The Handmade Music School

10/08/2026

We had an amazing time last night at our first Handmade From Scratch: Old Time Ensemble class!

These classes are designed for adult beginners with an interest in fiddle tunes and playing in a jam setting. In our first meeting, we learned Old Joe Clark with Mac, Jared, and Isak, and finished the night with a jam!

Our next Old Time Ensemble class is on October 14th at 6:30pm. There is still time to get registered for the remaining three classes!

Register here: https://handmademusicschool.opus1.io/w/handmade-from-scratch-adult-classes

10/08/2026

Tune in to RadioIQ on this FRIDAY, October 9th, for a chance to hear the first segment of our Handmade Music School Songbook Project Public Radio Series!
Over the summer, HMS students had the opportunity to interview our dear friend and musical legend Alice Gerrard, and this segment, called “Buffalo Gals,” featuring the banjo playing of Pulaski County’s own Matokie Slaughter, will air on October 9th on RadioIQ. You can catch the interview at 6:45am and 8:45am on Morning Edition and at 5:45pm on All Things Considered. This Radio Series project, produced with the help of project partner / reporter Kelley Libby is part of our larger Songbook Project, funded by the Virginia Humanities, to facilitate our students creating and producing a collection of songs and tunes they have learned at the Handmade Music School, in addition to amazing opportunities like these radio interviews!

Full list of RadioIQ coverage stations here: https://www.wvtf.org/frequencies-coverage-maps

HMS SONGBOOK PROJECT LAUNCHES WITH RADIO SERIES! October 8, 2026 / News Tune in to RadioIQ this FRIDAY, October 9th, for a chance to hear the first segment of our Handmade Music School Songbook Project Public Radio Series! Over the summer, HMS students had the opportunity to interview our dear frien...

10/02/2026

There's still time to register to join us for an Old Time Ensemble class for ADULT BEGINNERS, starting October 7th at The Floyd Country Store! This class will focus on basic skills on your instrument, playing music with others, and are designed to introduce students to the joys of making music. This time around we're teaching Old Time music for guitar, banjo, and fiddle players - stay tuned for a Bluegrass class in November!

Visit our website to learn more, and to register to join us - come for all four classes, or just drop in for the one(s) that fit your schedule! https://handmademusicschool.org/group-classes/

09/24/2026

Come join us for an Old Time Ensemble class for ADULT BEGINNERS, starting October 7th at The Floyd Country Store! This class will focus on basic skills on your instrument, playing music with others, and are designed to introduce students to the joys of making music. This time around we're teaching Old Time music for guitar, banjo, and fiddle players - stay tuned for a Bluegrass class in November!

Visit our website to learn more, and to register to join us - come for all four classes, or just drop in for the one(s) that fit your schedule! https://handmademusicschool.org/group-classes/

09/18/2026

We love our Youth program, and if you've been watching our page recently you know we're also kicking off another session of Kari's Joy Jammers for our youngest learners, AND a teen program for students who have grown beyond the Youth Stringband Program. We wouldn't want to leave out adults, though!

Come join us for an Old Time Ensemble class for ADULT BEGINNERS, starting October 7th at The Floyd Country Store! Visit our website to learn more, and to register to join us - come for all four classes, or just drop in for the one(s) that fit your schedule! https://handmademusicschool.org/group-classes/

09/17/2026

We can't wait for Kari's Joy Jammers tomorrow!!! Come join us with Kari and Heart of the Child Music Education as we start our FALL classes! These FUN and developmentally appropriate classes are held Friday mornings at 10:30 am at The Floyd Country Store for children under the age of 6. Visit our website to learn more and enroll to join us - or drop in tomorrow morning and we'll get you set up!

09/16/2026

Richie Stearns & Rosie Newton will be with us this Saturday, September 19th! Join them for a special Handmade Music School Fiddle & Banjo Duets Workshop at 3PM and Floyd Country Store concert at 7PM! Show Tickets and Workshop Registration here: https://www.floydcountrystore.com/event/richie-rosie