The Southern Ohio Indoor Music Festival, in conjunction with the Foundation for Bluegrass Music (FBM) will host a free teacher’s workshop called “Utilizing Bluegrass Music in the Classroom” on Friday, November 13, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Roberts Convention Centre in Wilmington, Ohio.

Open to educators of all grades and subjects, the course (with certificates issued for professional development credit) will include live presentations of bluegrass music, a banjo lesson, a clogging lesson and lots more!

Lesson plans on the history and development of bluegrass music from the educational DVD, Discover Bluegrass: Exploring American Roots Music plus a number of bluegrass music resources and take-home handouts will be shared with teachers registered for the workshop, along with a free two-day festival pass for each teacher and a guest who is also interested in attending the workshop.

There is no charge for the workshop but class size is limited to 50 teachers. To register, call 866-372-3531 ext. 102 or email megan@myclassiccountry.com. Registration deadline is November 6.

Special Opportunity: Educators who wish to earn Miami University credit for participation in this workshop may contact Dr. Tom Kopp (kopptw@muohio.edu / 513-529-7278). Dr. Kopp will offer a one-credit hour online course, EDT 498/598.B “The Bluegrass Connection: Building Bridges with Learners and Families of the Appalachian Community,” that culminates at the Southern Ohio Indoor Music Festival workshop. Enrollment limit – 20.

Any bluegrass festival is a rare opportunity for educators to experience cultural and musical diversity firsthand. Add a workshop especially designed for teachers, and the Southern Ohio Indoor Music Festival experience becomes even more extraordinary.

To learn more about this program and the festival, please visit ibma.org, somusicfest.com and BluegrassFoundation.org.

– From Megan Brugger, My Classic Country