DCBU Camp

The  DCBU Bluegrass & Old-Time Camp  boasts a top flight teaching staff who offer five separate class periods of instruction every day, Monday - Friday, across the three Traditions Weeks. The bluegrass and old-time curriculum reflects the reality that both musical styles are historically and currently interrelated in a profound way, and offers campers the rare opportunity to learn from both idioms. REMINDER: In 2024, Traditions Week 1 is VIRTUAL (June 24-28); Traditions Week 2 is IN-PERSON (July 7-12)! Traditions Week 3 will return in the future!

July 7-12, 2024
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM + Evening Events
On the campus of McDaniel College, 2 College Hill, Westminster, MD 21157
Tuition starts at $117
Bryan McDowell
John Haywood
Kelly Brzozowski

The greater Washington, D.C. area is home to some of the finest musicians and bands in bluegrass and old-time music. The region has been a hotbed of talent and creativity for more than sixty years and has birthed such major acts as the Stonemans, Reno and Smiley, Emmy Lou Harris, Hazel Dickens, Ola Belle Reed, Mike Seeger, the Country Gentlemen, the Johnson Mountain Boys, the Seldom Scene and many others. Mindful of that tradition, the D.C. Bluegrass Union joins with Common Ground on the Hill to present a week of instrumental, band and vocal classes taught by some of Washington’s best performers and teachers—plus some very special additions. We welcome beginning to advanced players of all ages to an unparalleled week of learning, jamming, singing, concerts and bluegrass/old-time camaraderie. Parents, bring your kids and enroll them in World Village while you play music!  Create your own schedule including art, music dance and lecture classes.

​Since 2007, the DCBU Bluegrass & Old-Time Camp has presented a top flight teaching staff who offer five separate class periods of instruction every day, Monday - Friday, with classes primarily in Traditions Week 2 (July 2-7) unless otherwise noted. The bluegrass and old-time curriculum reflects the reality that both musical styles are historically and currently interrelated in a profound way, and offers campers the rare opportunity to learn from both idioms.

We encourage you to attend the Common Ground on the Hill Roots Music & Arts Festival on Saturday, July 13, 2024, this year located on the air-conditioned campus of McDaniel College! Don't miss this all star collection of bluegrass and old-time greats! Full staff info coming soon!!

Wake up Monday morning and dive into your classes and enjoy evening concerts for five days and nights!  This year's program is all virtual, so you can pick and choose classes during the day and across the weeks to match your schedule!

Bluegrass, Old-Time, & Celtic Classes

Explore our list of classes at Traditions Weeks

Week 3 - returning in the future

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Week 1

6/24/24
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6/28/24

Week 2

7/7/24
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7/12/24

The 18th Annual DCBU Bluegrass & Old-Time Camp ​at Common Ground on the Hill

Bruce Molsky and Tony Trischka
Past instructors (L-R) Bruce Molsky, Tony Trischk

2024 DCBU STAFF TBA!

2023 Bluegrass INSTRUCTORS
  • Barry Mitterhoff - Mandolin (Week 2)
  • Bryan McDowell -Fiddle, Guitar (Week 2)
  • Tom Mindte - Mandolin, Vocals (Weeks 1 & 2)
  • Randy Barrett - Banjo, Vocals (DCBU Coordinator) (Week 2)
  • Wayne Fugate - Mandolin (Weeks 1 & 2)
  • Carter Giegrich - Resophonic Guitar (Week 2)
  • Ralph Gordon - Bass (Week 2)


2023 OLD-TIME STAFF
  • Ken Kolodner – Fiddle, Hammered Dulcimer (Week 2)
  • Rachel Eddy – Fiddle (Week 1)
  • John Haywood – Banjo, Vocals (Week 2)
  • Lydia Martin – Banjo (Week 2)
  • Howie Bursen – Guitar, Vocals (Week 2)
  • Sally Rogers – Mountain Dulcimer, Vocals (Week 2)
  • Pam Weeks – Mountain Dulcimer (Week 1)
  • Susan Boyer Haley – Mountain Dulcimer, Vocals (Week 2)
  • Mary Lynn Michal – Hammered Dulcimer (Week 2)
  • Marsha Searle – Percussive Dance (Week 2)
  • Slim Harrison – Autoharp, String Band (Week 2)

2023 CELTIC STAFF
  • Steáfán Hannigan – Whistles, Bodhrán (Week 2)
  • Claire White – Shetland Fiddle (Week 1)
  • Shannon Quinn – Nova Scotia & Irish Fiddle (Week 2)
  • Maddie Morris – Classic Ballads, Pub Singing (Week 2)
  • Brian Connolly – Irish Tenor Banjo (Week 1)
  • Paul Creighton – Scottish Song (Week 1)
  • Bill Troxler – Bodhrán (Weeks 1 & 2)
  • Karen Ashbrook – Hammered Dulcimer (Week 2)
  • Kelly Brzozowski – Harp (Week 2)
  • Jo Morrison – Harp (Week 2)

ALL COMMON GROUND ON THE HILL CLASSES ARE OFFERED AS PART OF THE DC BLUEGRASS UNION CAMP, AND ARE OPEN TO ANYONE WISHING TO ENROLL.  CAMP ENROLLEES ARE ENCOURAGED TO TAKE ANY AND ALL CLASSES THROUGHOUT THE COMMON GROUND ON THE HILL SPECTRUM, INCLUDING DANCE, ART, LECTURE AND ALL MUSICAL GENRES. SEE CLASS DESCRIPTIONS AND INSTRUCTOR BIOS UNDER INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES.

Evening Concerts 8:00 PM, Dances and Jamming until you drop.

Something For Everyone

Schedule a week or two, or three! Or, just sprinkle some classes in between other commitments.

Week 3 - returning in the future

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Download Schedule

Week 1

6/24/24
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6/28/24
Download Schedule

Week 2

7/7/24
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7/12/24
Download Schedule