About Houston Fiddle Week
Houston Fiddle Week is a camp dedicated to fostering community by learning and performing different styles of music. This year we are offering Irish and Old Time sessions for string players and guitarists.
We are accepting participants ages 13 and up.

2022 Camp Dates and Schedule
Dates and Location
July 25th – 29th, 2022
9am – 2pm
First Cumberland Presbyterian Church
2119 Avalon Pl, Houston, TX 77019
Tuition: $350 + $35 registration fee
Schedule
Tuesday & Wednesday: 2 morning classes, ensemble in the afternoon
Thursday: Morning classes, Special guest workshop with Invoke
Friday: Morning classes, camp participant performances in the afternoon
Sessions
Participants will choose which session they would like to enroll in, and will be grouped by the ability level indicated at time of registration.
Fiddling 101
Irish Fiddling: A Deep Dive
Bluegrass Guitar 101
Learn bluegrass rhythm and lead guitar with Chapman Welch.
Topics covered include chord shapes, picking patterns, capos, and playing with a metronome or backing track. Learn classic bluegrass tunes and shine at your next jam!
All levels welcome!
Artist Workshop Featuring Invoke

Faculty and Staff

Nina Knight
Camp Director

Katie Geringer
Lead Teaching Artist

Ellen Story
Teaching Artist
westernblingmusic.com

Chapman Welch
Teaching Artist
Chapman Welch is a composer, guitarist, and pianist who navigates a number of musical orbits. As a child, he was inspired to pursue music by his brother, Ernie Welch, who had a string of Billboard charting songs backed up by bluegrass luminaries Sam Bush and Jerry Douglas. Chapman spent his adolescence studying classical piano, playing guitar in the Memphis and Nashville rock and roll scenes, all while recording albums in Muscle Shoals with legendary Allman Brothers producer Johnny Sandlin. After years of touring with his band Law of Nature, he returned to school and received a doctorate in music composition and electronic music from the University of North Texas. In recent years, he has returned to his bluegrass roots and was the 2019 Texas Flatpicking champion and a finalist in the 2019 National Flatpicking Championship in Winfield, Kansas. He also performs locally with the bluegrass band New Vintage which includes Houston Fiddle Camp faculty fiddler, Ellen Story. A dedicated teacher, Chapman has taught guitarists of all levels and currently teaches music technology at Rice University and the University of Houston.

Daniel Saenz
Camp Administrator
FAQ
Any string player or guitarist who is interested in learning more about different styles of string playing. This is an intergenerational camp. We do not currently accept students under 13 years old, but may do so in future years.
This year we are thrilled to have a wonderful faculty including Katie Geringer, Ellen Story, Nina Knight, and Chapman Welch.
July 25-29, 2022
First Cumberland Presbyterian Church
2119 Avalon Place
Houston, TX 77019
Registration fee: $35
Tuition: $350
Tuition includes a camp t-shirt.
6-10 students in each class.
Classes are divided into ability levels and by style! Participants choose between Blue level and Green Level.
Blue Level (Combination of Irish and Old Time):
Ages 13 and up + Adults
Instruments: Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass
Proficiency (Beginners defined as those who can hold their instrument, bow, and feel comfortable playing the D, G, and C major 1 octave scales.)
Reading: Music reading is recommended but not mandatory
Students must bring their own instrument, as no instruments will be provided.
Green Level (Students can choose between Irish and Old Time Concentrations):
Ages 13 and up + Adults
Instruments: Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass
Proficiency (Intermediate to Advanced playing ability)
Reading: Music reading is recommended but not mandatory
Students must bring their own instrument, as no instruments will be provided
9:00 – 2:00
The full schedule will be released in April 2022
On the last day of camp there will be a performance including all camp participants and faculty.
Unfortunately, unforeseen events happen. We are unable to reimburse you for any missed days since our instructors are hired several months ahead of time.
Please bring your instrument, rock stop (cello and bass), pencils, notebook, and a “ready to learn” attitude!
Participants are also encouraged to bring their own lunches as there will not be time to eat out between sessions.
Music reading is recommended but not mandatory. Students will be learning tunes by ear, and are encouraged to record the tunes during class for reference.
Notation will also be provided to aid students in practicing and remembering the tunes after class
Participants must bring their own instruments.
That’s why we are here! Maybe you are a total beginner or maybe you are a professional music who just wants to learn a new style. This camp is all about learning new styles and techniques. All are welcome!
This year we are offering Irish and Old-Time.
Participants are encouraged to record the instruction. Since we will be teaching the music by ear, it can be very useful to have a recording to go back and reference.