SUNY Plattsburgh Bluegrass Club President Emily Mero
Bluegrass is alive and well at SUNY Plattsburgh these days! With the implementation of private lessons and a bluegrass history class provided by a grant from a generous, anonymous donor, there are now many options for learning about this unique American roots music form.
Along with individual instrument instruction and a bluegrass history class is the offering of a scholarship in Bluegrass. The Bluegrass for the Next Generation Project was launched in the summer of 2011. BGNG’s mission is to encourage a lifelong interest in acoustic music, in general, and bluegrass music specifically.
The Bluegrass Club hosts a jam, usually on Sundays, where individuals of any skill level can meet, play, and discuss all things bluegrass. Those interested in learning more about the club can contact its president and resident mandolin player, Emily Mero at emero001@plattsburgh.edu.
Along the way the project has be helped along by dedicated individuals interested in promoting and preserving the music form.
Among these individuals are Dr. Stephen Light, professor of sociology and associate VP for academic affairs, and Tim Hartnett, associate librarian at the college. Steve Light, also a accomplished banjo player, is currently performing with the Bluegrass Gospel Project. Tim Hartnett, also a veteran musician in the Plattsburgh music scene, plays with the group Oh! Betty. Instructors for the individual music lessons are Hap Wheeler (dobro) and Skip Smithson (mandolin).
The multi-award winning and widely respected bluegrass group, The Gibson Brothers, have been enthusiastic donors, advocates, and promoters of BGNG since its inception.
