May 30, 2011

Address: 109 Chestnut Hill Drive, 28607
Phone: 828-963-5919
Web: www.cockmanfamily.com/john

Hi everyone! I am altering the teaching style this year to accommodate large class sizes a little more smoothly, so it is ok if you bring a friend who wants to learn some tunes. Also, these classes are not just for children. All ages may participate! I recommend 6 years old as a good age to begin lessons, though much depends on desire and natural ability.

I am excited about another summer of fiddle camp! We had a really nice kickoff this past weekend at Fiddlers Grove old-time fiddlers festival. The John Barry Family, the Kennedy Family, and the Burnett family were all represented in three different bands. We are happy to announce that Faith Barry won second place junior bluegrass banjo and that Lorien Cockman won third place dobro at this prestigious event!

Fiddle camp will meet every Tuesday at 6:00 pm at our house, starting May 31st (this Tuesday!) Water will be provided, and feel free to bring a snack to share. We will not meet on June 14th because we will be at the Homeschool Picnic in Valle Crucis. The final recital will be held on August 9th.

During the first camp, I will inspect fiddles and accessories for the beginners. If your fiddle needs to be strung or set up, please bring the parts/strings that are needed.

Proposed weekly schedule: Kate Barry will be teaching a beginners class in the living room at 6:00 pm, during the same time that the intermediate class is meeting outdoors. At 6:45 I would like to get everyone together for singing (we'll try to learn harmony parts) and jamming. Then at 7:15 the advanced class will meet until around 8:00.

COST:
Nothing but your pride. However, you will need a fiddle. If you need to buy a starter fiddle, I recommend that you search eBay for "4/4 violin" and buy one of the $50 models that are already set up, complete with bow, rosin, and case. Children often need smaller violins than adults. Use this link to learn how to measure for a smaller violin: http://www.nashvilleviolins.com/articles/sizes.htm.

WEEKLY PREPARATION:
I will upload a YouTube video and sheet music each week to our web site (www.cockmanfamily.com/john). It will be your responsibility to print sheet music (if needed), listen to the midi files, and watch the video lesson. Please get a good start on the tune BEFORE we meet! This will GREATLY reduce the amount of time spent teaching, and we will have more time for the fun part -- playing together! You will get your first assignment on the 31st. You do not need to have a song ready by this Tuesday -- we are going to do some brushing up and jamming this week. However, you will receive your assignment for the following week.

OTHER INSTRUMENTS:
You are encouraged to bring other instruments to fiddle camp -- guitars, banjos, mandolins, basses, etc. (This includes PARENTS!) The sheet music for each song includes the chords for strumming along, so please print and bring if you would like to play with the group. Arwen will probably hold informal guitar jams again this year, and I will have time to give you pointers on how to play together as a band.

RULES AND REGULATIONS: :)
1) Please encourage your children to stay outside at all times unless they have to go to the bathroom. Please use the DOWNSTAIRS bathroom. The upstairs is reserved for beginning fiddlers. The upstairs door will be locked during beginner fiddle class, so please DO NOT DISTURB THEM. If it rains, however, we'll all go inside.

2) Please, no running around with sticks. Especially sticks that are on fire.

3) Young children who run with sticks, paint the interior walls, walk in the flower beds, drag my guitar across the concrete garage floor, antagonize the cat, poke holes in the tarp, break toy horses, flood the toilet, break down fruit trees, or let the rabbits out, will be given a fiddle and forced to play. ;)

That said, entire families are ENCOURAGED to attend even if they are not all participating in lessons. We want the young ones to begin their emmersion in the music early, which will make inclusion all the easier later on. We also want parents to bring a guitar, etc., and play along. It is especialy helpful to young learners if the parents or siblings are able to play together. Music in isolation is rewarding but not nearly as fun as playing with friends and family! Kids: If your parents and siblings won't make music with you, you might have to enlist the help of the family dog: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FK1Hqmy9cTc

We are looking forward to hosting our third annual fiddle camp, and we hope you will make it a regular part of your summer schedule!

Sincerely,
John, Jennifer, Arwen, and Lorien Cockman

www.cockmanfamily.com/john
Cell: 773-6262
Home: 963-5919
john2@cockmanfamily.com

Song list for Summer, 2011:

Please learn the songs BEFORE the assigned dates!