Thanks to donations from our wonderful GLAMA Family and from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council, we are thrilled to present:

Cooper’s Glen, Again!

September 26th

10am -9pm

Kalamazoo Valley Community College Main Campus

Tickets are on sale now!

Chris Jones and the Nigh Drivers band member photo

Chris Jones and the Night Drivers

Serita’s Black Rose

Corn Fed Girls

Djangophonique

Workshop Schedule!

The Corn Fed Girls – Putting the Pieces Together

The Corn Fed Girls will host a discussion and demonstration of how they work together to develop their presentation of a song. Whether it be a cover song or an original, there are many decisions to be made (and varying opinions to be considered) as to how the song arrangement, the different instruments, and the vocals interact to support the music in a way that pleases both the musicians and the audience. 10:15am-11:15am in Room 1

Jon Weisberger – Bass

Jon will explore the bass as the rhythmic foundation of a bluegrass band and how to fulfil that role by improving timing, maximizing tone, and executing solid chord transitions. 10:15am-11:15am in Room 2

Grace van’t Hof – Banjo

The Nashville Number System invites us to better map our fingerboards, understand scales, and easily change keys on the fly. This system, combined with variations of three easy closed chord shapes and an understanding of the consistent way they fit together, opens up a world of possibility for banjo spontaneity and easy collaboration with our fellow musicians. 10:15am-11:15am in Room 3

Joel Mabus – Blues for Everyone

This workshop is designed to provide the aspiring musician with an understanding of the essentials of the blues. The song structure of the blues, the types of chords typical of the blues, turnarounds and an approach to finding “blue” notes will be discussed and demonstrated. 11:30am-12:30am in Room 1

Don Stiernberg – Mandolin

Don Stiernberg’s mandolin workshop will examine two facets of mandolin playing: Enhancing your Rhythm parts and Tips on Improvisation. Both will refer to Bluegrass and Fiddle Tune material. 11:30am-12:30am in Room 2

Chris Jones – Guitar

Chris’s workshop will stress bluegrass rhythm guitar, giving tips for dynamic playing, right band technique, and incorporating bass runs. Lead guitar questions will be taken as well. 11:30am-12:30am in Room 3

Joel Mabus – Chords with Numbers

Are you stuck playing simple unadorned major and minor chords (C, Dm, G, Am)? Joel will discuss and demonstrate how adding chords with numbers (Bm7b5, D6, E9, Gmaj7, etc.) to your playing can add interest and variety to your playing and your songwriting. The goal is for you to discover that chords with numbers are easier (and cooler!) than you think. 1:00pm – 2:00pm in Room 1

Andrew Brown w/Djangophonique – Jazz Manouche

In this two-part workshop we will first examine the fundamentals of the Jazz Manouche technique, for both rhythm and lead playing, and then put them together by learning a simple song. Once we have this song as a canvas we will move onto the deceptively simple yet infinitely complex task of improvising over it. While the subject matter we will work with in this workshop will be in the Jazz Manouche style, these improvisational concepts can apply to many styles, instruments and techniques. 12:45pm-2:15pm

GLAMA Community Events!

Instrument Petting Zoo

Have you ever wanted to try a guitar? Never given a banjo a pluck? Do you think you might be a hidden mandolin player? The Instrument Petting Zoo is the zero risk, zero cost chance to try one of these instruments! Sit one-on-one with an experienced player and get a feel for an instrument in your hands. Welcome to kids in age and kids at heart, this is truly for everyone who ever considered trying an instrument! No experience? You’ve come to the right place! 10:15am-noon in Room 1330, just drop by (even 5 minutes might open your mind!)

Open Mic

Are you ready to try your hand on a small stage? Then come join our Open Mic and get a small feel of what it’s like playing in front of a small crowd of positive acoustic musicians! Get support, experience, and give that song a chance to soar! Stop by before the event to sign up for your spot! 12:15pm-2:00pm in Room 1330

Jam Session

It wouldn’t be a GLAMA event without a jam session! Come grow your musical skills as you play by ear with a caring and supportive collection of musicians! 10:30am – 12:30pm (or later if the tunes stay lively!)