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The Hazel Dickens Song Contest Accepting Submissions!
The Hazel Dickens Song Contest celebrates the life one of the Baltimore/Washington region music’s most beloved bluegrass songwriters.
Congratulations to the Winners of the Mike Auldridge Instrumental Composition!
The Mike Auldridge Instrumental Composition Contest honors the life and musicianship of one of America’s greatest bluegrass players.
Applications Orrin Star Scholarship award will be accepted between Sept. 7th and Nov. 16th 2026!
The Orrin Star Scholarship honors the memory and generosity of a remarkable man, who lived in the DC area for most of his career and who was a friend to many in the bluegrass community. Orrin gained notoriety as a champion flat-picker and went on to enrich many of our lives with the warmth and humor of his performing and teaching.
Applications for the $500 award are accepted every year, beginning in the fall. Look for the announcement on the home page. Meanwhile, the program description is at https://dcbu.org/the-orrin-star-scholarship-program/
One important aspect of DCBU’s mission is to promote music education. We offer an instructor directory so students can locate teachers in their local area for in-person instruction. Additionally, since so many great musicians teach online classes, we’re now posting information for instructors wherever they are located. To sign-up as an instructor fill out the form by selecting the link below. Your submission will be reviewed and added to our directory within a few days.
The Mansion at O St, Washington DC
The first and third Sundays of every month a bunch of musicians get together an play bluegrass songs and tunes in the back of the O. St. Mansion. Typically between 3 and 13 people show up, ranging from absolute beginners to seasoned pros. All are welcome and encouraged to keep coming back!
When you are let into the museum, ask where the bluegrass jam is and they can show you the way!
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Frying Pan Park Visitor Center, Hendon VA
Join us for a friendly bluegrass Jam on the first and 3rd Sunday each month at the Visitor Center. All levels are welcome.
Mullin’s 1847 Restaurant, Moorefield West Virginia
Lucketts Community Center, Leesburg Virginia
The Lonesome River Band is one of the most respected bands in bluegrass. Five-time IBMA Banjo Player of the year, and winner of the Steve Martin Prize, Sammy Shelor leads a group that is constantly breaking new ground. The band includes two top-notch lead vocalists, Jesse Smathers and Adam Miller. Mike Hartgrove on fiddle was recently inducted into the National Fiddlers Halls of Fame. Kameron Keller, regarded a leading younger bluegrass bassist, rounds out the band. We are excited to host one of the genre’s most widely admired and powerful bands. Tickets are available at https://luckettsbluegrass.org/
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