The third annual Mt. Morris Bluegrass Jam Camp will be held August 22 through 24 at the picturesque Mt. Morris Camp and Conference Center near Wautoma, Wisconsin. This adult-oriented music camp offers three days of instruction for beginner to intermediate pickers on banjo, mandolin, guitar, fiddle, and bass. Class size is limited to ten students per instrument for more individualized attention.

This year’s camp is being hosted by the Tangled Roots Bluegrass Band from Minnesota and joined by fiddle virtuoso, Brian Wicklund. For those of you who braved the storm at the Brooklyn Bluegrass Festival in early June, Tangled Roots created their own version of bluegrass thunder on stage that evening. Students at Mt. Morris are in for a real treat this year, having the opportunity to meet and learn from such talented musicians! Highlight of the weekend at Mt. Morris Jam Camp will be a public performance by Tangled Roots with Brian Wicklund Saturday evening.

There’s also the student band recital on Sunday at the close of camp. During group instruction everyone works on the same songs and learns their respective part. Then the instructors divide up the students into small jam bands. People get creative, coming up with an appropriate name for their band (e.g. “Flew the Coop” performing “I’ll Fly Away”). Like magic everything seems to come together and you’re actually playing in a band! If you ever wondered what it would be like, to get up on stage and perform in front of a live audience, here’s your chance! And you don’t have to worry about Paula, Randy, and Simon. It’s not a “Bluegrass Idol” talent competition. Simply people learning to play bluegrass music together in a friendly, supportive setting.

As a past attendee and bluegrass novice, I found that the Mt. Morris Jam Camp really helped me gain confidence with the whole idea of participating at jam sessions. So whether you’re just learning to play an acoustic instrument or would like help with harmony singing, this is the bluegrass camp you’ve been looking for: one that’s reasonably priced and close to home!

For more information and registration details, please check out the camp’s website