The greater Washington, D.C. area is home to some of the finest musicians and bands in bluegrass and old-time music. The region has been a hotbed of talent and creativity for more than sixty years and has birthed such major acts as the Stonemans, Reno and Smiley, Emmy Lou Harris, Hazel Dickens, Ola Belle Reed, Mike Seeger, the Country Gentlemen, the Johnson Mountain Boys, the Seldom Scene and many others. Mindful of that tradition, the D.C. Bluegrass Union joins with Common Ground on the Hill to present a week of instrumental, band and vocal classes taught by some of Washington’s best performers and teachers—plus some very special additions. We welcome beginning to advanced players of all ages to an unparalleled week of learning, jamming, singing, concerts and bluegrass/old-time camaraderie. Parents, bring your kids and enroll them in World Village while you play music! Create your own schedule including art, music dance and lecture classes.
Since 2007, the DCBU Bluegrass & Old-Time Camp has presented a top flight teaching staff who offer five separate class periods of instruction every day, Monday - Friday, with classes primarily in Traditions Week 2 (July 2-7) unless otherwise noted. The bluegrass and old-time curriculum reflects the reality that both musical styles are historically and currently interrelated in a profound way, and offers campers the rare opportunity to learn from both idioms.
We encourage you to attend the Common Ground on the Hill Roots Music & Arts Festival on Saturday, July 13, 2024, this year located on the air-conditioned campus of McDaniel College! Don't miss this all star collection of bluegrass and old-time greats! Full staff info coming soon!!
Wake up Monday morning and dive into your classes and enjoy evening concerts for five days and nights! This year's program is all virtual, so you can pick and choose classes during the day and across the weeks to match your schedule!
