Common Ground on the Hill receives Maryland State Arts Council award

Common Ground on the Hill, in residence at McDaniel College, received the Maryland State Arts Council's Heritage Award in the Tradition category for the Deer Creek Fiddlers' Convention. Common Ground on the Hill was founded in 1994 by Walt Michael '68 who assumed directorship of the Deer Creek Fiddlers' Convention in 2011.

Common Ground Deer Creek Fiddlers — Common Ground on the Hill's Deer Creek Fiddlers' Convention is scheduled for June 2 at the Carroll County Farm Museum in Westminster.

Common Ground on the Hill, in residence at McDaniel College, received the Maryland State Arts Council's Heritage Award in the Tradition category for the Deer Creek Fiddlers' Convention.

The Heritage Awards recognize long-term achievement in the traditional arts and include a $10,000 grant. A public nomination and review process helps to determine the winners in three categories, Person or People, Place, and Tradition.

Common Ground Walt Michael '68 — Walt Michael '68

Common Ground on the Hill was founded in 1994 by Walt Michael ’68 who assumed directorship of the Deer Creek Fiddlers’ Convention in 2011. For over 50 years, the event has brought musicians, dancers, singers, and songwriters from diverse traditional music backgrounds together to connect, learn from one another, and compete.

The event is scheduled for Sunday, June 2, at the Carroll County Farm Museum in Westminster and includes competitions in bluegrass, old-time and Celtic music, as well as the Eileen Carson Schatz Memorial Appalachian Dance contest.

Additionally, Common Ground on the Hill is one of eight Folklife Centers in Maryland recognized by the Maryland States Arts Council and the only in Carroll County.

The Maryland States Arts Council also previously awarded Senior Adjunct Lecturer Shelley Ensor, director of the McDaniel College Gospel Choir, with a Heritage Award in 2022.

Common Ground events

Below are opportunities to get involved with Common Ground on the Hill. For additional information, including tickets and registration information, visit commongroundonthehill.org.

Free Common Ground Downtown monthly jam sessions are held on either the first or third Wednesday of each month in downtown Westminster. More information.
Common Ground on the Hill regularly hosts Common Ground Downtown concerts and on Saturday, March 9, the series is coming to McDaniel's WMC Alumni Hall featuring The Kruger Brothers, who will perform a blend of bluegrass, Americana, and classical music. Get tickets.
Common Ground on the Hill hosts its Traditions Week of classes in the traditional arts, evening concerts, lectures, and more on campus at McDaniel College from Sunday, July 7-Friday, July 12. A virtual week option is also available from Monday, June 24-Friday, June 28. Both undergraduate and graduate students have the option to earn academic credit by participating. Learn more.
To mark the culmination of the Traditions Week, the Roots Music & Arts Festival is held at McDaniel on Saturday, July 13, from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. with roots music on three stages, craft vendors, and food trucks. Click here for festival information.

Internships are available for current McDaniel students. Interns work closely with Common Ground on the Hill staff to learn different aspects of event production and working at an arts nonprofit. Opportunities are available in business, historical archiving, marketing/graphic design, videography/photography, and safety and security for the summer. Students can learn more by contacting the Center for Experience and Opportunity

Common Ground Jams — Common Ground Downtown monthly jam sessions

Common Ground Kruger Bros — Common Ground Downtown on Saturday, March 9, with The Kruger Brothers

Common Ground Traditions Week — Common Ground on the Hill's Traditions Week

Common Ground Roots Festival — Common Ground on the Hill's Roots Music & Arts Festival