NEXT CAMP SESSION: NOV. 11, 12, 13, 2011

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IN BEAUTIFUL ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA... OUR 22nd YEAR!!

NEW THIS YEAR: UKULELE CLASSES with Bruce Johnson; SONG STRUCTURE CLASSES with Austin Truax; MENTORED JAMMING with Joe Waller; BOOKING (HOW TO GET GIGS) with Bill and Eli Perras; PERFORMING TECHNIQUES with Brian Smalley. It always seems to us that each year's camp is the best ever. How could they get better every year? They do! The SSAMC is always the second full weekend of NOVEMBER. See You There!

We are Still holding individual adult tuition At ***$175 *** For the Entire Camp, With new lower prices for all kids! Almost all music camps cost many HUNDREDS of dollars more than ours. Check them out. (Compare to the Steve Kaufman camps, for example, that cost EIGHT HUNDRED dollars.) We won't go down that road. We want our camp to remain accessible to those who want to come. In these hard economic times, we offer special pricing: For a couple (spouses, significant others) both of whom want to take classes the basic tuition is $295 total for both, $55 off the individual adult price. When one or both parents register at regular price or the couple register at the discount price, basic tuition for their kids under age 18 is now just $50 each child. Charge for kids under age 18 attending classes without a parent attending classes is $100 (one parent does have to accompany children under 18 to the camp). There is no charge for parents not taking classes accompanying kids attending classes, or for kids not attending classes accompanying parents attending classes. There is no extra charge for camping. Bunks in bunkhouses are available for very low cost. We want you to be able to come to our camp!! OUR HUGE SATURDAY EVENING INSTRUCTOR/SPECIAL GUEST CONCERT IS FREE TO ALL REGISTERED CAMP STUDENTS AND FAMILY ATTENDING THE CAMP. OVER THREE HOURS OF GREAT MUSIC. (CONCERT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AT $15 ADMISSION.) The music camp is a wonderful value! Private lessons in music stores provided by persons who may or may not be qualified or able to teach, and who are very seldom focused on acoustic music, are priced at around $35 per HALF hour these days. A student at the Sunshine State Acoustic Music Camp could potentially receive up to sixteen hours of instruction during the camp weekend, from real experts in acoustic music. Sixteen hours of music store lessons would cost around $1,000 !! In addition, the music camp participant has many opportunities to sit down one-on-one with instructors for specific personal help. Our special Tutoring Area also offers instructors who can help or help the student connect with instructors who can offer personal aid.

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DIRECTIONS TO THE CAMP The SSAMC is held at Boyd Hill Environmental Studies Area, at 2900 31st Street SOUTH, St. Petersburg. In addition to the park entrance sign, there will be a sign by the entrance saying MUSIC CAMP. You will probably come into the Tampa Bay area on Interstate Route 75 (N-S) or Interstate Route 4 (E-W). Both of these major routes intersect with Interstate Route 275, which angles through the area. Follow I-275 on into St. Petersburg. Northbound into the area: Take I-75 north to Exit 228 to merge onto I-275 North. Then take Exit 18 for 26th Avenue South. Follow signs for Gulfport/Stetson Univ/Tropicana Field and merge onto 26th Avenue South. Turn right onto 31st St South. Watch for MUSIC CAMP sign on your left. Turn at sign and enter park. Southbound into the area: Take I-75 south to I-275 South (signs for Tampa/St Petersburg). Proceed through the metropolitan area and across the bay to Exit 19 for 22nd Avenue South. Turn left onto 22nd Avenue South. Turn right onto 31st St South. Watch for MUSIC CAMP sign on left. Turn at sign and enter park. Westbound into the area: Take I-4 west to I-275 South (signs for Tampa/St Petersburg). Proceed through the metropolitan area and across the bay to Exit 19 for 22nd Avenue South. Turn left onto 22nd Avenue South. Turn right onto 31st St South. Watch for MUSIC CAMP sign on left. Turn at sign and enter park. Eastbound into the area: Dock your boat at Petersburg Beach, Florida. Rent a car and drive south on Gulf Boulevard. Turn left onto FL-682 E/Pinellas Bayway. Merge onto I-275 North toward Tampa. Take Exit 18 for 26th Ave South. Turn right onto 31st St South. Watch for MUSIC CAMP sign on left. Turn at sign and enter park. Travelling by air, you will probably arrive at Tampa International Airport, accessing I-275 in Tampa from there to travel southbound into St. Petersburg.

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REASONS TO COME TO THE CAMP

IF YOU ARE JUST STARTING OUT IN MUSIC, it is very important for you to get off to a good start with sound instruction from qualified teachers. Learning the right ways to do things from the beginning will help you avoid developing bad habits you will have to unlearn later, and will speed you on your way to becoming an accomplished musician. If you think it may be too late for you to learn and to have the joy of making music... think again. We have a special program for you, called Never Too Late. Check it out! IF YOU ARE ALREADY INVOLVED AND WANT TO EXPAND YOUR SKILLS, add a new instrument, or learn more about how music works, you need to spend time working with those who know...people who are really qualified to help you move in the directions in which you want to go. A few hours spent with someone who is truly advanced in music can make a world of difference in your musical development. THE SUNSHINE STATE ACOUSTIC MUSIC CAMP offers you the opportunity to spend an entire weekend with expert teachers of acoustic music. These teachers are not like those offering so-called lessons in music store back rooms. They are not celebrities. They are the real experts, focused on acoustic music! The SSAMC offers a stunning array of classes (over 100 sessions in the weekend) in just about every subject imaginable pertaining to making acoustic music (singing, how to play in groups, accompaniment guitar, flatpicking guitar, fingerpicking guitar, harmonica, Autoharp, Dobro, performing, songwriting, and much more).

Florida is famous for her beautiful beaches, but the Sunshine State offers far more than just white sand and blue water. For many years now, musicians--advanced, developing, and beginning too--have gathered annually in the deep green shade of that other Florida, under giant live

oaks in a secluded but well-equipped 100-acre St. Petersburg nature park, to teach, to learn, to trade tunes, and to have a great time together at the Sunshine State Acoustic Music Camp. The camp offers you a great combination of learning and enjoyment. You'll be able to immerse yourself in the sounds of America's acoustic

music; begin or continue developing skills on guitar, fiddle, banjo, harmonica, lap or hammered dulcimer, Autoharp, mandolin, or other instruments; learn how to sing, how to play in a group situation, how to write a song; learn about music theory--and much, much more. Best of all--YOU are invited to join us this year! Every instructor at the SSAMC is a noted musician and a first-rate teacher! Over the years Ernie Williams, Jan Milner, Bob Kogut, J.U. Lee, Donna Klein, Ray Belanger, Sam Owens, Dennis

Devine, Doug Spears, Fred Cantor, Gail Keel, Joe Reina, Elan Chalford, Joe Waller, Doug Spears, Cindy Roy, John Alison, Bruce Ford, Robin Plitt, Lynn Wadley, Carroll Smith, Barry Brogan, Doug Travers, and Bob Rafkin, along with many more, have taught at the SSAMC. Some have been with the project since its beginnings--but new instructors are also invited to join us each year to share what they know. There are over one hundred class sessions in this content-packed weekend! At the SSAMC every student gets plenty of attention. Instructors take time with students, not only in classes, but one-on-one, to help with learning and to pass along the tips and tricks that have made them admired artists.

There is a special tutoring area for those just getting started. Have a question--any question? All you have to do is ask. Camp director Charley Groth is on hand throughout the camp and is always ready, willing, and able to help you with any concern. There's a lot to like at the Sunshine State Acoustic Music Camp. Camping is free, and there are acres to choose from. You can also stay in rustic bunkhouses on site. There are picnic tables and outdoor grills and nature trails.
There's plenty of space for the kids! You'll swear you are miles out in the country instead of in St. Petersburg! There are modern restrooms with showers (lots of hot water). There are motels and restaurants nearby for those who prefer them, and stores as well. And we're close to Florida's gorgeous beaches!
Saturday evening features a huge 3-hour-plus instructor/special guest concert. There are student shows during the lunch breaks. Jam sessions, both planned and spontaneous, almost never stop! (Click on some of the choices in the menu at the top of the page for more information on various aspects of the camp experience.)

Click HERE To Return To Top of Page If you have questions or need additional information about anything on this site, send an e-mail to charleygroth@yahoo.com (click on E-Mail in top menu, or use your own e-mail service).