Dear Friends of Old Songs,
Old Songs is dedicated to keeping traditional music and dance alive through the presentation of festivals, concerts, dances, and educational programs. Fulfilling that mission is made possible by community support from within the extended Old Songs family — staff, volunteers, friends, the audience — all of us, and all of you. Music and dance sustains, uplifts, and surrounds us, and can reach us in ways nothing else can. It is an important part of our being.
During the height of the pandemic, we remained true to our mission, developing new ways to reach and expand our community through virtual concerts, festivals, classes, and events. In the fall of 2021, we restarted in-person concerts — now also live-streamed from the building — with Jay Ungar & Molly Mason, followed by Windborne. We also brought back in-person instrument classes and Make Your Own Music sessions. The musical tribute to Tony Barrand in November — sold out in the building and enjoyed by over 350 people watching live online — was not only a testament to Tony, but to the power of song and community.
Through live-streamed events, our partnership with John McCutcheon gave us opportunities to see the breadth and depth of his work. Our collaboration with Falcon House Studios in the UK and several US folk organizations continues to bring you live-streamed concerts from the UK showcasing many artists no longer touring in the US.
Happily, in 2022 we were able to hold our first in-person festival since the onset of the pandemic, and what a wonderful festival it was. We could not have done any of these programs without your support.
In 2022 Old Songs:
- started its YouTube channel with videos from Old Songs events and festivals — subscribe today!
- won 3 small NYSCA grants: to upgrade our sound system at our concert venue; for the 2023 concert series; and for operational support.
- welcomed 3 new Board Members and a new Board President.
In 2023:
- We have a great winter/spring concert line-up including Máire Ní Chathasaigh & Chris Newman, the Nordic Fiddler’s Bloc, Joe Jencks, Nicolas Boulerice & Frédéric Samson, North Sea Gas, and more.
- Our instrument classes and jams will continue, and community dances are returning.
- The 2023 Old Songs Festival will be held June 23–25 — mark your calendars now!
We are now facing new challenges. With a few exceptions, the ongoing COVID situation has dampened in-person attendance at our festival and concerts. Inflation is impacting our operational costs, and we cannot rely on inconsistent government funding. We continue to streamline operations wherever possible and make prudent and fiscally responsible internal adjustments. Competition for funding is at an all-time high. Now more than ever, your support will help us to sustain our programs and keep traditional music and dance alive in the Capital Region and beyond.
Our programs are only possible through the tireless work of the artists, our staff, our many volunteers, and your support. Your gift to the Old Songs Annual Fund benefits all aspects of our programs. With your help we can move past our organization’s challenges and keep our focus and energy where it matters most: on our larger traditional music and dance community.
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. All donations, large or small, are important and we are grateful for each one. We thank all of you who have provided financial support in the past or given your time and moral support as a volunteer, and hope you are able once again to donate to Old Songs in this or other ways.
All of us at Old Songs wish you a happy, healthy, and peaceful holiday season.
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