & adults.  Tuition is $150 for Kentucky residents and $200 for out-of-state students.  A limited number of youth scholarships are available for Kentucky students.  Class size is limited to 10, so early registration is encouraged.  The Cowan Creek Mountain Music School is produced by the Cowan Community Center and hosted by the Cowan Elementary School with support from the the Kentucky Arts Council, Appalshop and the Letcher County Board of Education.  For a brochure, contact  Stacy Dollarhide, Cowan Community Center, 81 Sturgill Branch, Whitesburg, KY 41858 (606) 633-3187 or cowancreekmusic@tvscable.com.