Once again in 2016, Dreadnoughts Unlimited will award need and age-based scholarships to attend the Steve Kaufman Acoustic Kamps in Maryville, TN. These week-long residence workshops offer intensive, hands-on music education for bluegrass and old time musicians looking to up their game. And thanks to the work of Harry Moore and Dreadnaughts Unlimited, more than 50 deserving pickers have been enabled to attend free of charge or on partial scholarship.
A simple, 3-page application is all that is required to be considered for a scholarship. For 2016, they must be postmarked by March 21. All submissions are then reviewed by an expert panel of noted musicians who request to remain anonymous. Harry says that the number varies from year to year, but he refers to them as “his Secret Seven.” They choose the annual recipients based on the funds available each year.
Moore launched this process 15 years ago and manages the scholarship himself.
“We started Dreadnoughts Unlimited in 2001 to provide a method for folks who wanted to attend Steve Kaufman Acoustic Kamp and learn how to pick but couldn’t afford it.
That first year, we raffled off a Martin D-18 to raise enough funds for a scholarship. The winner of the drawing gave the guitar back to us, and we raffled it again in 2002. In 2003, we got a guitar from Mario Proulx and in the years after that, we’ve raffled off acoustic guitars from Bourgeois, Gallagher, Martin, and several hand-built guitars by Seth Naugler of Bucks County, PA, as well as a custom-built ‘DUCaster’ electric guitar by Steve Dikkers of Gutenburg, IA, and a mandolin from Brian Ison of Springfield, MO. Most of the instruments are donated, either by the luthiers or by ‘friends of Steve Kaufman’s Acoustic Kamp.’
We’ve also received individual donations aside from the drawings, and for the last several years, the Kampers have donated for a ‘Krystal run’ by Keith Yoder. Keith collects money and orders up to 600 Krystal burgers with fries and ‘One large drink with 600 straws,’ and makes a midnight run to pick up the order. This activity draws in more participation each year, and generated as much in funds as the drawing did this year.”
The Dreadnoughts Unlimited scholarship application can be downloaded online.
This year a Collings OM1 varnish-finished guitar has been donated for raffle. For information on how to purchase tickets, or to make a donation to the Scholarship Fun, contact Harry by email.
What a fun way to raise money for such a worthwhile effort.
