Junior Appalachian Musicians, Inc. is calling all students and teachers of traditional old time and bluegrass music to participate in JAM Day on Saturday, May 19 at the Blue Ridge Music Center (700 Foothills Rd, Galax).
JAM Day will provide multiple learning opportunities for kids through workshops and activities, as well as a training seminar for JAM instructors.
“JAM Day is a truly inspirational event for young musicians, as they discover just how many others their ages are learning to play old time and bluegrass,” Brett Martin, JAM.org coordinator.
A student performance will start at 4 p.m. and is open to families, friends and community members for free admission.
Activities are free for all participants, as well.
Workshops for the young musicians will be taught by area JAM teachers and other master musicians, and will include various levels of fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, bass, mountain dance, singing, storytelling, and activities conducted by National Park Service Rangers.
JAM Day also gives kids the chance to meet and play music with new friends in the spirit of the social culture of mountain music.
Participants are advised to pre-register by May 14 at www.jamkids.org/brmc in order to receive a meal at no cost and have first preference for workshop choices. On-site registration will be available beginning at 9 a.m. for those not pre-registered, and sign-in for those registered will start at 10 a.m.
Parents are welcome, but not required to attend with their children, and additional arts/crafts activities will be available for younger siblings. Children should bring their own musical instrument(s) to participate. More information is available online or by calling the JAM, Inc. office at (276) 773-0573.
JAM, Inc. is the parent organization for 42 after-school traditional music education programs in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
There are twelve JAM programs serving children in Southwest Virginia in the counties of Bland, Carroll, Floyd, Franklin, Montgomery, Scott, Smyth, Washington, Wise, and the City of Galax.
JAM, Inc. provides communities with the tools and support they need to teach children how to play and dance to traditional old time and bluegrass music together. JAM Day is one of the many benefits they provide to kids and teachers at no cost in addition to helping start new JAM programs in areas with limited arts education opportunities for children.
JAM has been working with the Blue Ridge Music Center for nearly ten years to offer performance and learning opportunities for JAM kids and their families.
“JAM programs in general, as well as the regional events we organize, help instill a lifelong appreciation for Appalchian arts and culture in families and children,” Martin said. “Last year, forty kids participated in JAM day, and we are hoping to increase that number in May.”
