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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.
Harwood Nature Center, Lawrence Wetlands Preserve, Chestertown Maryland, Kent
Led by : Steve Dannenfelser
“Bluegrass has brought more people together and made more friends than any music in the world”…Bill Monroe
Bring your instrument, or just your voice, and join us at the Harwood Nature Center on the first and third Saturday afternoon from 1-3:30 for a bluegrass jam. All ability levels are welcome!
All enthusiastic music lovers are welcome to come and listen, maybe you too will catch the bluegrass bug and pick up an instrument!
Register: https://sultanaeducation.org/event/1st-and-3rd-saturday-afternoon-bluegrass-jam/
Lucketts Community Center, Leesburg VA
The Becky Buller Band has become one of Lucketts most beloved acts. Audiences respond to her warmth, the sound of her lively contemporary bluegrass music and the band repartee. Becky was the first woman to receive the Fiddle Player of the Year award and the first artist to have won in both vocal and instrument categories in the same year. The Brothers Young provide an opening set. Led by Ayden (banjo) and Blane (mandolin), this hot band out of Roanoke bring youthful energy to traditional bluegrass. More info at https://luckettsbluegrass.org
Floris United Methodist Church, Herndon VA
This is a small, casual, circle jam playing bluegrass, country and praise gospel music. Come to play or listen. All levels welcome. Easy parking. Drive to the upper parking lot and walk in doors on the far right (Door #20) Chairs are provided.
The Farm Brewery at Broad Run, Broad Run (Haymarket) Virginia
Open Bluegrass jam. All levels (multiple circles). The Farm Brewery at Broad Run is on a spacious, well laid out, farm with food and beverages available. The jam is held on the SECOND and FOURTH Thursdays. There is ample parking and a friendly staff. The Farm Brewery closes at 9:00 PM, hence, jam hours are 6:30 to 8:30 PM.
Mullin’s 1847 Restaurant, Moorefield West Virginia
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