Texas Folk Music Foundation -- Programs
- Kerrville Folk Festival
- Kerrville Wine & Music Festival
- Grassy Hill-Kerrville New Folk Competition for Emerging Songwriters
- Kerrville Songwriter's School
- Professional Development for Teachers
- Campus Songwriter Competitions
- Blues/Roots Guitar Workshop
- Harmonica Workshop
- Kids-Ville
- Summer Music Camp for Teens
- The Kerrville History Project
For additional information, workshop dates and program registration, please visit the Kerrville Folk Festival website, at: www.kerrville-music.com
GRASSY HILL-KERRVILLE NEW FOLK COMPETITION FOR EMERGING SONGWRITERS
Traditional high points of the festival occur during the 1st 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 700-800 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 2nd 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. For more information click here. [back to top]
KERRVILLE SONGWRITER'S SCHOOL
The folk festival has hosted our songwriter school for 25 years, held in the Kennedy Outdoor Theater so that there's plenty of room for break-out sessions. 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
The Program 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. We host a series of classes during each festival, which have included topics such as how to use the voice to earn a living on proper voice & breathing techniques, programs to help end teasing & bullying in the schools, and 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 additional charges for attending these workshops, although a festival wristband is REQUIRED to be on the ranch. 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, including Texas State University, The University of Texas, Texas A&M, Rice. The top writers from each campus play in a winners' concert during the Festival. [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. This workshop is held in the campground Threadgill Theatre during the same time as the songwriters school.[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. This workshop is usually held Tuesday through Thursday of the second week of the Festival, at the Kennedy Theatre.[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. Kids-Ville meets every morning across from the Kerr-try Store. [back to top]
SUMMER MUSIC YOUTH CAMP
The Summer Music Youth Camp 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]
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