Welcome To Metro Banjo:
The NY Metropolitan Area "train-friendly" Five-String Banjo Event
Can't reach New York's subway or transit lines? No Problem!
Metro Banjo can be accessed from anywhere in North America via Amtrak!
Times & pricing:
- Dates: Friday July 30, Saturday July 31 & Sunday August 1, 2010.
- Doors open at 8:30 am daily.
- 3-day Full Clinic Resident price is $575.00.
- 3-day Commuter Rate with meals is $495.00
- Single Commuter days with meals: Friday @ $225.00, Saturday @ $250.00 & Sunday @ $75.00
- Click "More Information" for separate lodging fees, guest room and board rates, and (10) NYC sightseeing links.
- Payment terms: Cash or check.
- Register Now
Class information:
- Classes are offered in Scruggs, Old Time/ Clawhammer, and Melodic-style banjo.
- Instructional sessions range from one hour and fifteen minutes to an hour and a half each.
Class schedule - The Friday night Banjo Concert and jams last into the evening.
- There will be a Saturday night concert in Concordia's performance hall featuring Bill Keith's band: "The Saturday Night Bluegrass Band." Besides enjoying a night filled with great music, expect a few of the banjo instructors to join in for some memorable tunes pushed hard into Banjo Overdrive.
The Saturday Night Bluegrass Band website - What will you need? Bring a 5-string banjo, picks, capo, strings, a wire music stand, writing material, and a lot of questions.
(We highly recommend electronic tuners.) - Depending on schedule, private lessons will again be available both days with the instructor of your choice.
- You are free to record and/ or video your clinic classes.
Levels of instruction:
- Novice: Start from the ground up. No experience.
- Beginner: Limited experience. May know a few tunes, primary chords, and rolls.
- Intermediate: Experienced. Possibly in a band, can jam, understands the basics. Seeks more consistent sound and timing. May have trouble finding the melody.
- Advanced: Serious players. Can play up to speed without sacrificing technique, tone, or clarity. Ready for new ideas and an individual style. Seeking a professional sound.
Our instructors
Why Metro Banjo? Well, for one, we wanted to provide the greater New York area with a premier, multi-day, five-string banjo event - and we wanted it accessible via subway and rail. We also wanted to provide a banjo-driven "mini-vacation," for players, a short distance from the asphalt of New York City. So we looked north to Concordia College, in Westchester County. Concordia provides a tranquil setting, perfect for learning Bluegrass & Old Time Banjo. Though Concordia is minutes from Manhattan, it's an easy drive for those traveling via car. And here's the neat part; students from anywhere in North America can reach Metro Banjo via Amtrak. By design, Metro Banjo is central to five railroad stations (including Grand Central.) Amtrak stations exist at Yonkers, New Rochelle, and Croton-on-Hudson - all within minutes of Metro Banjo. Amtrak also connects at New York's Pennsylvania Station. From Penn, it is a quick subway and Metro North rail trip to Bronxville. Directions Once you arrive, we'll pick you up at the train station. We'll also drop you off to meet your departure time. It's all part of Metro Banjo.
As we respond to all email clinic inquiries, if you email us and do not receive a response, please call. Thank you.
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