Young Jammers

Young Jammers

FFOTM members wanted to provide opportunities for the youth of our community to learn to play a musical instrument to enrich their lives and allow local musicians and FFOTM members to share their passion for music, passing on their joy of traditional music to a new generation.

The FFOTM Young Jammers program provides this opportunity for young people between the ages of 9 and 17 to acquire and learn to play a musical instrument. No experience is necessary. The program provides instruments available on loan for those who need them, monthly workshops, and Tuesday night group lessons. Everything is free.

Here is how it works: the Young Jammers program encourages local citizens who may have old or unused musical stringed instruments (fiddles, banjos, guitars, basses, mandolin, or dulcimers) sitting in their closets or attics to dig them out and donate them. These instruments will be distributed to youth between the ages of 9 and 17 who want to learn to play music and jam.

The donations of instruments, strings, money and etc. are extremely valuable, and we depend on volunteers to ensure the program continues.  Currently we have one guitar volunteer, and I rotate between 2-3 fiddle volunteers.  Sadly, we do not have anyone for mandolin, dulcimer, banjo or bass.

How You Can Help

Current instrument owners are asked to donate their old or used instruments to the cause of inspiring and nurturing the musical talent of our youth. Instruments in good condition will be picked up. Please call 928-268-1108 to make arrangements.

If an instrument has a unique history or story associated with it, please include a typed copy along with contact name and phone number so we may thank you.

Items we need for our Young Jammers

  1. Instruments: Guitars, (especially small guitars) fiddles, banjos, mandolins, dulcimers, dobros, and stand up basses with cases if possible. These are gifts of love, and they are given to the Young Jammers Program unconditionally. We will maintain them, keep track of them and get them to folks who want to play them.

  2. Tuners and metronomes: Cedar Music (779-0799) is making it possible to purchase tuners and metronomes at a discount and donate them to the Young Jammers Program.

  3. Strings: often musicians change strings before they wear out their current sets. If your used strings still have some life in them, please use masking tape to label each string (i.e. “G-B” = guitar, B-string, or “M-D” = Mandolin, D string), circle them up and mail to:ATT: FFOTM Young JammersFlagstaff School of Music2213 E 7th Ave
Flagstaff, Arizona 86004(This is a good excuse to keep fresh strings on your instrument.)



  4. Money: If you are inclined to contribute, we are grateful. It will be used for instrument repair, strings, and other unexpected expenses that are certain to arise. Make checks payable to FFOTM and mail c/o Bonnie Dumdei, 2213 E 7th Ave, Flagstaff, Arizona 86004. All donations are tax deductible.

  5. Method Books and Videos: All musicians are self-taught. 
Books and videos are valuable learning aids. If you have something to contribute, call 928-268-1108, or email Bonnie at: bonnie@flagstaffschoolofmusic.com. We will establish a lending library for the Young Jammers.



  6. Volunteer musicians to help at the workshops.

The Young Jammers program is directed by Bonnie Dumdei & Terry Alan. We hold classes just about every Tues. night at 7 at Coconino Center for the Arts.