String Band Summit
Crossing Borders of genre and geography
The String Band Summit is taking place on February 9-12, 2023 hosted by Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music Studies at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City. This event opens space for considering and experiencing string band music across lines of geography, genre, and occupation - learning from the past and creating best practices for the future.
We are excited about the slate of scholar, artist, and educators on the program who will give research presentations as well as style and technique workshops. The concert Friday night in the Culp Center Auditorium, which will feature ETSU students from a variety of backgrounds, mandolinist Mike Compton, and sacred steel guitarist DaShawn Hickman, is free and open to the public, as is the community dance Saturday night in the Culp Center Cave.
Jamming
Jamming is encouraged at this event, and the Culp Center provides many spots to gather. Themed “Jam Stations” (the slow tune jam, the singing jam, the challenge jam, etc.) may be set up throughout the weekend to encourage you to make music with other folks, perhaps in some new directions, and across some lines.
Food
Most meals through the weekend are provided for registered participants. We seek to provide food for all needs, as indicated on the registration form. The Saturday night Reception for Students will be informal, but does serve as an evening meal. In case you are hungry at other times, fast food and other options will be open on Friday, and the ETSU cafeteria will be open through the weekend from 7am-to-midnight each day.
Lodging
The block of rooms at the Carnegie hotel is full; you can still inquire about available space, which is the closest lodging to the conference site: https://www.carnegiehotel.com
- Other housing options close to ETSU:
- Hampton Inn, 508 N State of Franklin Rd, Johnson City, TN 37604 (423) 929-8000
- Quality Inn, 1900 S Roan St, Johnson City, TN 37601 (423) 928-9600
- Boots Off - is a budget hostel - it is 18 miles from Johnson City, so offers Camping, Glamping, and a Bunkhouse in the Pond Mountain Wilderness near Lake Watauga and the Appalachian Trail: https://www.bootsoff.camp/lodging
Parking
Registered Conference attendees: you will receive a PDF parking pass that allows you to park in student, faculty, and undesignated spaces on campus (not in loading zones, fire lanes, etc.). Lots south of the Culp Center (Lots 15a, 15b, and 12, along J. L. Seehorn, Jr. Rd.) are the closest options. Disability parking is available in the driveway between the Culp Center and Sherrod Library off of J. L. Seehorn, Jr. Rd., and in lot 35, just north of the Culp Center. If you are staying at the Carnegie hotel (or elsewhere) you can park in The James and Nellie Brinkley Center Parking Garage and walk across the bridge to the Culp Center.
For local attendees: ETSU does not ticket after 4:30pm and on weekends; at other times, a Visitor Parking Pass allows you to park for free in all student, faculty, and undesignated spaces on campus. Lots south of the Culp Center (Lots 15a, 15b, and 12, along J. L. Seehorn, Jr. Rd.) are the closest options to Summit events. Disability parking is available in the driveway between the Culp Center and Sherrod Library off of J. L. Seehorn, Jr. Rd., and in lot 35, just north of the Culp Center. Request a pass here: https://etsupws.etsu.edu/Parking/Login
Registration
Full in-person registration cost is $150; students attend for free. Online / virtual registration cost is $40. Scholarships available - contact Lee Bidgood to inquire: bidgood@etsu.edu
Registration available here: Registration
Contact Lee Bidgood with questions: bidgood@etsu.edu