California Bluegrass
Association
Freight and Salvage
Welcome Wagon
Once you are Take-the-Stage alumna/us, we welcome your volunteer help with shows and special alumni programs. You'll be given a chance to join after you've completed your first workshop. Alumni meet at Festivals for jamming and company, among other fun activities.
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Band Coaching
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Our workshop coaches are all professional working musicians, who know the music and how to help you work with a band and perform. Our roster includes: Dave Zimmerman, Topher Gayle, Erik Hoffman, Tom Lucas, and Pamela Brandon (Belle Monroe).
Star Instructors, including Laurie Lewis, Kathy Kallick, Jim Nunally, Tom Rozum, Megan Lynch and Bill Evans, visit the bands once each session to provide the highest level of coaching. A Star Instructor is also assigned to work with one band for five sessions in the advanced band workshop for existing bands.
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Band Performance Workshop
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Participants are grouped into bands and coached for 7 sessions by a professional musician, plus a sound class, culminating in a show onstage at the Freight and Salvage.
Please read the notes below for more information.
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Welcome Jam |
August 29th |
Session Dates |
Sunday evenings, Sept. 5 - Oct. 24
(7 two hour sessions) |
Show Date |
Oct. 31st |
Cost: |
$350 (pay $100 deposit to hold your place) |
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Take the Stage Application » |
Band Performance Workshop
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Participants are grouped into bands and coached for 7 sessions by a professional musician, plus a sound class, culminating in a show onstage at the Freight and Salvage.
Please read the notes below for more information.
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Welcome Jam |
Sunday, Feb. 6th (4 to 6 pm) |
Session Dates |
Sunday evenings, Feb. 20 - April 24
(7 two hour sessions)
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Show Date |
Sunday May 8th (12 to 4 pm) |
Cost: |
$350 (pay $100 deposit to hold your place) |
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Take the Stage Application » |
Band Performance Workshop
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Participants are grouped into bands and coached for 7 sessions by a professional musician, plus a sound class, culminating in a show onstage at the Freight and Salvage.
Please read the notes below for more information.
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Welcome Jam |
tba |
Session Dates |
tba |
Show Date |
tba |
Cost: |
$350 (pay $100 deposit to hold your place) |
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Advanced Band Coaching
This is a new program for existing bands who would like to get to the next level of musicianship. Coached by nationally acclaimed instructors. Past instructors have included Laurie Lewis, Jim Nunally, and Kathy Kallick. Space is limited and auditions required. Session Dates and Performance same as band workshop above. For more information on cost and program, please email hilary@nellrobinsonmusic.com with "Take the Stage" in the subject line.
Important Notes about Band Performance Workshop
Workshop Instructors bring professional experience in bluegrass, old-time, folk and
other American roots music and are committed to excellent instruction for the advanced-beginner
level and above.
"Star" instructors will take a turn at leading specialized sessions in areas such as
harmony development, taking instrumental breaks and sound set-up.
Participants will be screened and grouped based on experience, instrument, ability,
interest and schedule. TTS strives to make the experience encouraging and fun for all.
Participants will experience exploring music with others including the need to balance
individual and group needs and interests.
You must commit to attending rehearsals and the performance. Your band-mates will be
counting on you.
Cost is $350, including guest instructors, sound class, a performance at the Freight and Salvage and
an audio recording of the show. We may be able to provide a video of the show at an extra cost. We can
on occasion reduce the workshop fee for needed instruments or vacancies. Each band prepares and performs 5 songs (20-25 minute set).
Send in an application and deposit of $100 to hold your place. Deposits are nonrefundable unless
we are unable to accept you into the workshop. The balance is due at the first workshop and is non-refundable. These
policies are in place to strongly encourage people to make a commitment to their band and keep it.
Musical identity of the bands: You will be preparing five songs. We have found that while we try to group
people based on their musical interests, not everyone shares the same definition of, for instance, bluegrass, or share
the same taste in specific sub-genres. The TTS bands have naturally evolved into creating their own identity and sound
based on individual and group interests once they get together and get to know each other. All of this, of course, is
within the world of Americana Roots music. After accounting for schedule, instrument type and playing level, we group the
bands as best we can by musical style and genre. The Workshops are also taught by musicians who are knowledgeable and
accomplished with specific genres and who can give specific coaching on overall band sound and to individual musicians on their
solos etc. however, if you would be unhappy performing with a band that strays from a strict definition of a particular
genre, this workshop may not be for you.
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