After a pared-down but powerful virtual showcase during World of Bluegrass in 2020, the IBMA Foundation is pleased to announce the return of the live Bluegrass College Band Showcase, 8-11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, October 1-2, in Raleigh, NC. The Youth Stage will move to a new location at 420 Fayetteville Street for IBMA’s Bluegrass Live! Powered by PNC festival. The annual two-day festival wraps up a week of World of Bluegrass events including the IBMA Business Conference, the IBMA 2021 Bluegrass Music Awards, and Bluegrass Ramble Showcases.

At press time, student bands from the following colleges and scholarships are planning to participate in the Bluegrass College Band Showcase:

Berea College (Berea, KY)
Colorado College (Colorado  Springs, CO)
Denison University (Granville, OH)
East Tennessee State University (Johnson City, TN)
Eastern Kentucky University (Richmond, KY)
Glenville State College (Glenville, WV)
Bob Jones University (Greenville, SC)
Lawrence University (Appleton, WI)
Morehead State University (Morehead, KY)
The University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill, NC)
Warren Wilson College (Swannanoa, NC)

Fred Bartenstein, president/board chair of the IBMA Foundation, said, “For many of us, one of the most exciting parts of World of Bluegrass week is discovering new and emerging talent at the Bluegrass College Showcase Band Showcase. Don’t miss the chance to see and hear the future of bluegrass music on the IBMA Youth Stage in Raleigh October 1 and 2.”

More details will be announced in the next issue of The Cornerstone, or you can call Nancy Cardwell at 615.260.4807 or email info@bluegrassfoundation.org.

For the latest info on World of Bluegrass events, lodging, and ticketing, go to https://worldofbluegrass.org.

RETURN to the July 2021 issue of The Cornerstone.

Photo above: Eastern Kentucky Bluegrass University Bluegrass Band at World of Bluegrass 2019