Kruger Brothers Music Academy

for Banjo, Guitar & Bass
North Wilkesboro, North Carolina
May 3-5, 2013


The Kruger Brothers Music Academy is an intensive weekend of masterclass instruction by the Kruger Brothers. Held on the property of the Double Time Studios just southeast of Wilkesboro, NC, the Academy is your exclusive weekend with Jens, Joel, Uwe and Philip, immersed in discussion, instruction, and music. At the Academy you will be challenged to think about what music is, to think about what music means to you, and to learn how to realize those things in your playing. You will emerge a better player, a better listener, and having had an unforgettable experience.

 

Program

The program is designed for players at any level who are ready for the next step in their musical exploration. Instruction will be given in banjo, guitar, and bass technique. Classes will allow students to explore new musical ideas, learn new techniques, and to work with others to develop their overall musicianship. Classes are augmented by masterclass instruction, including commented performance and guided jam sessions.

“The Academy was everything I hoped for and more. As I told the Swiss women making the documentary, this will affect my music making, and mental health, for the rest of my life”
–Charlie Webb

“Our aim for the academy,” says Jens, “is to have a place where people can come and really talk about music. Whether that’s over lunch, in the classroom, during a jam … the music comes first.” It intends to be very different opportunity than you may have experienced through other music camps and workshops.  “People learn music because something grabs them, but it can be hard to find what it is,” says Jens. “It’s more than just what picks you use or where you put your fingers … for me as a child what was amazing was not how music works, but why.”

I haven’t had so much fun in years. … The most significant thing you did was to make yourselves really available to all of us. Your style of teaching is just so kind, helpful and supportive … The mix of teaching, jamming and concerts was great. Looking forward to your next academy!”
–Jim Lewis

Students will meet together each day both as a single group but also in break out groups dedicated to specific instruments. Students are free to attend any session no matter what their main instrument may be; if you’re a banjo player and would like to learn what the bass players are thinking about, then the academy can provide that opportunity and then some.

“I arrived on Friday night with excitement and some nervousness about what to expect. But in true Kruger Form, I headed home on Sunday afternoon with a song in my heart and a greater appreciation for communicating with music.” –Wayne and Cori Merris

“It was a wonderful experience … my only regret was that it ended all too soon.”
–Jack Fetters

Academy Location

All the academy workshops, classes, performances and meals take place on the property of Double Time Studios, nestled in the Brushy Mountains on the edge of the Blue Ridge in western North Carolina, an area that is steeped in musical tradition and cultural history. This is where Junior Johnson began running moonshine, giving rise to today’s NASCAR racing, and where where Tom Dula (the Tom Dooley of the popular song) killed poor Laura Foster and entered musical infamy. Doc Watson is a lifelong resident, Tut Taylor retired here, and also nearby is Union Grove, host to the longest running fiddle convention in America.  Doc Walsh wrote the bluegrass classic “In the Pines” here and Wayne Henderson’s guitar studio is a short drive away.  The music tradition of the area is celebrated at Merlefest, the largest music festival of its kind and held each spring in Wilkesboro.

It is due to the music of the region, coupled with its natural beauty, that the Kruger Brothers chose to settle here in 2003. The albums Forever and a Day and Appalachian Concerto were written and recorded here, and it is where they spend all of their time rehearsing, writing, and playing whenever they are not on the road. Of arriving in this area Uwe has said that “it felt like I was finally touching the ground.” This place, more than any other in the world, has provided much of the inspiration for their music.

Thanks to the Kruger Brothers’ sound engineer Philip Zanon, the studio rooms themselves are state of the art, seemingly in spite of the rural setting, complete with rolling hills, forest, and horses grazing in a nearby pasture. If your image of a music studio is cords running everywhere, narrow hallways, and dark rooms with egg cartons on the walls, then you are going to be very surprised when you arrive here. High ceilings and natural wood frame tall windows that offer views of the surrounding landscape.

Registration

Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. To register, complete the form below and fax to 336-667-2800 or scan and email to office@doubletimemusic.com . Tuition is $790 per participant, with $200 due at the time of registration and the remaining balance due on or before April 12, 2013. The tuition fee covers:

  • Admission to all instructional sessions, workshops and concerts
  • Friday dinner, Saturday Lunch and Dinner, and Sunday lunch
  • Parking at the academy site

Academy Guest
If you plan to attend the academy with your spouse, we offer a special rate of $200 for him/her to attend as an academy guest. Guests are welcome to attend all portions of the academy weekend, including workshops, classes, performances and meals. Please call to register your spouse.

→Registration Form←



 

Accommodation

All students are responsible for securing their own accommodations for the duration of the academy weekend. Rooms at the Hampton Inn Wilkesboro will be offered at a reduced rate to all students, so you should note that you are attending the academy at the time you make your reservation. Note, too, that transportation between the Hampton Inn and the academy site is not provided, so you will be responsible for making your own transportation arrangements.

Hampton Inn Wilkesboro
1300 Collegiate Drive
Wilkesboro, NC 28697
Telephone : 336-838-5000
Fax : 336-838-5110
Email:sales@hamptoninnwilkesboro.com
http://www.hamptoninnwilkesboro.com/

Other accommodation options in the Wilkesboro area include the following:

Graystone Manor
406 Woodland Blvd.
Wilkesboro, NC 28697
Ph: 336-667-7282
Email: info@graystonebandb.com
www.graystonemanorbandb.com

Red Carpet Inn
1206 River Street
Wilkesboro, NC 28697
Phone: 336-667-2176
Toll-Free: 888-667-4001
Fax: 336-838-9103

 

Meals

The weekend are catered on site with lots of healthy alternatives on offer. The Kruger Brothers, after all, is not a band that can tolerate just your average cooking.

 

Yoga

Christa Kruger is a long time yoga instructor, and included in your registration fee is an opportunity to begin each morning with an hour of yoga. Yup, like we said, this is not your average music camp.  If you are a yoga fan, great. If you’ve never tried it before, even better — this will be a chance to get out of yourself a bit, which may be something that can have a lot more impact on your music than you might think.

“The Academy exceeded all my expectations for a great weekend of fun and learning.”
–JoAnn Miner