Master Class

We can't think of a better way to start off this year's series of workshops, than with one of the world's top dobro players. Roger Williams has performed and recorded with many well respected bluegrass and folk acts, including Don Stover & The White Oak Mountain Boys,White Mountain Bluegrass, Hazel Dickens, Joe Val, Bill Harrell, Delia Bell & Bill Grant, and many, many more. The accolades he has received over the years are a testament to his musicianship. The liner notes on a recent Randy Spencer project read, "When I sit in the control room and hear tracks that Roger is trying out on dobro, I know I'm in the presence of greatness. Characteristic of a short list of musicians, Roger doesn't merely play along or complement a song, Roger interprets. I don't even start a CD until I call Roger." In this workshop you get the chance to see and hear Roger's playing at close quarters, ask him questions and learn about the many possibilities of the dobro.

Master Class

Master Class/Hands-on (Beginners/Intermediate/Advanced)

The fiddle workshop will be hosted by Joost van Es, an acclaimed award-winning musician and member of the band 4Wheel Drive. Co-host Jiri Kralik from the Czech Republic is a master of western swing and a multiple award-winning fiddler. Joining Joost and Jiri  for this workshop is Raymond McLain, a fine fiddler (and well-known multi-instrumentalist) from Tennessee, perhaps best known for the 2 decades he spent playing with the McLain Family Band. Raymond also worked with Jim & Jesse's Virginia Boys for 10 years, and currently performs both solo and in a duo with Canadian harmonica wizard Mike Stevens. In addition to performing, recording, and producing, Raymond is also the Director of the Bluegrass and Country Music Program at East Tennessee State University!

Together with his colleagues, Joost will go over different styles of fiddling. They will also discuss playing in a band and backing up your fellow musicians, and will demonstrate some tunes, and answer your questions. They want to encourage people to bring their fiddles, and would like EVERYONE to play.

16:00 - MANDOLIN - Kevin Lynch, Martino Coppo, Phil Rosenthal, Jan Pals, & Bruno van Hoek
Hands-on (Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced)

This mandolin workshop will not be an informal concert. Come prepared for work and fun, be tuned up and ready to start. This hour will include small group instruction on different levels, and one-on-one tutoring (if time permits); questions and discussions are encouraged. The following is a partial list of our agenda.

Beginners/Intermediate:
- Holding your instrument (proper ergonomic arm and hand positions)
- Tuning basics (some tips and solutions  for intonation problems)
- Basic right- and left hand technique
- Plectrum control and picking direction (up-stroke, down-stroke and tremolo)
- Bluegrass chord positions
- Simple scales for warm-up and daily practice
- Rhythm methods (learning to use thhe mandolin 'chop' effectively)
- Learn a simple tune and jam together at the end of the session

Intermediate/Advanced:
- Sensible playing versus overplaying
- Fills and playing 'backup' (when and where/how to support a vocalist)
- Lead playing (solos)
- Positions from the 5^th fret and beyond
- Syncopated rhythms (alternative mando "chops")

18:00

The topic of this workshop will be "Basics of Soloing and Improvising." Three of Europe's master flatpickers, along with Seldom Scene veteran Phil Rosenthal, will discuss how to build a simple solo, what techniques can be used to make it more interesting, how to play up the neck, and how to start with improvising. Questions are encouraged!

CHILDREN'S PROGRAM, General Info:

Parents, bring your children! Children, bring your instruments - or just come and sing!
As you can see, the first 2 workshops on Saturday are for the kids. Children of all ages will have an opportunity to see and touch bluegrass instruments, and to sing. We will also invite children from the Voorthuizen area elementary schools to join us, and they can bring a parent. Both shows will be fun and educational for both children and parents.
The children's programs were organized by Ingrid de Vries and Liz Meesters.

11.00 - LITTLE CHILDREN - Dolly, I Beg Your Pardon

Your hosts, Dolly, I Beg Your Pardon, are a Dutch trio that presents a musical and visual show for smaller children who can participate in the music. The three women of the band create an ambience in which it is fun and natural to make music.

13:00 - TALES FROM THE TRAILS - Eddie Winship (especially for children 5-12 years old)

This program will be hosted by Scotsman Eddie Winship. "Tales from the Trails" contains stories and songs of the West. Children will have the opportunity to learn to spin ropes and sing a song in Native American sign language. A translator will be present, and although the theme is educational, the main emphasis is on fun, fun, fun!

Eddie is a folksinger from Scotland, who hosts a radio show on Thames University's Blast 1386 in Reading, England. He's a fine storyteller who has worked a lot with children. In 1998 he worked all over the USA as a singing cowboy for the Green Meadows company. His show "Tales from the Trails" has been performed at many folk festivals and schools in several countries, including the Ulster-American Folk Park in Omagh, Northern Ireland.

14:00 - APPALACHIAN CLOG DANCING - Julie Black

Clog dancing is an expressive style of American dance with origins in the folk dances of the British Isles, Africa, and pre-Columbian America. Settlers in the American South took elements of these styles to form a unique American dance style, Appalachian clog dancing.

We are very lucky to have Julie Black come all the way from the USA to Voorthuizen to teach us the basics of this traditional dance. Julie is a long-time Appalachian clog dance performer and instructor who has taught teams and workshops for the past 19 years. During her years of solo competing, she won more than 100 trophies with her fast-paced advanced clog dancing.

American clawhammer-style banjo player Hunter Robertson will join Julie for a number together during the workshop, and Julie will join Hunter onstage for a song during his solo set on Saturday afternoon at 16:30, too.

No musical talent or instrumental ability is required to enjoy this workshop. Just put on your happy feet and have an hour of great fun!

Julie Black, Appalachian clog dancer

16:00 - MAKE YOUR VOCALS SOUND MORE BLUEGRASS - Fayssoux McLean, Mac & Hazel McGee

This year we have some very special singers coming to EWOB who can really help you learn to make your vocals sound more bluegrass! On the traditional side, it's hard to find singers with deeper roots than Mac & Hazel McGee of White Mountain Bluegrass. Hazel's mother Ginny Cote, known as the "Lil' Tennessee Sweetheart," was featured regularly on Grand Ol' Opry radio decades ago, and Hazel has a voice as powerful and timeless as the Rock of Ages. Together, Mac & Hazel have the perfect old-style country-bluegrass sound. Fayssoux McLean has a more contemporary sound. Formerly married to John Starling back in the early heyday of the Seldom Scene, with whom she did a lot of singing both on and offstage, Fayssoux sang backup on the early Emmylou Harris albums and has finally released a CD of her own. This is a rare chance that no European bluegrass singer should miss. Plant your vocals on some real bluegrass roots

18:00 - MIC TECHNIQUE FOR MUSICIANS - Using the Sound System Effectively Onstage -
Bruno van Hoek

In this workshop Bruno van Hoek, experienced sound engineer and one of Holland's finest banjo players, will help the less technically-inclined musician to understand and work with a sound system. After a short introduction, some difficulties that musicians may encounter while performing through a sound system will be demonstrated, followed by their respective cures. Participants are requested to bring their instruments, for they will be offered the opportunity to work on their microphone technique during the workshop. Close micing as well as single mic technique and its many pitfalls will be covered. Here's your chance to dramatically improve your stage performance!