The Sandbridge Community It's a new year and it's time to open up registration for Fall Sandbridge. Who wants to take a walk on the beach? We are dreaming of dipping our toes in the ocean and hoping that at least some of us can meet at the beach this fall and share music together. We'll party like it's 2019! But only if it is safe...we've all gotten used to Zoom now. Yes, there are many advantages—like noodling during class, and no extra fee for spouses to attend. And for those of you who would prefer to zoom, zoom is here to stay. But we are cautiously hoping that we can start enjoying the sun, sand, good food, laughs, and music together in the fall! It is a testament to Sandbridge that 180 people attended “Zoom” Sandbridge in 2020. However, we know most of us are ready to get back to holding Sandbridge in person. Speaking on behalf of Laurie and ML, we treasure the Sandbridge community, the countless experiences we have shared and the enduring friendships that have been born and fostered at Sandbridge and beyond. Sandbridge is so much more than music! To get back to Sandbridge in-person, we will adapt to changing conditions. But we have formulated a plan to get back. And that plan will likely evolve. Your comments are welcome. Please respond to Ken, ML and Laurie directly. Let’s do it!
Fall Hybrid Model We are opening registration for Fall Sandbridge now. Our current plan is a hybrid model. Zoom is here to stay. But we also want to get back to sharing music in person! We recognize that the world could look quite different in nine months. We hope that by late summer, the vaccine will be widely available. We hope that most of us will have been vaccinated. More on that below. We are delaying the dates when deposits and full payments are due. As everything continues to evolve, we will strive for flexibility.
Proof of Vaccination To safely return to an in-person Sandbridge, based on current information, we are going to require proof of vaccination. Everyone who gets vaccinated gets a vaccination card. We request that you take a picture of this card and send it to kenkolodner (@) aol.com and laurie.mccarriar (@) gmail.com You must complete your vaccination sequence (if you are required to have two shots, you need both).
Housing We have reserved 'Laurie's house' (Beachy Keen) and the main house (Ocean Front Villa). We anticipate being able to accommodate 13-15 participants (plus spouses/partners). If there is enough interest for the in-person Sandbridge component, we may rent another house but only once we are sure it is safe to do so. It could be a decision that we make in late summer based on enrollment and the ability to get vaccinated. We are only going to go forward with an in-person component if it is safe to do so.
Politics vs science As you all know, we have a ‘no politics’ rule at Sandbridge. In my view, following the science has nothing to do with politics. If you do not plan on getting vaccinated, that is (of course) your choice. We recognize that the requirement to be vaccinated will upset some of you. You may view this as unfair and imposing our values on your choices. We make no judgment on your choice. We certainly welcome you to attend Sandbridge via Zoom. However, we have a responsibility to do what we understand to be safest for all of us at least as we understand things currently.
Note from Ken: For those of you do not know, I received a doctorate in 1985 from The Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. (Hopkins compiles the Covid stats). While I toured playing music through the late 1980’s and for the next 30 years or so, I worked as a consultant part-time as an epidemiologist/biostatistician (read more here). I’ve been out of the field for years, but I stay current on the science. I do not see a 'Plan B' to get out of the pandemic nor an alternative to attend Sandbridge safely unless we are all vaccinated. This will hopefully eventually change. Our plan is to follow best public health practices. If you would like to discuss your reservations about the vaccines, feel free to contact me.
Fees For the fall, we may very well have a smaller in-person Sandbridge than we normally have. The price for Zoom will be the same as it was in the Spring ($650). The in-person price will be $1250 for a private room. For 2 participants sharing a room, the per person fee is $1000. The guest fee for a one bed private room (bring a non-playing partner/spouse) is $450. The price for in-person Sandbridge includes food, lodging and the workshop.
Early arrival on Saturday is available for an additional fee-check it out and pay HERE.
Scholarships Not surprisingly, Sandbridge received very few contributions to the scholarship fund in 2020. However, due to the generosity of so many of you, we still have plenty of dollars available for a rainy day. If you need help, please do not hesitate to request a scholarship. The awarding of scholarships has nothing to do with your level of play. We base scholarships solely on need. We also have youth scholarships to encourage younger players to attend and enrichment scholarships to bring in players who would enhance our experience.
Early bird discount For several reasons, we are not offering an early bird discount for the fall. First, housing costs went up around 15%. Second, the current plan is to accept less participants since we have rented only two houses. Third, our deadlines have been pushed much later to allow time for most of us (hopefully) to be vaccinated. Lastly, Ken is taking a risk by renting a house.
Deadlines/fees – Fall Zoom May 15 – deposit due for fall Sandbridge - $350 – non-refundable and non-transferrable July 15 – balance due of $300 Total fee = $650 – spouses/partners free (ha ha!!) (Payments must be net of fees.)
Deadlines/fees – Fall In-person The current maximum is 13-16 participants unless we get a third house. We will not be able to make that call until at least the spring.
May 15: Deposit due for in-person fall Sandbridge - $350 (add $100 for spouse/partner) – non-refundable July 15: Balance due of $900 (add $350 for spouse/partner) The full fee is $1250 ($350 deposit + $900 balance) and $450 for spouse/partner ($100 deposit + $350 balance) Cost for participants sharing room: $1000 each Spouse/partner fee: $450 (Payments must be net of fees.)
Refund Policy For Zoom, after May 15, deposits are non-refundable. After July 15, all payments are non-refundable. For in-person Fall Sandbridge, deposit is non-refundable after May 15. The full fee is non-refundable after July 15. The exceptions include the following: (1) If due to changing conditions, we are not permitted to go forward with an in-person Sandbridge, you will have the option to enroll in zoom and will receive a full refund minus the cost of Zoom ($650). This is highly unlikely to happen. (2) If we do not have space, you will have the option to enroll in zoom and will receive a full refund minus the cost of Zoom ($650). (3) Alternately, if either of those conditions (#1 or #2 above) apply and you do not wish to enroll in zoom, we will refund all but your deposit of $350.
Deposits and payments are non-refundable and non-transferrable from IN-Person to Zoom If you sign up for the IN-PERSON Sandbridge, you can not transfer your deposit from IN-Person to Zoom unless we find a replacement (as of May 15) OR if it is not safe to hold Sandbridge. We have to secure housing at considerable cost by May 15. You may transfer your deposit and additional fees from Zoom to IN-PERSON if we have space. Your deposit will not be refunded. If you have paid in full, you may not transfer payments from IN-PERSON to Zoom after July 15. Deposits are not refundable under any circumstance.
Vaccination status As people are vaccinated, please notify us. If you know when you are going to get vaccinated, please notify us. Everyone needs to notify us by July 15. Please send proof of vaccination by taking a picture of your card and emailing it to Ken.
Please understand that this is complicated to plan. We all need to be flexible and work together as a community. We will figure it out!
Let’s go!
[Upon registration, you will be directed to a form to sign for the following - if you are Zooming, there is no need to sign the waiver! The waiver applies only to in-person attendance.] RELEASE AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY I release, indemnify and hold harmless Ken Kolodner and “The Team” (Laurie McCarriar & Mary Lynn Michal, and all others in his employ and or his agents) from and against any and all liability, claims, demands, losses, damages, injuries, illness and causes of action whatsoever, arising out of or related to any loss, damage, illness (including COVID-19) or injury, that may be sustained by me and/or the undersigned, while in or upon the premises known as The Sandbridge Hammered Dulcimer Retreat (including all property and land) and/or any other premises used by me under the direct or indirect control, occupancy, use and or supervision of Ken Kolodner (as well as others associated with Ken Kolodner) including my travel to and from such premises. I have read, understand and agree to these terms. These terms may not be waived or modified by any verbal statements or conduct, but only by writing signed by Ken Kolodner. These terms shall be subject to the laws of Maryland regardless where I may reside or where this Release was executed. In any dispute regarding this Release or any other matter involving Ken Kolodner, I agree to be subjected to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Baltimore, MD.
Scholarships are available!! Your Sandbridge Team: Ken Kolodner - taught at countless week-long music camps including Swannanoa for 20 years, Meadowlark (14 years), KMW (15+ years), Common Ground (15+), John Campbell (5 years), Augusta (4 years), Northeast Dulcimer Symposium (3 years) and hundreds of weekend festivals
Teaching Assistant Mary Lynn Michal (van Deventer) (Mary Lynn has nearly 100 students, most of whom are online. Ken's teaching assistant for the last four years for Week #1 and #2, Newbie week, Watkins Glen). ML will be the teaching assistant for all weeks (except for fiddle).
Technical support: Laurie McCarriar (Are you tech challenged? Have NO fear. Laurie is super patient and can figure out your issues!)
Requirements for zooming
An internet connection
Any of the following will do: a smart phone OR a laptop OR a tablet OR an ipad OR a desktop.
Zooming History We conducted the three 2020 Spring Sandbridge weeks and three 2020 Fall weeks all via Zoom for 170 participants. Ken also runs (with his son) a bi-weekly online old-time jam and has participated in many online concerts and festivals. Both Ken and Mary Lynn Michal participating in Quarantunes. We continue to refine our process. While nothing compares to being there in person, there are many benefits of zooming.
Advantages of Zooming!
You can noodle around without bothering anyone!
You can play without worrying about any distractions from the people around you.
Since we record the entire conference, participants can review later that evening, or the next morning, and in the coming weeks/months.
Many participants miss a session or more and catch up later or after the workshops.
We manage to get through more material than is typical.
There are many folks who are able to attend but would not otherwise because of the inability to travel.
Almost everyone who attended in the spring or the fall either wants to do it again, no matter what the format! After Sandbridge, we have been holding periodic review sessions. We will do this after Fall Sandbridge as well. The learning is taking place is fantastic!
We use an audio interface with an external microphone and an ethernet connection! With three of us in the room, we monitor your progress.
Schedule:
Prior to the weeks, we will do Zoom tests to make sure everyone is ready to roll
Sunday night prior the week, we will do introductions and an overview of the week
Daily happy hours to visit together!
Mon-Thu: 9:30-12, 2-4:30 plus brief evening review sessions and jams hosted by Ken, ML and Laurie
Wed night coffeehouse student performances (optional!)
Fri: 9:30-12 class; 2-4 "beautiful tunes jam"
Two review sessions one and two months after your week
SIX ways to pay: Payment may be made by check/echeck, Venmo, Zelle, Paypal or credit card. "Paypal to a friend" is a popular option - it works great!! (see below) Fees are the responsibility of the participant. All payments must be net of fees.
Zelle to kenkolodner@aol.com (Zelle is likely already available in your banking app; easy to use; no fees. More info: zellepay.com)
Paypal: Be very careful regarding fees when using Paypal. Paypal has raised their transaction fees as of August 1, 2021. You must transfer money from your bank account to your Paypal account first to avoid fees, and use the "send to friends and family" option. Be sure to uncheck any box that says "pay for goods and services." If fees are incurred accidentally, you will need to reimburse Ken for them. Fees must be covered by the participant.
Check - mail a payment to: Ken Kolodner 3806 Fenchurch Rd. Baltimore, MD 21218
Echeck to Ken Kolodner at kenkolodner@aol.com - easy to use and works just like a regular check!
Pay by credit card: (a 3.6% service fee will be added to cover credit card fees; 2.6% if done in person) - call Ken at 410-746-8387
Early arrival fee - pay here if you did not include this in your full payment. Cancellation Policy:Deposits are non-refundable. Balance of workshop fee refundable only if your spot can be filled.
Ken evaluates all applicants for acceptance into the workshop.