we're busily working on the 2023 schedule.
please check back in the new year. until then, check out our offerings from last year.
please check back in the new year. until then, check out our offerings from last year.
2022 PRELIMINARY DAILY SCHEDULE
(subject to change)
SCROLL DOWN FOR WORKSHOP AND EVENING DESCRIPTIONS

About the Northeast Heritage Music Workshop Program
Each year we bring back favorite workshops and add new experiences to keep camp both familiar and fresh. This year, to get us all back into the joy of playing together, we will feature 4 band classes across different genres. We have classes with paired or switching faculty to give campers a chance to learn and play with more of our instructors. Of course there will still be genre-and-instrument specific sessions, and support for more novice players. Our famous 4th Period “Workshop Row” will have both faculty and camper offerings, so note the topics already planned, knowing there will be lots more to come. The schedule also includes discussion time on various “heritage” topics along with jamming, faculty concerts, open-mike and informal performances, the Crankie, campfire, and our usual hijinks.
Some classes will be for players at any level. ”Entry-level” classes are beginning players. “Intermediate” classes focus on learning by ear, with space and help to get the tunes under your fingers. “Advanced” classes are for experienced players who want to push their musical skills to the next level. At NHMC there are many options to help you find your perfect recipe of classes for a great musical experience.
About the Workshops
First Period
Second Period
Third Period
About the Evening Program
Evenings at NHMC feature a host of offerings to give folks more time to make music, enjoy the talents of our faculty and fellow campers, and to connect with one another. Following the day’s workshops there is free time to relax and unwind, followed by hosted jam sessions in which a faculty will facilitate jam sessions in a variety of styles throughout the week. We’ll offer both relaxed-pace and higher-speed jams each day. It’s common for more advanced players to join slower jams to pick up new tunes and styles, and for beginning players to join faster jams to push their ears and fingers; the speeds simply indicate how quickly you can expect the tunes to go by. After dinner, we mix up the program with faculty concerts, camper open-mics, songs around the campfire, or other adventures. You are, of course, always welcome to take some time out to recharge. After the formal evening schedule ends, informal jamming can continue into the wee hours.
Each year we bring back favorite workshops and add new experiences to keep camp both familiar and fresh. This year, to get us all back into the joy of playing together, we will feature 4 band classes across different genres. We have classes with paired or switching faculty to give campers a chance to learn and play with more of our instructors. Of course there will still be genre-and-instrument specific sessions, and support for more novice players. Our famous 4th Period “Workshop Row” will have both faculty and camper offerings, so note the topics already planned, knowing there will be lots more to come. The schedule also includes discussion time on various “heritage” topics along with jamming, faculty concerts, open-mike and informal performances, the Crankie, campfire, and our usual hijinks.
Some classes will be for players at any level. ”Entry-level” classes are beginning players. “Intermediate” classes focus on learning by ear, with space and help to get the tunes under your fingers. “Advanced” classes are for experienced players who want to push their musical skills to the next level. At NHMC there are many options to help you find your perfect recipe of classes for a great musical experience.
About the Workshops
First Period
- Quebecois: Crooked and Unusual Tunes (Laura Risk): Laura will teach more challenging tunes to add to your Quebecois repertoire. For all instruments, though there will be some additional time to support Quebecois styling and fiddle technique.
- Contra Tunes Through the Decades (Max Newman): Time travel with Max through some of Contra’s most memorable music, from the early classics to the tunes on the dance floor today, melody and accompaniment. For all instruments.
- Unforgettable Irish Jigs and Reels (Becky Tracy): Sharing great tunes is Becky’s forte. Fiddles and other instruments will learn how to play them “the Irish way.”
- Accordions: Working Both Hands Together (Jeremiah McLane): Jeremiah’s focus will be bringing melody and chord/rhythm together to take playing on the accordion to the next level.
- Work Songs Across the Tradition (Nicholas Williams): Nick will teach songs traditionally used in the daily life of communities from Quebec to Great Britain. For all voices.
- Solidifying Your Rhythm for Backup players (Yann Falquet) Rhythm is everything and Yann will teach several approaches to making the most out of your backup playing.
Second Period
- Quebecois Band (Laura Risk & Yann Falquet): Join the band for irrepressible, toe-tapping music that transports you to Quebec.
- Contraband (Max Newman & Nicholas Williams): Get ready for a lively mix of musicians and a rocking band experience with music made for dancing.
- Highland Clan Band (Katie McNally) Katie’s band will explore different styles of dance music in the Scottish and Cape Breton tradition.
- French Balfolk Band (Jeremiah McLane & Becky Tracy): Get your band groove on with some fabulous music from Central France and Brittany.
Third Period
- Tunes from the Gaspesie (Laura Risk) Laura will share tunes that emerged from the mix of cultures around Quebec’s Gaspé region and beyond that are part of the larger world of Canadian Francophone music. An intermediate level class for fiddle and other instruments.
- Scottish Highlands to the Ceilidh Trail (Katie McNally): All instruments are invited to join Katie in learning tunes and styling from Scottish and Cape Breton traditions.
- High-Maintenance Irish Tunes (Becky Tracy) This advanced class offers tunes that will challenge your ears and fingers–high maintenance if only to get them up to speed and keep them in your repertoire!
- Trad Fiddle From Scratch (Oliver Scanlon) This entry-level workshop is for novice players and those new to trad fiddle playing. Oliver will guide you to new skills in a small, supportive setting.
- Midsommar Scandi Tunes for Flute & Other Instruments (Nicholas Williams) Nick will offer some wonderful summer tunes for all instruments, with special attention to the flutists in the group.
- Melody for Backup Players (Max Newman) Add some melody to the rhythm and chords on your mandolin, guitar, or other instruments.
About the Evening Program
Evenings at NHMC feature a host of offerings to give folks more time to make music, enjoy the talents of our faculty and fellow campers, and to connect with one another. Following the day’s workshops there is free time to relax and unwind, followed by hosted jam sessions in which a faculty will facilitate jam sessions in a variety of styles throughout the week. We’ll offer both relaxed-pace and higher-speed jams each day. It’s common for more advanced players to join slower jams to pick up new tunes and styles, and for beginning players to join faster jams to push their ears and fingers; the speeds simply indicate how quickly you can expect the tunes to go by. After dinner, we mix up the program with faculty concerts, camper open-mics, songs around the campfire, or other adventures. You are, of course, always welcome to take some time out to recharge. After the formal evening schedule ends, informal jamming can continue into the wee hours.