In an effort to help more young people discover bluegrass music, the International Bluegrass Music Association hosts an annual Bluegrass Lesson Plan Competition designed to encourage and reward the creation of instructional units at all grade levels that will expose students to the sounds and the analysis of bluegrass music.

IBMA

Deadline to enter the competition is Nov. 30.

Lesson plans are judged by a team of experienced teachers familiar with the genre, with the aim of honoring plans that deliver high-quality instruction in an interesting way.

“We’re also looking for lessons that conform to nationwide educational standards and are easily adaptable by other teachers (who may not be bluegrass musicians),” IBMA said in a news release.

The first-place winner will receive $750 and a cruise ticket for two on Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike’s bluegrass cruise in January 2011. The top winner will also be invited to present the winning lesson plan onboard the cruise for bluegrass industry reps and fans present, as a professional development workshop.

The second-place winner will receive $500 and the third-place lesson plan will receive $350. Additional plans may be noted as “Honorable Mention.”

All award recipients will be honored onstage at the IBMA Special Awards Luncheon during annual World of Bluegrass events in Nashville, Tenn.

Judges review lesson plans from December through January, and winners are announced Feb. 1.

An application form and additional details are available by clicking here.