At the heart of the bluegrass music curriculum at South Plains College are the private lessons and the bluegrass ensembles. Each student takes private lessons on the students major and secondary instrument and participates in one or more organized bluegrass ensemble classes. Lessons are offered on banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, dobro, voice, and acoustic and electric bass.

Included in the faculty of professional musicians and educators are outstanding bluegrass musicians with national reputations both as performers and as educators: Joe Car, Ed Marsh, Steve Garner, and Alan Munde.

Joe Carr, teaching mandolin, fiddle, guitar, and bluegrass ensemble classes began his career in 1975 with the Dallas, Texas based group Roanoke and since then has been a member of Country Gazette appearing on three of the groups recorded efforts. Joe has also developed many instructional programs for both Ridge Runner Home Lessons and Texas Music and Video.

Alan Munde, teaching five-string banjo and bluegrass ensemble classes, has been the mainstay of the world-touring group County Gazette and before that performed and recorded with Sam Bush and the pioneering bluegrass band leader Jimmy Martin. Alan is one of the most respected banjo performers and instructors and is included in the book Masters of the Five String Banjo.

Joe Carr and Alan Munde's most recent accomplishments are the publication of Prairie Nights to Neon Lights: The Story of Country Music in West Texas published by the Texas Tech University Press and the release of a CD Windy Days and Dusty Skies for the Flying Fish label. They tour throughout the United States, performing and conducting educational workshops.

Ed Marsh who teaches fiddle, music theory, and bluegrass ensemble classes, joined the faculty at South Plains College in 1978. Ed has developed instructional programs on fiddle, violin, acoustic bass, and electric bass for Texas Music and Video. He has also worked extensively as a recording engineer and producer in the bluegrass field with such artists as Stuart Duncan, Ron Block, Mike Bubb, Charles Sawtelle, Butch Baldassari, David Grier, and of course, Joe Carr and Alan Munde.

Steve Garner, teaching bass, banjo, guitar, and bluegrass ensemble classes, came to South Plains College in 1987 to enroll as a student and polish his musical skills. He was soon called upon to teach guitar and banjo. In 1989, Steve joined Country Gazette as bassist. His teaching responsibilities soon expanded to include bluegrass upright bass, bluegrass ensembles, and a Western Swing ensemble. Steve has developed an advanced bluegrass bass instructional program for Texas Music and Video, has participated in many other instructional video projects, and is a regular contributor to Banjo Newsletter.

Besides time spent in the lessons and ensemble classes, the student groups participate as representatives of SPC in many outside performance situations, such as bluegrass festivals, civic clubs, senior citizens centers, and at many community functions.

In addition to the bluegrass classes, courses are offered in song writing, music theory, arranging, history of country and bluegrass, studio recording techniques, music promotion, plus private lessons and ensemble instruction in electric country and pop music styles.

The Creative Arts Building, that houses the Bluegrass program, also is the home for the Sound Technology program, Commercial Music, and the Performing Arts Technology program. These programs boast the Tom T. Hall Production Facility with two professionally equipped video studios and a 24-track audio studio, the Waylon Jennings 24-track studio, a new 8-track, digital studio, three fully equipped country ensemble rehearsal halls, a specially designed and equipped Bluegrass Learning Center, an audio and video listening and viewing lab, several private rehearsal rooms, a synthesizer lab, and a video and audio library.

Students from all over the world come to Levelland, Texas and South Plains College to immerse themselves in and learn the fine art of bluegrass music from the exceptional faculty of professionals at the finest bluegrass teaching facility in the world.

CM 1236, Bluegrass Performance Ensemble - These ensembles are designed to be as close as possible to a full performing bluegrass unit, doing both vocal and instrumental music. Student selections for the master "Bluegrass Models" tape(s) form the curriculum for the course. From time to time and as scheduling permits, groups perform for various functions outside the school, (civic organizations, schools, arts fairs, etc.) Placement is by audition. Instructors: Alan Munde, Steve Garner.

CM 1236, Bluegrass Instrumental Ensemble - This ensemble is designed to develop bluegrass instrumental repertoire and improve playing techniques. The ensemble is open for all instruments. The curriculum for the class is the four volumes of Festival Favorites recordings by Alan Munde, and is open to all but very beginning players. Instructor: Alan Munde.

CM 1236, Bluegrass Vocal Ensemble - This ensemble will introduce the basic concepts of bluegrass harmony singing with an emphasis on practical application. Bluegrass singers (or non-singers) of all levels are encouraged to participate. Instructor: Joe Carr.

CM 1236, Bluegrass Studio Ensemble - Using SPC's 8-track recording studio, students will gain knowledge of the music recording process, alternating between learning appropriate studio setup/operation techniques and actually playing in the studio. Recordings will be made at each meeting of the class. This ensemble is open by audition. Instructor: Ed Marsh.

If you are interested in a scholarship please send a cassette tape with three songs that demonstrate your particular vocal or instrumental talent to Alan Munde or Joe Carr at South Plains College.