About Upper Potomac Music Weekends
Located in historic Shepherdstown, West Virginia, the weekend programs of Upper Potomac Music Weekends give students an opportunity to share tunes and techniques, and to learn from some of the finest teachers available in a variety of traditions on many instruments.
All weekend workshops take place in the relaxed, retreat setting of the Shepherd University Student Center and surrounding historic buildings in scenic Shepherdstown, West Virginia.
Each program offers a slightly different flavor or theme to appeal to a wide range of students.
Our programs for the 2012 season are:
Piper's Weekend - January 6-8, 2012
Weekend retreat featuring classes, concerts, sessions and private tutorials for a variety of bellows-blown bagpipes, flute and mixed instruments. Staff are: Jerry O’Sullivan, EJ Jones, Dick Hensold, Bob Mitchell and John Skelton. Classes at all levels of ability; high-quality rental Scottish smallpipes are available for new pipers who wish to try them for the weekend.
Fiddle Retreat - January 13-15, 2012
Workshops, Classes, Jam Sessions and a Contra Dance for Fiddlers and those who play with them. A variety of fiddle styles are presented by some of the region’s finest fiddle teachers with an emphasis on dance fiddle styles including Appalachian, Scottish, Irish, and English. 2010 Special Guest teachers are klezmer fiddler Lisa Gutkin, New England fiddler Amy Cann along with 6 of our local favorites: Elke Baker, Cleek Schrey, Joe Herrmann, Ellen Jacobs, Paul Oorts on mandolin technique and Ken Kolodner on dulcimer accompaniment.
Spring Music Weekend - March 16-18, 2012
Workshops, classes, concerts and jam sessions for hammered dulcimer and mixed instruments with special guest instructors including dulcimer players Sam Rizzetta, Andy Young, Patty Amelotte, Cindy Ribet and master accompanist, Paul Oorts.
Celtic Weekend - November 16-18, 2012
Workshops, classes, dances, jam sessions and a concert focusing on traditional music from Celtic regions. This year's theme and staff are TBA.
Upper Potomac Music Weekends