Alleghany JAM (NC)

AlleghanyJAM

History of the JAM Program in Alleghany

Alleghany JAM is the the original JAM program founded in spring 2000 by Guidance Counselor and traditional  musician Helen White. White’s vision was to enrich the lives of children through active involvement in the music of their community. Through many partnerships over the years, Alleghany JAM has involved more than 1,200 children alone in traditional music and dance education.

About the Program

Alleghany JAM serves an average of over 80 children per semester from all three elementary/junior high schools in  Alleghany County, as well as home schooled children.   Grades third through eighth are eligible with newer classes also available for high school students.  Classes meet at the Alleghany JAM house in Sparta, NC.  Lessons with master traditional musicians include fiddle, clawhammer banjo, guitar, mandolin, bass, singing, dance, band, dulcimer, and ukelele. There is also a traditional arts class where kids learn about additional Appalachian cultural arts.  Students take regular instrument classes twice per week on Mondays and Wednesdays with enrichment focused classes on Tuesdays.  Class fees operate on a sliding scale based on school lunch status.  Instruments are available on loan at no additional cost. Please contact the program director or see their website for more information.

Performance

Throughout the year, advancing JAM students have the opportunity to play at music venues and community events.  All students perform a recital for family and friends at the end of each semester.  Performances challenge the students to attain their highest musical skill level and gives them a taste for what it feels like to be a “real musician.” Each year, the students perform for their family members and the community in December and May.

Enrichment

Alleghany JAM also offers multiple enrichment activities per year such as field trips to festivals, music venues and dances, and many trips to perform at places like Ferrum College’s Blue Ridge Folklife Festival, the Alleghany County Fiddlers Convention, Appalachian State University Fiddlers Convention, The Carterfold, the Mountain Heritage Festival in Sparta, and the Alleghany Jubilee. Other enrichment activities include visiting artist  programs after school.  These experiences help deepen the students’ first hand experience and knowledge of their community’s musical  roots and traditions. Through a partnership with the Alleghany Arts Council, Alleghany JAM also sponsors several programs per year that help expose hundreds of students at Alleghany County Schools to local and regional artists who represent the best in  Southern Appalachian music.

JAM Staff

Current Instructors

Emily Spencer – Banjo, Stringband

Kyle Dean Smith – Guitar, Mandolin, Stringband

Lucas Pasley – Fiddle

Patricia Gardnder – Singing

Kimberly Frazier – Ukelele

Kaylee Wagoner – Bass

Candace Noah

Administration

Maggie Oakes-Chitwood, Program Director

 

Advisory Board

Deborah Sherrill, Chair
Becca Babbit, Co-Chair
Chad Beasley
Harrol Blevins
Dale Caveny
Jack Cahn
Bev Fermor
Beth Lyon-Smith
Linnea Miller
Garrison Wagoner

 

Contact

Maggie Oakes-Chitwood
PO Box 1326
Sparta, N.C. 28675
Telephone: 336-372-5266
[email protected]

Alleghany JAM website

 

Online Lessons from Alleghany JAM Teachers

Pasley’s Lessons Submitted by Lucas Pasley. Includes fiddle, banjo and guitar instructional videos, tab, drills/exercises, and more!

Connect with Alleghany JAM on Facebook


Alleghany County borders the Virginia line and boasts beauty as well as a rich musical heritage and current traditions. Alleghany County is also proud to be the home of notable stringbands and musicians from the early days of country music including: The Red Fox Chasers, Bertie Dickens (old time banjo player), Art Wooten (fiddler with Bill Monroe), Dave Sturgill (guitar builder and banjo player) and Del Reeves of the Grand Ole Opry.

Red Fox Chasers of Alleghany County, NC 


Del Reeves

For more great information about music in Alleghany County, please visit the Traditional Music of Alleghany County website

 

Sponsored By

NC Arts Council