Weed’s Winter Jam Camp
Friday, January 31st – Monday, February 3rd, 2025
SOLD OUT!
Please email Susan to be added to the wait list in case of cancellations.
Weeds’ Winter Jam Camp is a fiddle camp for intermediate and advanced players with a focus on the world of jamming and ensemble playing. This four day/three night camp is taught by John Weed (fiddle), Ryan McKasson (fiddle), Bill Coulter (guitar and flute), and Tyler Weed (guitar, tenor banjo, mandolin) at the UC Hastings Natural History Reservation in Carmel Valley. The music is a combination of Celtic, Old-Time/Appalachian, Canadian, and Nordic. The cost is $450, and includes lodging, food, and all programming.
In addition to teaching repertoire, instructors will actively participate in the jam sessions to help foster a level of playing to ensure the jamming is fun and the groove is strong. There will be two concurrent jams during each jam period, one intermediate and one advanced. We are all about musical interaction, finding the pulse, camaraderie, and respecting and honoring the traditions. Once registered, participants will have access to a folder of learning tempo recordings so that they can arrive with some shared repertoire.
Instruments: While the teachings will focus on fiddle, guitar, tenor banjo, and mandolin, people who play other instruments (woodwinds, flute, harp, bodhran, bouzouki) compatible with these styles are welcome!
Lodging: People can lodge in group housing (mostly rooms with multiple beds) in heated main buildings that have shared bathrooms. There is also ample room (but no hookups) for camper vans and tents; those camping can claim a bed inside the Ranch House to store their belonging, if they’d like. Trailers are not possible because they cannot get through the concrete creek crossings. You can specify lodging preferences (and preferred roommates) on the registration form.
Food: We offer simple breakfasts and lunches, and dinners catered by “A Moveable Feast.” (Campers rave about the dinners!) There is also access to refrigeration and a microwave for those needing to bring their own food.
Location: UC Berkeley’s 2,500-acre Hastings Natural History Reservation will once again host our camp. The site offers beautiful views and ample hiking for those wanting to get out and move around.
Schedule: Camp life is simple: After waking up, eating a simple breakfast, drinking plenty of coffee or tea, taking in the scenery, (early morning bird walk, anyone?) we join our respective workshop classes. We'll be learning tunes, covering ornamentation, discussing jam etiquette, and musicianship as it pertains to ensemble playing. After lunch, we take time to regroup, catch a hike, practice on our own or even find a jam session. Instructors will provide a few “pop-up” classes in the afternoon for different instruments and focus on specific genres or techniques. After happy hour/ late afternoon jamming, we will head to dinner where we will nourish ourselves for an evening of merriment!
Communications: Hastings is in a remote area, so if you do not have AT&T as your carrier, you may not have cell reception. If you do have AT&T, you will likely have to walk up to a certain place at camp to get service. There is good internet, however, and you can set up to use internet-based communication apps.
Covid protocol: We are no longer requiring proof of vaccination, but everyone needs to provide proof of a recent negative Covid test upon arrival. We have a full refund policy if you become sick before camp.
Questions? Send us an email at info@communitymusicschool.org!
John and Tyler Weed jamming with a group of younger participants from the 2024 Weed’s Jam Camp.