Texas Folk Music Foundation -- Programs for 2008

• Grassy Hill-Kerrville New Folk Competition for Emerging Songwriters
• Kerrville Songwriter's School
• Professional Development for Teachers
• Campus Songwriter Competitions
• Memorial Day Blues Workshop
• Blues/Roots Guitar Workshop
• Harmonica Workshop
• Kids-Ville
• Summer Music Camp for Teens
• The Kerrville History Project

For additional information and program registration, please visit our Producing partner, the Kerrville Folk Festival, at:  http://www.kerrvillefolkfestival.com/festival_info.htm

GRASSY HILL-KERRVILLE NEW FOLK COMPETITION FOR EMERGING SONGWRITERS

Traditional high points of the festival occur during the 1^st two weekends beginning with the Saturday and Sunday afternoon New Folk Concerts. Each day 16 songwriters and combos play their winning submissions. These 32 emerged from the group of 600-700 writers who enter this contest each year. New Folk was started in the early 70's by Peter Yarrow as a vehicle for encouraging burgeoning songwriters and put them in front of a great audience. New Folk served as a springboard for artists including Nanci Griffith, Lucinda Williams, Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen. On Sunday of the 2^nd week, the six best from the group of finalists are showcased, playing longer sets for a new set of fans. These concerts were moved in 2001 to the shade of the Threadgill Theatre in the heart of the camping area. Competition starts in March when aspirants send in their CDs for a shot at being a finalist. [back to top]

KERRVILLE SONGWRITER'S SCHOOL

The folk festival has hosted our songwriter school for 25 years. We bring in faculty from universities, Nashville, Austin and other music centers to teach songwriting to dedicated professionals. The intimate setting of the ranch on weekdays, the quality of the faculty and the synergy of creative collaboration have given the Quiet Valley a solid reputation for helping writers move up to the next level. Experienced songwriter performers mix with lawyers who really want to be songsmiths. Classes are limited to 60 to maximize the opportunities for each student to get feedback and coaching on their work. [back to top]

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR TEACHERS

In its third year, the camp was created to allow teachers to earn required continuing professional education credits and connect them with some of the large pool of talented songwriters and educators who come to the festival. The foundation hosts a series of classes, June 7 & 9-11 during the 2004 festival. On Monday, we will have a program of interest to teachers, singers, attorneys & others who use their voices to earn a living on proper voice & breathing techniques to avoid late-in-the-day drop in vocal power. Our programs for the rest of the week include Peter Yarrow's "Don't Laugh at Me" program for ending teasing & bullying in the schools. On the 3^rd, 4^th & 5^th days of that week, teachers will be treated to hands-on classes led by songwriters and music educators on topics related to teaching songwriting to students, developing writing and artistic skills and personal creative development. After classes teachers can enjoy round-the-clock music and relaxing in the hills. There are no charges for attending these workshops, although we ask for purchase of tickets for the evening musical programs. Classes are accredited by the State Board for Educator Certification. [back to top]

CAMPUS SONGWRITERS COMPETITIONS

Begun in 2001, the foundation co-sponsors campus songwriting contests at area universities along with student unions. The University of Texas, Texas A&M, Rice and North Texas held contests in the Spring of 2002 & 2003 with the top writers from each campus playing in a winners' concert on the 3rd Saturday of the Festival, June 12^th in 2004. The 2004 contest took place on six campuses. [back to top]

MEMORIAL DAY BLUES WORKSHOP

Held on Memorial Day beginning with Elizabeth Cotton in 1987, the blues workshop allows 3 noted acoustic blues practitioners to talk about their influences, their guitars, blues & personal histories. They are asked to play music from different stages of their careers. The program is educational as well as entertaining. [back to top]

BLUES/ROOTS GUITAR WORKSHOP

The Blues Guitar School was started in 2000 as a valuable service the festival could provide to those interested in learning the art and technique of playing the blues. Steve James, writer, performer, teacher and blues historian heads up a revolving faculty of master blues artists for this 3-day program. [back to top]

HARMONICA WORKSHOP

Kerrville attracts very talented harmonica players. The harmonica workshop takes players from intermediate to veteran with special attention given to learning how to accompany other musicians. Also a 3-day program. [back to top]

KIDS-VILLE

Kids-Ville is a fun place for Kerr-kids and their parents to learn, play and enjoy music. The Staff provides materials and materials for art projects, music classes, theater activities, nature classes and more. In 2005, Kidsville includes a music appreciation class featuring harmonica as the instrument, where children can learn to appreciate and value music and musicianship with an easy-to-play instrument (harmonicas provided). Kids-Ville meets every morning across from the Kerr-try Store. [back to top]

SUMMER MUSIC CAMP FOR TEENS

The Summer Music Camp for Teens is designed to help kids find their own VOICE. This unique program brings kids from all over Central Texas through a partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas and the Kerrville Family. With professional songwriters & poets leading the sessions, the kids learn through Music and Poetry to be creative. This program also provides an outdoor experience with Camping, Canoe Trip and many other outdoor activities. This program has been recognized in 2007 by Boys & Girls Clubs of America with a Regional Program Excellence Award. Information about sponsorships and camp can be obtained through the Foundation booth during the Kerrville Folk Festivals, or by contacting Jon Charles at jcharles@cbgclub.org.[back to top]

THE KERRVILLE HISTORY PROJECT

The Kerrville History Project, started in 2008, is gathering and presenting the history of the Kerrville Folk Festival past and present with special emphasis on the culture of volunteer staff and long-term attendees. Through a series of interviews, photographs, and memorabilia collections provided or donated to the program, the goal of this project is to collect, retain and present the history of the longest-running Festival of its kind in North America. The project has plan to use its space in the Festival grounds to present the “KerrHistory” in innovative and exciting ways. A collaboration with Touchable Stories, a 501(c)3 non-profit. [back to top]