Black Mountain Music Festival

08/15/2025

A NEW CLASS OFFERING! For those interested in the Scheitholt! This will be an elective class offered at 1:00-1:45pm each day. The class will be taught by Jack Ferguson; a luthier by trade with almost 20-year’s experience building, performing and teaching. His dulcimers and flutes are shipped world-wide to customers with all levels of experience. Jack is well-known for his use of Dogwood and other reclaimed Virginia Appalachian hardwood. He was recently named one of the Best Dulcimer Builders from Virginia by dulcimer.net. Originally named Appalachian Flutes and dulcimers, Jack now operates under the name, Jack Ferguson Designs.

Scheitholt Tuning and Playing:
Learn how to tune, and play, the 8-string Scheitholt. The Scheitholt/Hummel design provides a combination of fretted, or stopped, strings, and open drone strings. This class will demonstrate how to tune the Scheitholt, and how to choose the drones best suited for the preferred sound. Scheitholts of all makes and models are welcome. Jack will also have a couple extra instruments available for anyone wishing to learn how to play.

07/17/2025

UPDATE INFO ON REGISTRATION
Some of you have noticed we had to close about 12 classes. In one sense that's wonderful! We're having an amazing enrollment! But I wanted to make sure everyone understands where we are. We have limited space and all of the classrooms aren't the same size. After 10 years I have a good idea of where the classes will have to meet after they get to a certain enrollment. So, as a precaution, we close classes.

B-U-T.....before the festival begins there are cancellations and after the festival begins there will be class changes. SO - you can still register even if your first selection is closed. You can't select your first choice online but there's a better than 50/50 chance you'll have that option once we get settled after opening day. All that to say...Please let me know if you have any registration questions and we'll work to make sure everyone is as happy as possible. [email protected]

I just don't want anyone to miss this - we're going to have a blast!

🤟😎

07/11/2025

Miracles happening!! ❤️❤️

06/30/2025

ROOM/BOARD REGISTRATION IS OPEN!! Here's the link!

https://blueridgeassembly.org/bmmf2025/

06/26/2025

YMCA BLUE RIDGE ASSEMBLY ROOM/BOARD REGISTRATION WILL START JUNE 30!! Here's a link: https://blueridgeassembly.org/now-registering/

You will notice that the registration for our festival isn't active yet. It will be on JUNE 30 (Monday). The YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly has been doing some AMAZING things in gettinge ready to get back to full operation. The campus and staff are always so wonderful and we're SO fortunate to be a part of their schedule. So, MONDAY, JUNE 30 - when the link is live, it's live. If I get an official time I'll let you know. :)

If you are having trouble registering, please fill out the printable form at the top of your event’s registration page. After filling out the form you can scan and email the form to [email protected], or you can fax it to our guest services team at 828-669-5147.

06/17/2025

FIRST! THANK YOU! The registration is going amazingly well! There are a few classes on the borderline for closing. But right now, all classes are still available.

But to answer THE MOST ASKED QUESTION...Room/Board registration will hopefully begin NEXT WEEK! The target date is JUNE 25. Literally the second we're open for that registration we will let you know. We'll post here as well as sending out an email to our mailing list. If you aren't on that list you can send us an email at [email protected] to get on the list.

This is going to be so much fun! We have a few surprises lined up and I can't wait to see you all there! ✌️😎

05/28/2025

Hi Evereyone! Just wanted to share some VERY exciting news from the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly. It's happening ya'll!! Can't wait to see all of the new stuff in October. It'll be like staying at a new venue! Take a minute to watch this... ✌️😎

04/23/2025

Hi All! Well, what a first week of registration! So exciting to see so many initial registrations. More people than we had TOTAL on year One! And, BTW, have I mentioned this is year TEN?!! We hit double digits! The big 1-0!! So, we're working on some extra special things to celebrate that milestone. So far there are no class closures but we're getting close on a few of them. Also, I'm looking forward to starting the room/board registration with the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly sometime in June. But, if you're making other plans you might want to make them ASAP. That time of year is super busy in the Black Mountain area. You could possibly get a better rate this time of year as well. I believe we're almost caught up in our responses to those who've registered. But, if you still haven't heard from me let me know. [email protected] Again, we're getting VERY excited about this year's festival. Looking forward to seeing YOU there! 😎

04/08/2025

Hi Everyone! I was saddened to recently hear of the passing of one of our very loyal and supportive BMMF family, Patricia Parmley. After speaking with her family, we are offering a FULL scholarship - Class registration as well as room and board. So, an all inclusive package. We would like to direct this scholarship to someone who would never be able to attend if this were not being offered. So, if you or someone you know would like to reach out and be considered, please contact us at [email protected]

Registration for classes will probably begin next week. But, we won't close a class for whomever gets this scholarship. April 22 will be the last day we take inquiries - that's TWO WEEKS FROM TODAY (4/8/25). ❤️

04/03/2025

HEADS UP!! Just wanted to let everyone know that CLASS registration will start soon! If you'd like to stat planning your class schedule you can see the updated class descriptions here - https://www.blackmountainmusicfest.com/classes

The YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly has been working tirelessly to get ready for a limited opening this summer and to be in (pretty much) full-swing when we arrive this fall. So, the registration for room/board at the Assembly will start in June.

It's happening! Let's get excited! 😎

Questions? - [email protected]

Mountain dulcimer, hammered dulcimer, ukulele, and Native American flute classes for the Black Mountain Music Festival.

01/08/2025

Hi everyone! So...guess who's having a festival at the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly OCTOBER 11-16???? WE ARE!!! I cannot tell you how excited I am to be able to make this announcement! So, here's how it will work. Even though a few of last year's staff (understandably) made alternate plans because of the uncertainty of the possibilities for this year, most of last year's staff are still available for this year's festival. So, we'll be announcing the roster and classes in the not to distant future. Many of the classes will be the same as last year. But there will be some new offerings. The Blue Ridge Assembly has been VERY busy rebuilding some of the damaged buildings on campus. For those returning to BMMF there will definitely be some changes at the Assembly as far as asthetics. They're in a process that will most likely take years to complete. But the beauty and professionalism we've come to know and love about the Assembly will be unchanged. We're working to have everything up and running for registration by the second week in April. We'll certainly have class descriptions out for preview prior to the registration. So, stay tuned and GET EXCITED!! 😎❤️

11/27/2024

Hi Everyone! Something I've been watching online for some years now is the Christmas show from our very own Rick Thum! If you're looking for something entertaining to watch that gets you in the holiday spirit this is definitely the ticket!