includes fiddle tunes, ballads, bluegrass, blues, gospel, swing, folk, and all the variations and derivations, including singing and dancing, that are nurtured by a community’s culture. It is music or musicianship that is learned from families, communities, or deliberately sought out from teachers with a traditional musical heritage. The music is almost always acoustic.

The Beaufort County Traditional Music Association (BCTMA) was conceived in May 2008 as a grassroots effort to promote the performance and enjoyment of traditional music in the Beaufort County community. Thanks to the assistance and oversight of the Beaufort County Arts Council, the BCTMA has grown into an active group of musicians and supporters dedicated to the nurturing and sharing of their love of traditional music.

BCTMA serves as a resource to the public for traditional musicians in the area, hosts weekly “jam sessions” for traditional musicians regardless of skill level, and provides educational opportunities for people interested in learning about traditional music.

BCTMA hosts a Saturday Morning Jam across the street from the Farmer’s Market on the Washington Waterfront at 10am April through October. November through March, the jam is held at the IBX Artisans Center on Main Street. Musicians of all skill levels are invited to come out for this informal event. Bring an instrument, a chair, or just come to listen. For more information about BCTMA, send us an email.

Check out the upcoming
Beaufort County Music Festival
on April 9 - 11

Be sure to visit our news and announcements page
for the latest goings on.