The DC Bluegrass Union (DCBU) is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization serving Washington, DC and the surrounding region. Its activities promote learning and performance of music in bluegrass and related traditions, together with knowledge of the music’s heritage associated specifically with the Baltimore-Washington area. Through its annual scholarship, DCBU hopes to encourage learners who can help sustain this heritage in the years ahead through their own play and community involvement. A gift from the late Orrin Star led DCBU to announce in 2018 the establishment of a scholarship program for the benefit of young people who are acquiring musical skills for playing and singing in the bluegrass style.
Orrin made the DC area his home during most of his career, but his remarkable talent for performing and teaching the music was recognized nation-wide. Students learned from him locally, from camps and workshops around the country, and from recorded and published media. His Hot Licks for Bluegrass Guitar (1985) remains a touchstone for mastering the style.
DCBU administers the Scholarship Program as a $500 award made each year. Our goal is to help a promising student receive instruction that he or she might not otherwise be able to obtain or continue. Applying is easy. Fill out an application form (linked on our website), which includes space for you to identify an instructor (in the case of individual lessons over a period of time) or a music camp (for a short period of more immersive instruction and jamming). If you are selected as the year’s awardee, DCBU will contact the instructor or camp to arrange for payment directly to them, up to the amount of $500.
Eligibility extends to applicants age 21 or younger who have been pursuing instrumental and/or vocal expression in bluegrass or old-time music. Awards are limited to residents of Washington, DC, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Selection is based on financial need and on a student’s ability to benefit from his or her chosen instruction. The student’s learning level may be beginner, intermediate, or advanced. Preference will be given to students who have not previously won the scholarship.
Students who wish to apply are invited to submit an application according to the schedule that will be posted each fall on the DCBU website (dcbu.org). The awardee will be notified prior to March, with a ticket to attend the DC Bluegrass Festival. Selection for the award is based on the selection committee’s review of all applications, without regard to race, gender, religion, or national origin. The committee’s evaluation is based on two factors:
- Application information (including financial need and the student’s essay)
- A musician’s written assessment of the student’s potential to: 1) benefit from the instruction; and 2) engage more actively within the bluegrass or old-time musical community.
One of DCBU’s services is to maintain a listing on our website where instructors are welcome to provide their contact information. DCBU is not affiliated with any of them, nor does the scholarship program favor any of them in reviewing student applications. DCBU does have an affiliation with Common Ground on the Hill for its Bluegrass and Old-Time Camp, but the scholarship program assigns no favor to applicants who specify that camp.