Doors: 4:00pm / FREE EVENT
Sunday 17th May 2026Doors: 4:00pm Festival Marquee, Newton Stewart, Scotland
FREE EVENT
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Facilitated by top bluegrass band Goldrush, the bluegrass band workshop is a hands-on experience designed for beginner to intermediate musicians. You will be developing ensemble performance at your level in the traditional bluegrass style. Bring your instruments and voices! Free to attend.
The primary goal is to teach people how to play together, rather than teaching how to play a specific instrument from scratch.
The focus is on learning and improving team work techniques, such as chopping on the mandolin, rhythm on the guitar and double bass, and three-finger rolling and backup on the banjo. We will explore how these work together to form a tight timing groove. This leads into the development of active listening, and how to support other members while they are taking individual solos (breaks). Singing and harmony singing are explored as forming the heart of the genre.
Festival Marquee The Vault Arts Centre 40 Victoria Street Newton Stewart Wigtownshire Scotland DG8 6BT
The Festival Marquee is located in the apple tree garden at the rear of the Trust's live music and performing arts centre, The Vault Arts Centre, in Newton Stewart.
Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival will celebrate its 13th year over 10th-12th July 2026. It's an incredible achievement. The charity has created a viable, sustainable, event that continues to grow and develop, proudly celebrating the very best in traditional Scottish, Irish and World music. Make sure you book early for what is shaping up to be the biggest event yet!