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2019 schedule

Getaway

If you love good music and good fellowship, you'll love the Getaway! Each year we gather for a weekend in the fall at West River Conference Center, on an inlet of the Chesapeake, for a weekend of music-making and fun with old friends and new, including a fine line-up of special guests. One of our friends from California has described the Getaway as a gathering of musicians, with all attendees being just folks, whether they are professional musicians or shower singers. West River Conference Center has heated facilities and flat terrain — a lovely spot with lots of inviting places to jam or sing, from first light to the wee hours. 

Questions?  Contact the Getaway Chair

These Were Our Special Guests In 2019

                                                   

                   Steve Cormier                                                                                       Brian Miller

Steve Cormier was here with his cowboy songs and lots more. Along with his love of northwoods songs, Brian Miller comes with extensive knowledge of the Irish influence on American music. Tim Radford returned from coastal Massachusetts, bringing lots of maritime songs as well as music from his native Hampshire, England. Our good friend Janie Meneely was with us, contributing her wonderful songs of the Chesapeake Bay and more. Guitarist extraordinaire Rob van Sante lent his skill to songs of the British Isles and his own compositions. West Virginia’s singing folklorists, Michael and Carrie Kline, joined us once again with their Appalachian songs and oral history.

                            Tim Radford                                                           Janie Meneely and Rob van Sante                                   Michael and Carrie Kline                                                                                                    

How the weekend goes

The weekend starts off on Friday evening with a pot-luck supper and a big open sing. On Saturday and Sunday we have a full program of informal participatory workshops, mini-concerts, song circles, and jam sessions, with 3 or 4 (and sometimes 5) events occurring simultaneously, so there's always plenty to choose from. Each evening we have sign-up concerts - a chance to show us all what you can do - and lots of spontaneous songfests and jam sessions at all hours. There are CDs and some instruments and crafts for sale, and a silent auction to benefit our scholarship fund. Bring an item to donate and take a different one home!

We're hoping to encourage more folks to bring their kids (or grandkids) and want to plan appropriate activities for them, so do let us know in advance how many children you'll be bringing, and their ages.

Accommodations

50 bedrooms in buildings with heat and AC, up to four bunks in a room (discount offered if you'll take an upper bunk; if you cannot manage one, please let us know). Hot showers. Tents and RVs are OK, but no hookups available. Public gathering areas and some bedrooms are handicapped accessible. Special dietary needs may be accommodated if you let us know in advance. Be sure to let us know if you'd like to be in a "music-all-night" cabin.

Limited kitchen facilities (fridge, freezer, microwave) are available to us at all times. No smoking is permitted indoors

Map of the camp (shows cabin locations)

Directions (goes to the facility's web site, includes driving directions)

2020 Rates and Registration

Overnight Admission

	1 Night	2 Nights	3 Nights
Members	$115	$185	$215
Non-Members	$140	$210	$240
Kids Under 18	Free	Free	Free
Students 18 and Over	$80	$130	$160

Day Admission

To dine at the Getaway buffet you MUST register in advance. When you register for two nights, the fee covers three meals each day and a late-night snack both Saturday and Sunday. A three-night registration gives you an additional night's lodging and breakfast on Monday morning. A one-night registration gives you all meals and snacks on either Saturday or Sunday and, if you wish, a bed on either adjacent night.

Cost should not keep anyone from attending the Getaway. If you need a scholarship or price break, contact Charlie Baum, head of the Scholarship Committee.  If you need to pay in foreign currency, and don't want to register on-line, we may be able to make alternate arrangements - contact Charlie Baum for that as well.

Questions?  Contact Charlie Baum.

What to bring

Along with voices, instruments, and your love of music, bring bedding, pillows, towels, soap, flashlight, and a coffee mug to help save paper. 

What not to bring

• No pets, please.
  
• No alcohol (the facility requests that we not bring alcohol or provide alcohol)
  

The 2019 Schedule

2019 schedule

Previous years schedules

2018 schedule

2017 schedule (pdf, 54K)