This summer, PRS Guitars’ founder and managing general partner, Paul Reed Smith, and the Grainger Brothers will fulfill a lifelong dream at Maryland Hall: opening a music school for aspiring musicians. The Music Master Classes for Aspiring Musicians is a six-day music intensive for ages 12 to 100. Session directors Greg Grainger, Gary Grainger, and Paul Reed Smith – along with special guest teachers and artists including Dennis Chambers – will guide aspiring musicians through a legendary week of Master Classes this August 19 to 24.
Open to all skill levels and instruments, the Master Classes will delve into three main tracks: rhythm, harmony, and melody. Students will learn from professional musicians, grow their knowledge of music, gain hands-on experience and expand their skillsets. The six-day event includes five days of Master Classes and a final Performance Showcase Day. The Showcase will feature some of the students who have shown skills, growth, and dedication.
The Paul Reed Smith Band, of which Smith and the Grainger Brothers are members, introduced their Master Class model at Maryland Hall last December. Young guitarist Nathan Wickham of the band Annapolis Revival said of the experience, “Paul Reed Smith’s emphasis on rhythm made a lot of sense with the lessons he gave. Thank you!”
While the Maryland Hall Master Class Program is a new offering, Paul and the Grainger Brothers have been teaching music in schools for over 20 years. With Assemblies and Motivational Clinics at Severn High School, Bowie High School, Washington College, and numerous other schools and facilities, Smith continues to “give back” and teach area youth whenever he can.
