Spring weather has arrived here in Floyd, and we’re continuing to have fun in our 2025 Youth Stringband Program. We only have a few more weeks of our Spring semester, and we’re already counting down the days until our Summer Get Together Camps! There’s still plenty of room in our Teen Week, if you know a young musician who wants to join us. And don’t worry – the Stringband program will be back in Fall 2025!
Here’s an update from our Stringband Program last week:
The Appalachian Arts & Outdoors classes were able to spend a good deal of time working on their weaving projects that are turning out beautifully. Ipi’s Appalachian Enrichment class started learning the Carter Family version of “East Virginia Blues” and had fun square dancing. Sam’s first Jam class was all about the importance of tuning properly before playing in a group. Sam & Andy’s Jam class worked on songs they have played together before while talking about the importance of playing in time with one another. Josh’s Jam class continued to work on the songs they have been working on throughout the semester. Our friend Kyler Stanley substituted for Gina’s Appalachian Enrichment class and worked with the students on a lot of different dance moves. They even watched some videos of fiddlers convention dance competitions for inspiration. As always all students worked on various skills and songs with their instrument of choice.
At the Floyd Country Store Campus, Jesse Smathers taught the group another singing tune called “Old Swinging Bridge.” This song was originally written and recorded by Fries native Glen Neaves and his Grayson County Boys and has become somewhat of a jam standard in bluegrass. It was a fun, upbeat song for the kids to add to their repertoire. The students did great with this one, and were able to pick up the pace during their jam session after learning the instrument parts!
Here are some pictures from last week:
