Live Music with Berea Bluegrass Ensemble

Description

MONDAY, March 2, 2026 at 7 p.m. in Community Room, we welcome back the Berea Bluegrass Ensemble. One of the most requested groups we feature, the Berea College Bluegrass Ensemble is a professional string band with an eclectic blend of musical sounds. It is one of eleven distinctive Department of Music ensembles students can enroll in for academic credit. The band performs bluegrass standards, traditional Appalachian, old time, and contemporary songs. Berea presents energetic concerts to enthusiastic audiences around the world. Al White, member of the internationally celebrated McLain Family Band, founded the Berea College Bluegrass Ensemble in 2000 and directed it until 2020. Over two decades, the Ensemble has recorded seven CDs and toured Ireland, Japan, Denmark, Hong Kong, and many U.S. states. The band currently comprises of seven students led by Sam Gleaves, appointed as new Bluegrass Ensemble Director. Alumni who have successfully launched musical careers following graduation from Berea College include Jonas Friddle, Darrin Hacquard, Cory Shenk, and Theo and Brenna MacMillan. Sam Gleaves is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist originally from Wytheville, Virginia. He’ll be leading the ensemble on fiddle for our Tuesday night dance and sharing morning songs on Wednesday. He began playing old-time Appalachian music as a teenager, reveling in the beauty of dance tunes, Carter Family songs, and the stories surrounding the music. “Ain’t We Brothers,” Sam’s debut recording, was featured by National Public Radio and the Guardian. Among Sam’s mentors are legendary artists Sheila Kay Adams, John McCutcheon, and Peggy Seeger. Check the online calendar for the most up to date event listings at folkschool.org/calendar Lineup and schedule are subject to change. A donation of $5-15 per adult is suggested for most events, but all are welcome regardless of contribution.