The Carnegie Center for Arts and History is pleased to announce the upcoming Oldtime Stringband Scramble, held in conjunction with the Tennessee Music Boxes exhibition from the Ellis Truett Collection. Musicians of all skill levels are invited to participate in this unique and entertaining event.

For those unfamiliar with a “Scramble,” here’s how it works:

The band scramble is a long-standing tradition at music festivals and gatherings, offering a relaxed, enjoyable opportunity for musicians to play together. The focus is on participation, fun, and community—not competition.

Here’s how to join:

• Register at the event and drop your name into the bucket for your instrument.
• Bands will be formed at random from the pool of registered musicians.
• Each band will take turns performing a song selected by its members.
• Once a band finishes, the next will be announced, continuing until all participants have had a chance to perform. (Musicians playing less common instruments may be invited to join multiple bands.)

Whether you’ve participated in jam sessions before or can simply play a few basic chords in time, you’re welcome to join in. This is a wonderful way to connect with fellow musicians, try something new, and enjoy making music together in a relaxed, supportive environment.