Dear Friends of Old Songs,
Since 1977, the unwavering support of our community and the extended Old Songs family has made it possible for us to succeed in our mission each year, keeping traditional music and dance alive through the presentation of festivals, concerts, dances, and educational programs.
In 2024 we:
- Were awarded a $5000 grant from Michele L. Vennard Hospitality Grant Program of the Albany County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Fund, to subsidize the costs of performer lodging
- Paid off our mortgage for our Community Arts Center
- Won a Capital Grant from the NYS Council on the Arts (NYSCA) for new siding for the Old Songs Community Arts Center and to encapsulate the stained-glass doors on the side of the building behind energy-efficient glass, giving the building a well-needed facelift and to preserve this space for years to come
- Won a NYSCA grant for General Operating Support for 2025
- Continue to live stream our in-person concerts to a worldwide audience.
- Had a successful concert season, finishing the season with Joe Newberry & April Verch, and Windborne
- Our instrument classes, jams, and community dances are in full swing and will continue in 2025
For 2025:
- We have a great winter/spring concert line-up including House of Hamil, Sean Dagher, Medusa (Ontario), the Murphy Beds, Máire Ní Chathasaigh & Chris Newman (UK), Evie Ladin & Keith Terry, Martin & Eliza Carthy (UK), Ensemble Sangineto (Italy)
- May brings Spring into Uke, a one-day ukulele intensive
- We’re looking forward to the 45th Old Songs Festival, June 27–29 — mark your calendars now and bring your friends, kids, grandkids!
We still face the challenges of rising operating costs and rely on donations to help keep ticket prices reasonable for all events. COVID fears are still affecting in-person attendance at our festival and concerts, and competition for funding is at an all-time high. Now more than ever, your donation helps to sustain our programs and focus energy where it matters most: keeping our traditional music and dance community engaged, vital, and growing. Music feeds the soul, uplifts, and connects us in ways nothing else can. Help us keep that connection strong.
The many ways you can financially support Old Songs include direct donations, one-time or monthly, matching gifts (corporate or individual), legacy donations, bequests, securities donations, artist and/or festival sponsorships, and instrument donations. Go to: support.oldsongs.org or contact us if you would like to support us in any of these ways. All donations, large or small, are important, and we are grateful for each one. Thank you for providing financial support in the past and/or giving your time and moral support as a volunteer. We hope you are once again able to support Old Songs in these or other ways.
Beyond financial support, please share the joy of Old Songs — come to a concert, bring a friend to the festival, take a class, check out the open mic, join in a jam, or become a volunteer.
To volunteer at the in-person festival for the first time go online to volunteer.oldsongs.org for more information or send an email to office@oldsongs.org. Returning volunteers please contact your crew chiefs.
All of us at Old Songs wish you a happy, healthy, and peaceful holiday season and the year ahead.
Sincerely,
Joy Bennett
Executive Director/Curator
Old Songs, Inc.
Barbara Brundage
President, Board of Directors
Old Songs, Inc.
or Print out, fill out and mail in our Annual Appeal Form