Blues Week, in its 25^th year at Augusta, is an annual celebration of a classic form of traditional American roots music. This year’s program will reach back to the music’s African origins while also showcasing a roster of some of the finest blues talent on the contemporary scene.

Blues Week coordinator Rich DelGrosso has brought together a stellar roster of master musicians/teachers this year. Joining us for the first time this year will be Louisiana Red [top right photo], teaching Chicago Blues. Blues vocals will be taught by Gaye Adegbalola [top left photo]; Andra Faye [middle right photo] will be teaching blues repertoire for voice, fiddle, and mandolin; and Shirley Smith will be teaching Gospel. Ann Rabson is back this year, along with Daryl Davis [top left photo], Erwin Helfer [bottom right photo], Judy LaPrade and Ian Walters to teach blues piano. Blues harmonica will be taught by Grant Dermody, Joe Filisko [top left photo], and Phil Wiggins [middle left photo].  Stan Hirsch, Eleanor Ellis, Fiona Boyes, Jake Heck, Rich DelGrosso, Rick Franklin, and Joan Fenton will teach a wide variety of guitar styles and techniques. Elijah Wald will teach History of the Blues as well as the Music of Mississippi John Hurt. Fiona Boyes will teach songwriting. Mandolin will be taught by Rich DelGrosso, and blues repertoire for mandolin, fiddle, and voice will be taught by Andra Faye [photo lower right].

The highly talented Roddy Barnes [top left photo], in addition to supporting the blues vocal classes, will be on hand for piano accompaniment and assistance. Richard Smith, “the Spirit of Blues Week,” returns to assist the vocal classes, and he will again organize the bands for the daily Band Labs in the afternoon. Jake Heck gives the Blues Week teens a workout as they organize and support the Teen Bands in their own band lab in the afternoons. The nighttime is Ralph Fortune’s domain as he presides over the electric jams in the Boiler House. Elijah Wald will teach the Music of Mississippi John Hurt and will captivate us all as he presents lectures in the afternoons on a variety of topics, including the History of the Blues. Blues Week coordinator Rich DelGrosso will present daily group sessions, and the Ice House campus pub will host its legendary jams nightly. Concerts, informal sessions, a blues dance, and a Wednesday night “Blues Week Party” will all give students many opportunities to interact with the Blues Week staff. Optional mini-courses will also be available in the evenings on a variety of instruments and styles. It will be an exciting week!

To register, specify “Blues Week” and your main instrument or vocals.
Students will sign up for morning workshops at the orientation on Sunday evening and may choose
from a variety of afternoon offerings each day.

Classes and Staff   Rich Del Grosso - Coordinator Blues Week Class Schedule
What level should I take?
Fiddle/Mandolin, & Vocal Repertoire	Andra Faye
Guitar	Louisiana Red (Iverson Minter)	Chicago Blues
	Eleanor Ellis	Beginning Blues Guitar and Intro to Piedmont Blues Guitar
	Jake Heck	Beginning
	Rich DelGrosso	Intermediate/Advanced Bottleneck Slide
	Fiona Boyes	Blues Guitar
	Joan Fenton	Intermediate Blues Guitar (AM)
	Rick Franklin	Fingerstyle Blues
	Stan Hirsch	Blues Bottleneck Slide Guitar,  Texas Acoustic Blues Guitar
	Elijah Wald	Music of Mississippi John Hurt
Harmonica	Phil Wiggins
	Grant Dermody
	Joe Filisko	Intermediate/Advanced
History of the Blues	Elijah Wald
Mandolin	Rich DelGrosso	Intermediate/Advanced
	Andra Faye (see above class)	Fiddle/Mandolin, & Vocal Repertoire
Piano	Judy LaPrade	Beginning
	Ian Walters	Beginning
	Daryl Davis	Intermediate/Advanced
	Erwin Helfer	Intermediate/Advanced
	Ann Rabson
Songwriting	Fiona Boyes
Teen Band	Jake Heck
Vocals	Gaye Adegbalola       with Roddy Barnes	Blues Vocals
	Shirley Smith	Gospel, Vocal Prep
	Richard Smith	Vocal Prep, Band Lab
	Andra Faye (see class above)	Fiddle/Mandolin, & Vocal Repertoire
Mini-courses (Optional) 6:30pm to 7:45pm Monday through Thursday, unless otherwise noted. Mini-courses cost an additional $45, and some classes may require a small materials fee.
Blues Harmonica Performance	Joe Filisko
Continental Knitting, Beginning	Marlies Barton
Dancing to the Blues	Mike Legett
Gospel Singing	Shirley Smith
Mexican Cooking    (4:30-6:30pm)	R. P. Hale	Minimum age: 16 Materials fee: $25-30