May 25-26-27, 2017

Doors open:

European World of Bluegrass Festival

May 25 - 26 - 27, 2017 Voorthuizen, The Netherlands
"Maybe world peace
can start with a banjo intro."
- Liz Meyer

The European World of Bluegrass Festival features a varied workshop program. Even private lessons are available! EWOB's workshops are hosted by experienced bluegrass musicians who love to share the secrets of their trade. It's great fun to attend a workshop conducted by a group of enthusiastic musicians in true festival style. Acoustic instrument instruction is available for banjo, flatpicking guitar, mandolin and sometimes fiddle and dobro, as well as bluegrass vocals. The selection varies each year.

Sponsored by          Access to the workshops is free to all EWOB visitors. Voluntary donations for attending the workshops are of course very welcome. This will help to support a full workshop programme.
Workshops MC: Ruud de Bruin

THURSDAY MAY 25

16.00  ‘SAD SONGS FULL THROTTLE’,  WORKSHOP LEAD SINGING IN A BLUEGRASS SETTING
(Shelly O’Day)

Come to this workshop expecting to take part. There will be a short demonstration followed by some warming up exercises. Towards the end of the class the participants will be asked to demonstrate the vocal techniques discussed in the workshop. There will be an emphasis on trying new things and discovering rather than critique about each personal voice. Before the class you might want to noodle around with different singing keys in order to find your best one. Familiarize yourself with the song "River of Death" and listen to the singing style and timing of Lester Flatt.

 
18.00  FIDDLE: SWEDISH FIDDLE TUNES, LEARNING BY EAR
Anton Teljebäck (Old Salt)

Broaden your horizons with this workshop by five-string fiddle player Anton Teljebäck from Sweden. Anton will teach us how to learn fiddle tunes by ear. Participants should be able to play at an intermediate level. Don’t forget to bring your instruments, it’s a hands-on workshop. And of course four string fiddles are welcome as well!


FRIDAY MAY 26

14.30 THE DO’S AND DON’TS OF PLAYING IN A GREAT BLUEGRASS BAND
Peter Broekhuijsen & Elly Beurskens

You don’t have to be an outstanding instrumentalist to play in an excellent band. Playing bluegrass is all about working together as a band. This workshop will teach you how to create rhythm and drive, what the essential role of each instrument is, and how to support each other to bring out the best in each band member. Participants (beginners and intermediate level) will be invited to join in from time to time, so bring your instruments; a double bass will be available.

 

16.00 PROGRESSIVE BANJO
Steve Louvat (Louvat Brothers)

Steve is a passionate 5-string banjo player (left handed!) who has built up an international career over the last 20 years. Topics which he will cover in this workshop are rolls and advanced rolls, chord substitutions which fit the bluegrass context and the use of chord substitutions when working on bluegrass licks. Don’t miss this opportunity to get acquainted with some great progressive banjo playing.

 

19.00 DOBRO
Jeroen Schmohl (Tennessee Studs)

We’re very happy to welcome Jeroen Schmohl  again this year to host the dobro workshop. Jeroen is considered one of the best dobroists in the Benelux and is always willing to share his passion for this great instrument with you. He will adapt the workshop to fit your needs using his experience and techniques as reference.  

SATURDAY MAY 27

13.00 FIDDLE: BOWING AND RHYTHMICAL DEVELOPMENT
Bela Horvat (Steel Sheep)

This workshop will focus on developing right-hand technique alongside deepening one's rhythmical vocabulary through an easy method,  which can be used to create virtually countless personal exercises. Some examples will be presented during the workshop. A greater part of the workshop will be relevant to all instruments, whilst the practical examples at the end will probably be of more relevance to bowed string players. Skill level:  the method applies to basic, intermediate and advanced players. The level of the practical part of the workshop will be in the intermediate range.

 

14.00 HARMONY VOCALS
John Lowell Band

Harmony vocals are the heart of bluegrass music. This workshop will cover the fundamentals  of chord voicings in theory and demonstrate different ways to build harmony stacks. The target group skill level is beginner to intermediate. There will also be plenty of room for question and answer.

 

16.00 BANJO
Julie Elkins (John Lowell Band)

Julie Elkins has dedicated herself to the banjo since childhood. Today she will do a workshop on traditional and contemporary banjo back up, but she’s prepared to cover any banjo subject that you have questions about . Bring your instruments and be prepared to have fun!

 

18.00 MANDOLIN
Mike Marshall & Caterina Lichtenberg

Mike Marshall is one of the world’s most accomplished and versatile string instrumentalists in American today. A master on mandolin, guitar, mandocello and violin, he has created some of the most adventurous instrumental music for over 35 years.
In her own right Caterina Lichtenberg is one of the most important mandolinists of our time. She currently holds the only existing Professor position for classical mandolin through the Music Conservatory in Cologne, Germany and is also the classical mandolin teacher for the ArtistWorks online music school. Come and be surprised by this excellent duo!

 

All throughout the festival you can enjoy

INDIVIDUAL LESSONS ON BANJO, MANDOLIN, DOBRO AND GUITAR

 

During the three festival days we offer individual lessons on various bluegrass instruments. Neatly filling the gap between group workshops and learning from books at home, these lessons have proven to be a huge success. Are you learning to play a bluegrass instrument and looking for specific solutions to specific problems? No big deal, we’re here to help you out!

  • There will be sign-up sheets at the information desk
  • Sign up for the instrument and teacher of your choice
  • The tuition fee will be € 6 for a 20 minute lesson

 


 
 
 
 

European World of Bluegrass 2017