Old Songs, Inc. is a not-for-profit, educational, 501(c)3 corporation
Virtual Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 11 am–4 pm.
PO Box 466 • 37 S Main • Voorheesville, NY 12186-0466
(518) 765-2815 • info@oldsongs.org
Past Events
Events List Navigation
June 2020
2020 Virtual Old Songs Festival
Though we can’t be together in person for this year’s festival, Old Songs, in partnership with Ron Olesko’s Folk Music Notebook, is proud to present a full weekend of programing with streamed audio sets from many of the artists who were scheduled to perform at this year’s festival as well as featured recordings from the Old Songs archives — most have which have not been heard since they were originally performed.
View the Full Virtual Festival Schedule
September 2020
Encore—2020 Virtual Old Songs Festival
Encore! Encore!
Back in June, Folk Music Notebook presented the Virtual Old Songs Festival. This exclusive broadcast was enthusiastically received, with listeners from all over the globe.
This Labor Day weekend—starting Saturday, Sept. 5 at 2 pm and running through Monday Sept. 7—we will present an encore broadcast of the entire festival!
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View the Encore Virtual Festival Schedule
October 2020
Emma’s Revolution — Virtual Concert & Song Swap
Watch, Listen and Participate over Zoom (7PM EDT, 4PM Pacific)
Emma’s Revolution is the dynamic, award-winning activist duo of Pat Humphries and Sandy O. In the spirit of Emma Goldman’s “If I can’t dance, I don’t want to be part of your revolution,” and with beautiful harmonies and genre-defying eclecticism, Emma’s Revolution delivers the energy and strength of their convictions, in an uprising of truth and hope for these tumultuous times. Sandy contributes exquisite vocals, guitar playing, and songwriting, while Pat is widely known and highly regarded for her spellbinding singing and for her songwriting.
Since the arrival of COVID, Emma’s Revolution has been performing and teaching regularly online and is excited to return to the Old Songs community! The duo’s song, “Our House is on Fire”, has been chosen from 100+ submissions as the opening track for a forthcoming compilation CD from Music To Life, a national nonprofit co-founded by Noel (Paul) Stookey of Peter, Paul & Mary. The video for that song and for the duo’s latest song, “Gonna Vote Your Asses Out”, will be launched in October.
Following the concert, Emma’s Revolution will host a Song Swap where you can share songs with all Zoom participants.
Register here:
Requires a Zoom capable device to view the concert. A zoom link will be emailed. No Refunds.
$127
Music Theory for the Fretted Player
with Ron Gordon for 6 weeks
This class will advance players’ musical thinking, as it applies to melody, form, harmony, and chord shapes, and fret board maps on fretted instruments. We’ll be using interactive lecture format with worksheets, music, and sound files that are emailed to the class. Reading music will be helpful, but in working through the assignments students may pick up skills in reading (and writing) notation. Students will email their work and questions at least the day before each session.
For more information contact Ron at 518-372-4172 or rgukeboy@gmail.com.
Class Dates: Oct. 22, 29, Nov. 5, 12, 19, Dec 3
Limited number of spots.
$127
Ukulele: Intermediate
with Ron Gordon for 6 weeks
In this class we’ll learn 2 songs and 2 instrumentals (all new material) with the focus on new ways to apply technique: augmented chord, early music classical style, open tuning with suspended harmony, raggy rhythms, etc. All materials are shared before each lesson so students have music, tabs, song sheets, chord charts, to print as well as sound files.
For more information contact Ron at 518-372-4172 or rgukeboy@gmail.com.
Class Dates: Oct 27, Nov. 3, 10, 17, 24, Dec. 1
Limited number of spots.
Heather Pierson Duo — Virtual Concert
Heather Pierson is a nationally touring pianist, singer/songwriter and performer whose inspiring live performances and growing catalog of releases, both solo and in ensemble, delve into Americana, blues, New Orleans jazz, vocal chants, instrumental piano, and poignant folk. She is best known for her virtuosity at the piano and her bell-tone vocals, and her songs and musicianship embody joy, honesty, and a desire to share from the heart. Heather will be accompanied by her Acoustic Trio bassist Shawn Nadeau.
CLICK HERE to watch the Recorded Concert.
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Enjoyed the Concert? Support the Artist by purchasing a ticket.
November 2020
$10
Le Vent du Nord — Live Stream CONCERT from Quebec
Le Vent du Nord, Quebec’s preeminent trad music quintet and veritable tour de force, will perform a LIVE STREAM concert from their home town of Jolliette, QC. With venues closed across the country and the world, Le Vent du Nord and Old Songs are teaming up to KEEP LIVE MUSIC ALIVE by streaming real time to your home. The band will perform socially distanced on stage with full lighting, production and multi camera shoot and will engage with fans in a post show Q&A.
The award winning and highly acclaimed band Le Vent du Nord is a leading force in Quebec’s progressive francophone folk movement. The group’s vast repertoire draws from both traditional sources and original compositions, while enhancing it’s hard-driving soulful music (rooted in the Celtic diaspora) with a broad range of global influences. On stage these 5 musicians create intense, joyful and dynamic live performances that expand the bounds of tradition in striking global directions. This is the modern sound of tradition, a music of the here and now.
Register here:
The concert will be streamed privately on Youtube. A link will be emailed to registered attendees the day before the concert. No Refunds.
$127
Irish Fiddle
with Hilary Schrauf for 6 weeks
This class assumes moderate previous experience with the fiddle (know the names of the notes and strings; know how to hold the bow), and little to moderate experience with Irish traditional music. We’ll have fun digging in to the different types of Irish tunes (jigs, reels, hornpipes, etc.) — and maybe a composition or two — while exploring what makes them sound Irish. Some bowing, slurring, ornamentation, and variations will be taught. Sound files, sheet music and links to other resources will be provided. Reading sheet music is not a requirement.
For more information contact Hilary at 518-424-8701 or hilary.schrauf@gmail.com
Class Dates: Nov. 17, 24, Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22
Matt Watroba & Rev Robert B Jones, Sr. — Virtual Concert
For Matt and Robert, American Roots Music (Folk, Blues, Spirituals, Work Songs, Chants, etc.) is music that matters. This is the music that America and the world have in common. It is music that reflects history, social change, migration, hopes and dreams. It is music that is rich and diverse, direct and powerful.
Register here for Concert Links:
The concert will be streamed on YouTube, Facebook Live and Zoom. For the best audio experience we recommend YouTube or Facebook Live. To better interact with the artists, login through Zoom. No Refunds.
December 2020
Bruce Molsky — Virtual Concert
Bruce Molsky stands today as perhaps the premier old-time fiddler in the world. His own personal authenticity deeply informs his music. Whether performing an ancient reel from Virginia, a Swedish waltz, or a loping cowboy ballad, Bruce presents himself as exactly who he is. He knows that traditional music is real people’s music, the honest expression of life as we all live it. You don’t master that by imitating others, nor by trying to live in other people’s worlds. You master it by being yourself; and at that profoundly simple and profoundly difficult musical art, Molsky is truly old-time music’s master craftsman.
View the Concert at: live.oldsongs.org
Support the Artist:
The concert will be publicly streamed on Facebook Live and does not require a Facebook Login. No Refunds.