The IBMA has announced a new seminar for World of Bluegrass Week in Raleigh this year. It’s a band coaching session held in a master class format with Stephen Mougin of the Sam Bush Band.
In addition to his work as guitarist with Bush, Mojo is an in-demand sessions player and producer, and the owner/operator of Dark Shadow Recording, a successful niche recording studio and label in Nashville.
One band will have the chance to have their performance and arrangements critiqued by this top bluegrass pro, before a live audience, on Friday October 3. They are calling this Mojo’s Live Band Coaching, and since it will be held in the Raleigh Convention Center during the weekend Wide Open Bluegrass portion of the annual celebration, there is no registration fee to attend.
Of course the idea behind a master class is to have the teacher examine the student, indicate strengths and weaknesses, and make suggestions in real time for the benefit of both the student, and the rest of the class in attendance. Mougin plans to look at band dynamics, performance technique, rehearsal technique, harmony technique, and musical focus.
This can be a wonderful opportunity for musicians who can handle blunt criticism. Mojo will not only point out issues, but offer suggestions for correcting them.
To submit your group for consideration, you’ll need to email Taylor Coughlin at IBMA with your band web site address, two YouTube links, and your contact information. She asks that you email her at taylor@ibma.org, with the subject line “Mojo’s Live Band Coaching.”
The deadline for submission is July 31, and the selected group will be notified in early August. Taylor also asks that you ensure that everyone in the band is available to be in Raleigh, NC on the afternoon of October 3 before submitting for consideration.
