Elementary and secondary classroom and music teachers are invited to attend a free workshop, Utilizing Bluegrass Music in the Classroom, on Saturday, June 7, 2008, at the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Ky. The program will be organized by Janice Malusky, president of the American Traditional Music Project and IBMA in conjunction with the Sally Gap Bluegrass Festival, a new event hosted by the bluegrass band, Southern Sun.

During the workshop, educators will see demonstrations of the instruments used and the vocal harmony structure of traditional bluegrass music, and they will take a group banjo lesson. Participants will receive a certificate of attendance for professional development credit.

Discover Bluegrass, the IBMA-produced educational DVD on the history and development of bluegrass music now in the hands of more than 4000 educators, will be utilized during the workshop.

Participants will receive lesson plans, bluegrass music resources and take-home handouts, along with a free one-day Sally Gap Bluegrass Festival pass for Saturday, June 7.

Class size is limited to 50 participants. Register by June 1 by calling Nancy Cardwell at the IBMA office at (888) 438-4262, (615) 256-3222 or email at nancyc@ibma.org.