It’s time to plan for an exciting day of traditional music and family fun in Lowell, MA. The Banjo & Fiddle Contest celebrates its 44th event on September 6, 2025 from 10:00AM to 6:00PM.
The event is free for contestants, as well as all traditional music fans who would like to come and listen. Never been to a banjo and fiddle contest before? Bring your lawn chairs and settle in to watch the friendly competition and get in touch with our country’s musical roots.
As always, contestants will be scored by two experienced judges who are highly active in the traditional music community. Guitar accompaniment will be provided upon request, and the morning will include workshops ranging from bluegrassbanjoto old time fiddle. In addition to the contest, informal jams will take place throughout the day.
There will be workshops in bluegrass banjo, old time fiddle and ethnic/bluegrass fiddle.
Jon Gersh, host of WUMB’s Dixie Bee Line radio program, will be our MC.
Registration takes place on-site.
YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO DOWNLOAD, FILL OUT AND BRING THE CONTEST REGISTRATION FORM for Single Contestant or Dual Contestants
Schedule at a Glance
10:00 AM–11:00 AM — Workshops
11:00 AM–12:00 PM — Organized Jam Sessions
11:00 AM–3:00 PM — On-site Registration
12:00 PM–5:30 PM (approx.) — Banjo & Fiddle Contest
5:30 PM–6:00 PM — Judges’ Tally & Prizes Awarded
* Contest will end and the judge tally will begin when the final contestant has performed.
WORKSHOPS: 10:00 AM–11:00 AM
SECRETS OF 3-FINGER BANJO
Instructor: Rich Stillman (richstillman.com/banjoteacher)
WHAT MAKES SCRUGGS STYLE SPECIAL, AND HOW TO GET THAT MAGIC INTO YOUR OWN PLAYING
Earl Scruggs created something special when he put three picks to the five-string banjo. With this seemingly simple combination, he was able to capture not only melodies but vocal phrasing and exotic rhythms, all at the same time.
In this workshop, we'll talk about what makes the 3-finger banjo style unique and talk about some exercises that will let you approach tunes the way Earl did. It's much more than just memorizing a few classic roll combinations. Come to the workshop and expand the way you think about, and play, the banjo.
BLUEGRASS FIDDLE – FILLS, BACKUP & MORE
Instructor: Betsy Green
Learn about jam etiquette, fills & backup with Betsy Green. This workshop may be fiddle oriented, but not instrument specific. Other instruments are welcome to attend!
In addition to her awesome fiddling, Betsy is also an accomplished artist. You can appreciate her artistic style on many of the regions’ festival t-shirts and programming. Check out Betsy's website at betsygreenart.com -- it includes her art, bands she is part of, and upcoming shows!
OLD-TIME BANJO: CLAWHAMMER & FINGER PICKING
Instructor: Jim Bollman
Join Jim as he teaches an Old-time tune using both claw hammer and finger picking styles. Got a vintage banjo? Bring it along and have Jim talk age, origin, and answer questions about your particular instrument!
ROUND PEAK STYLE FIDDLE
Instructor: Jon Anderson (https://www.passim.org/artists/jon-anderson/)
Learn some of the fundamental bowing techniques that underpin the legendary fiddling of Tommy Jarrell, Robert Sykes, Ben Jarrell and others of the Blue Ridge community around Round Peak, North Carolina. We will learn one of the staple tunes of the repertoire, and cover bowing rhythms you can apply to many other tunes of this exciting style.
Jon hopes to be teaching a class on this topic at Passim in the fall.
DEMYSTIFYING YODELING
Instructor: Alan Kaufman
A Workshop For All Those Who Aspire To Yodel. (Yes, it is possible for you to join the ranks of the Yodeling Illuminati 😀)
Learn the basics of yodeling from Alan Kaufman whose yodelling can be heard in an iconic Jimmy Fallon Skit from years past. Now with over 9 million views on YouTube! https://youtu.be/WtPiGYsllos?si=SxQ6O-MQ4n9QLO2F
No prior yodelling experience required!
Join us at Lowell as we explore learning something extraordinary, that with some effort, you can teach your voice to do! ❤️
ORGANIZED JAM SESSIONS
11:00 AM–12:00 PM
Join a hosted jam session, all welcome:
Bluegrass — Hosted by Tim Parke
Old-Time — Hosted by Ben & Sam Bruno
Ethnic — Hosted by Adrienne Howard
At the Banjo & Fiddle Contest, we invite you to come celebrate musical heritage. The repertoire of tunes played during the Contest is what folklorists refer to as traditional music – music practiced by groups of people who share a common ethnic heritage, geographic region, or way of life.
Tunes are shared within families and communities and are passed on over generations.
Location: Boarding House Park, 40 French Street, Lowell.
Rain Location: Merrimack Repertory Theatre, 50 E Merrimack St, Lowell, MA 01852
Directions are available at https://lowellsummermusic.org/pages/faqs
For More Info: Contact us at: info@lowellbanjoandfiddlecontest.org
PLEASE VISIT US ON FACEBOOK FOR THE MOST UP TO DATE INFO!
We are excited to continue this tradition and hope to see you all September 6th.
Support the Banjo and Fiddle Contest!
At the Banjo & Fiddle Contest, we invite you to come celebrate musical heritage.
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