How will the Song School be structured?
The Song School program is an intensive workshop experience that focuses on songwriting and its building blocks. The week is designed to allow participants maximum flexibility in choosing their songwriting interests. Each day, from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, there are elective topics in the areas of songwriting, performance, business, guitar and vocals. The evenings consist of BBQ’s, open stage time, and campfire songsharing.

What does it cost?
The experience is only $400 and the program generally sells out by mid-summer. Classes go on sale December 2nd and a $100 deposit is required to hold your space.

When are full payments due? Can I get a refund?
Full payments for the Song School are due by May 1st. Your $100 deposit is nonrefundable, but your remainder payment is fully refundable until May 31.

What about ability levels?
Which class should I sign up for? Most participants write songs regularly, but the program is open to all levels of songwriters. A large dose of inspiration will be had by all, even if you have never written a song before.

Can I bring friends or family along to the Song School?
One companion may stay with you during the Song School under the following conditions: You must purchase a guest pass for your guest in advance. A guest wristband costs $100 and includes camping, evening activities and both Song School BBQ’s. Guests must share tent with Academy attendee. Guests may not bring vehicles on site. Guests must avoid classroom areas during the day and be respectful with regards to noise.

How do I get to the Planet Bluegrass Ranch?
If you are planning to fly into Denver International Airport, you have several options to get from Denver to Lyons. The Denver metro bus system, RTD, stops about 1/2 mile from the PB Ranch gate. Another private service, the Estes Park Shuttle, makes four daily runs from DIA to Estes Park, dropping you off at the PB Ranch on the way. The North Denver Airport Shuttle and Superior Shuttle both serve Lyons. For more details, contact these services directly:

RTD 800-366-7433
Estes Park Shuttle 970-586-5151
North Denver Airport Shuttle 303-457-4646
Superior Shuttle 303-399-2812
If you will be driving to Lyons, you might want to try out www.mapquest.com to obtain a detailed itinerary. Lyons is located about 20 miles west of I-25.

What accommodations should I expect to find?
Planet Bluegrass offers convenient on-site camping during the Song School and during The Folks Festival. Our Ranch is situated on 15 beautiful acres of private property. It’s nestled along the St.Vrain River; tucked beneath a rim of 75 foot high red sandstone cliffs. We also have a bathhouse, which offers indoor toilets, sinks and showers.

Can I bring my RV?
You may have an RV on site for the Song School only if you have purchased a RV pass for the Festival and don’t need to move it. Otherwise, you may keep your RV across the street at the Meadow Park Campground. Please note there are no RV hookups at either site.

Meadow Park Camping?
We also offer camping at Meadow Park across the street from our Ranch. This campground is operated by the town of Lyons and there is a $12 fee per night until Monday, August 15th when Planet Bluegrass takes over. If you display a Meadow Park camping and vehicle pass for the festival, you may stay for the Song School for no additional charge.

What about other vehicles and tents on site?
You may camp in a tent or vehicle free of charge while attending the Song School in the designated Song School camping area. To stay on-site during the festival you will need to purchase a three-day festival pass with on-site camping privileges. Vehicles and RV’s require additional passes during the festival, separate from the per-person camping pass. Festival vehicle passes are expected to sell out in early 2005. If you are not staying for the festival you will be asked to move your vehicle out of the campground Thursday to accommodate festival campers moving in.

Can I set up and stay in the same campsite for the Song School and the Festival? What about my vehicle?
Song School campers who have festival and on-site camping passes can set up and stay in the same campsite once the Song School has ended. Buy your festival, camping and vehicle passes ASAP before they sell out. You will be required to move your vehicle on Thursday and your campsite on Friday morning by 9:00 am if you do not have festival camping passes. If you do not need to camp with your vehicle for the festival, you may park it in a secured lot for the weekend.

Hotels and other places to stay - There are a number of lodges and motels in the surrounding area, which offer a wide range of accommodations. Here are some useful numbers:
Lyons or close by:
The Rock-N-River 303-823-5011
Stone Mountain Lodge 303-823-6091
Shelly’s Cottages 303-823-6326
The Aspen Leaf Hotel 303-823-6181
Lyons Chamber of Commerce 303-823-5215

Longmont:
The Raintree Hotel 303-776-2000
Longmont Super 8 303-772-8106
Radisson Hotel 303-776-2000
Days Inn 303-651-6999
Longmont Chamber 303-776-5295

Boulder:
Boulder Holiday Inn Express 303-442-6600
The Boulderado 303-442-4344
Boulder Chamber 303-442-1044

Estes Park:
The Stanley Hotel 970-586-3371
Estes Park Chamber 970-586-4431

What can I buy in Lyons?
Lyons is a small town where you can get the basics. Within a mile or less from the Ranch gate, you can get to the post office, a music store, a health food store, a quaint little grocery, a pharmacy, an old-timey cafe, 1/2 dozen restaurants, and a coffee shop. Within a two-mile radius you can find a dozen restaurants, several gas stations, two banks, liquor and grocery stores and several antique dealers.

What should I bring with me?
The classrooms are outdoors, under shade tents, so bring raingear and warm clothing as well as shorts, a swimming suit and sunscreen. Also bring picks, extra strings, watch, tape recorder and plenty of extra batteries and tapes, a flashlight, tarp, folding chairs, camera, and snack food.

Are there phones available?
Will my cell phone work? We have installed a public phone on site in front of the bathhouse. Pay phones can also be found nearby in the town of Lyons. Cell phones users have experienced trouble with reception on the Ranch. Service improves once you are a mile or so away or closer to Boulder and Longmont.

How soon can I set up camp and check in for the Song School?
The Song School campground opens at 2:00pm on Sunday, August 14, 2005. You may check in and pick up Song School materials from 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM on Sunday and on Monday morning starting at 8:00 AM.

What’s the weather like?
Usually Colorado is sunny and warm with an occasional afternoon thunderstorm- but not always. The phrase “if you don’t like the weather just wait fifteen minutes” is truly appropriate in Colorado. It’s good to be prepared for a little rain, wind, and cool evenings. Daytime temperatures usually are in the 80’s and 90’s and at night you can expect 60’s and 70’s.

Can I bring my pet?
Sorry, no pets are allowed on site. Call us for a list of local kennels if necessary.