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Dudley Connell to receive 2026 Washington Monument Award
Entries for the Mike Auldridge Instrumental Composition Contest winners will be announced on Nov. 11, 2026!
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/
The Hazel Dickens Song Contest opens October 26th 2026!
The Hazel Dickens Song Contest celebrates the life one of the Baltimore/Washington region music’s most beloved bluegrass songwriters.
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.
Lucketts Community Center, Leesburg VA
The Burnett Sisters Band brings a fresh, energetic take on traditional music to the Lucketts stage. Folks can’t get enough of this 2025 IBMA Momentum Band of the year nominee. The band is hard to pigeonhole: a hard-driving bluegrass number may be followed by an old-time fiddle tune, a Hank Williams song, or a fiery flatfooting dance number. Tickets are available at https://luckettsbluegrass.org or at the door.
O Street Mansion, 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!
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61591693449092
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.
Calvert Elks #2620, Prince Frederick MD
Doors open at Noon
Tickets: $40.00 person
Mullin’s 1847 Restaurant, Moorefield West Virginia
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