Help Bring Traditional Music to Our Community’s Youth!

Our Story

Hello, friends and music lovers! We’re the Shiloh Old Time Pickers, a passionate group dedicated to preserving and sharing the joy of traditional old time music in Northwest Arkansas. We’re thrilled to announce an exciting opportunity for local youth: on Saturday, November 15, 2025, renowned musician Gretchen Priest-May from Nashville, TN will host FREE traditional music workshops at the Family Ozark Highlands Nature Center (3400 N 40th St, Springdale, AR). These workshops, from 9:00 AM–11:30 AM and 12:30 PM–3:00 PM, will be followed by an open jam session, welcoming beginners, advanced musicians, and curious parents alike.

Gretchen’s “Hands on Instruments” program is designed to spark a love for old-time and bluegrass music in a fun, inclusive environment. She’ll provide all the instruments in various sizes for kids to try, ensuring everyone can participate. As the founder of the Musical Heritage Center (Fiddle & Pick) since 2008, Gretchen brings a wealth of experience. She’s performed with artists like Kathy Mattea and Lyle Lovett, played on the Grand Ole Opry, and even contributed to a Veggie Tales soundtrack. Her recent accolades include the 2024 Old-time Music Heritage Award from the Nashville String Band Association and leading a 12-piece string band for the “Fiddlin’ Arthur Smith” National Monument unveiling. With her passion for teaching and performing, Gretchen is the perfect guide to inspire our community’s youth.

Why We Need Your Help

To make this incredible day of music possible, we need to raise $1,600 to cover Gretchen’s travel from Nashville and the cost of bringing instruments for the kids. Your donations will directly fund:

• Travel Expenses: [$800] for Gretchen’s round-trip travel from Nashville to Springdale.

• Instrument Provision: [$500] to transport and maintain instruments in various sizes for youth to use.

• Workshop Materials: [$300] for music sheets, teaching aids, event setup and snacks.

How You Can Make a Difference

Every donation, big or small, brings us closer to giving our kids a hands-on experience with traditional music. A $10 donation could cover sheet music for a child, while $50 helps provide instruments for them to play. If you can’t donate, sharing this campaign with your network will help spread the word and inspire others to join us.

A Heartfelt Thank You

On behalf of the Shiloh Old Time Pickers and the kids whose lives will be enriched by this experience, thank you for your generosity. Your support will create lasting memories and foster a love for music in our community. We’ll keep you updated on the event’s success and the joy it brings to our youth.

With gratitude,

The Shiloh Old Time Pickers

Donate now to bring music to our kids, or share this page to help us reach our goal!