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
Old Songs Community Arts Center
Upcoming Events
April 2024
$25
Nic Gareiss & Simon Chrisman — Live at Old Songs
Nic Gareiss (percussive dance, bouzouki, vocals) and Simon Chrisman (hammer dulcimer) met in 2007 at a fiddle festival in the Californian redwoods and have been exploring sound and movement together ever since. Both innovators on their instruments, Nic and Simon bring their unique approaches together for traditional song, percussive dance, instrumental tunes, improvisation and new compositions, engaging interlocking rhythms and dynamic textures.
Well-known for his work with the groundbreaking new acoustic string band The Bee Eaters, Simon’s music combines “chamber music’s finely calibrated arrangements with bluegrass’s playful virtuosity and pop music’s melodic resourcefulness.” (Boston Herald) Noted for his “dexterous melding of Irish and Appalachian dance” (New York Times) and described as “the most inventive and expressive step dancer on the scene” (Boston Herald). Together, Nic and Simon adventure into the world of time and timbre to create a breathtaking evening-length performance of song, instrumental music, and percussive dance.
facebook page | nicgareiss.com
Buy Tickets:
The concert will be held in person at the Old Songs building (37 S Main in Voorheesville) and live-streamed on the Old Songs YouTube Channel.
Contra Dance Tunes
4th Wednesday of the Month
Playing for dancing with rhythm and style. Build your skills and dance tune repertoire. All instruments & skill levels welcome. Led by Halsey Brown.
recommended $5 donation
$145
Intermediate Mountain Dulcimer
with Nina Zanetti
The focus is on repertoire building using a variety of styles, including traditional tunes, Celtic melodies, and duets, while learning appropriate flat-picking or finger-picking techniques, effective left-hand fingering, and good musicianship, as it relates to mountain dulcimer.
For more information contact Nina at 518-456-8715 or ninazanetti@verizon.net.
$25
Genticorum — Live at Old Songs
For over twenty years, Genticorum has earned a place of privilege on world, traditional, folk and Celtic music stages. Pascal Gemme (fiddle) and Yann Falquet (guitar), the group’s two founding members, are both recognized individually as major contributors to the trad music scene in Québec. Since 2015, they have been joined by accomplished multi-instrumentalist and composer Nicholas Williams (flute, accordion). Weaving intricate fiddle, flute and accordion lines, gorgeous vocal harmonies, subtle guitar textures and exhilarating foot percussion, the pleasure that these three musicians have creating and playing together is palpable, both in the studio and on the concert stage. genticorum.com
Buy Tickets:
The concert will be held in person at the Old Songs building (37 S Main in Voorheesville) and live-streamed on the Old Songs YouTube Channel.
May 2024
Open Mic
1st Wednesday of the Month
Strut your stuff and share your talent! Walk in and sign up to play (15 minutes). Local performer Kate Blain will host.
$3 cover charge.
$145
Intermediate Mountain Dulcimer
with Nina Zanetti
The focus is on repertoire building using a variety of styles, including traditional tunes, Celtic melodies, and duets, while learning appropriate flat-picking or finger-picking techniques, effective left-hand fingering, and good musicianship, as it relates to mountain dulcimer.
For more information contact Nina at 518-456-8715 or ninazanetti@verizon.net.
$25
John Roberts — Live at Old Songs
Presenting John Roberts on his 80th birthday! Celebrate with us!
John has been singing English folk songs since the early 1960s, when he joined a local folk club in his native Worcestershire. In America since 1968, he joined with Tony Barrand to form a long lasting duo whose entertaining style delighted audiences. These days, he mostly performs solo, with long-time partner Lisa Preston, or in tandem with Debra Cowan. He presents a selection of songs (music of the sea is one of his specialties), some well-known to folk aficionados and others less so. John accompanies himself masterfully on concertina, banjo, and guitar. johnrobertsfolksong.com
Buy Tickets:
The concert will be held in person at the Old Songs building (37 S Main in Voorheesville) and live-streamed on the Old Songs YouTube Channel.
Old Time Jam
2nd Wednesday of the Month
Led by the Fearless Fretters.
recommended $3 donation
$145
Intermediate Mountain Dulcimer
with Nina Zanetti
The focus is on repertoire building using a variety of styles, including traditional tunes, Celtic melodies, and duets, while learning appropriate flat-picking or finger-picking techniques, effective left-hand fingering, and good musicianship, as it relates to mountain dulcimer.
For more information contact Nina at 518-456-8715 or ninazanetti@verizon.net.
$50
Spring into Uke with Jim Beloff, Ron Gordon, and Ron Whitford
All-day Ukulele Intensive. Open to ALL LEVELS of player — beginner to advanced! See the full schedule of workshops…
Register
The workshop will be held in person at the Old Songs building (37 S Main in Voorheesville). If you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID, the flu, or a cold (cough, runny nose, sore throat, or fever) at the time of the event, please stay home, and ask for a refund.
Schedule
- 9:30 am — Doors open, participant check-in.
- 10:15 am — Introductions
- 10:30 am — Workshops — Session 1
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Beginning Uke with Ron Whitford — The beginners’ workshop will focus on basic chord progressions (one – four – five chords) and how a circle of fifths works. The session will show how to make efficient chord transitions by moving or lifting the least fingers possible. We’ll be playing songs in a few keys to demonstrate these skills. A basic strum will be taught to keep the rhythm in a song.
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5 Essential Strums and a Frail with Ron Gordon — This workshop will present songs to study five useful strums: the one-finger strum, the thumb drag, triplet, damp, and syncopated. There will also be a quick study of a banjo strum, frailing on the uke. Learn how to add variety to your right-hand rhythm playing!
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- 11:30 am — Lunch Out (of the building)
- 1:00 pm — Workshops — Session 2
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Jim’s Jazzin’ Up the Uke with Jim Belof — How to use chord substitutions to “jazz up” a simple 4 or 5 chord song. Based on the 2015 Flea Market Music book. We’ll also play through several Lyle Ritz classic jazz arrangements. Jim’s style is decidedly jazzy, so here’s a great opportunity to understand the thinking behind this style of music on the uke.
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Ukulele Fingerpicking or the Educated Thumb with Ron Gordon — Fingerpicking on the ukulele is a beautiful technique to accompany songs and play solo repertoire. In this workshop, you will learn some of the patterns that bring out the melodic side of the uke: “parlor style”, arpeggio, and alternate thumb. We’ll cover some songs and an instrumental in this session.
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- 2:45 pm — Workshops — Session 3
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The New Daily Ukulele with Jim Belof — A new Workshop/Jam that Jim will offer is selected songs from the new “Daily Ukulele: Another Year” songbook which is due to come out in soon. This would be the first time Jim would be offering this. You’ll get an early intro of all new songs, on all levels, in this workshop. Kind of like a world premiere! It’s quite a story of how Jim decided to create an all-new book modeled on the original. We’ll have to find a red carpet!
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Jugband/Blues Workshop with Ron Whitford — Ron will present a sample of jug band songs by original jug band groups giving some biographical information about some of the early Jug Band/Blues artists: Gus Cannon’s song, “Going to Germany”, Memphis Minnie’s, “What’s the Matter with the Mill?”, “Call the Fire Wagon”, the Mississippi Sheiks’,” Bootlegger’s Blues” and Frank Stokes, “Chicken Roost Behind the Moon.” Ukes, jugs, kazoos, and washtub basses are welcome.
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- 4:15 pm — Concert: A brief sampler from each teacher/performer
- 5:30 pm — Everybody go home and practice!
The Pick’n’ & Sing’n’ Gather’n’ (PSG)
2nd Sunday of the Month
A sing-around for the whole family. pickingandsinging.org
Bluegrass Jam
2nd Monday of the Month
Led by Tom Behan.
recommended $5 donation
Traditional Irish Slow Session
3rd Wednesday of the Month (Sept. – May)
This is a friendly, repertoire-building opportunity to play your new tunes slowly and work on your old tunes at a reasonable tempo. We will focus specifically on traditional Irish music, and all Irish-appropriate instruments are welcome (i.e. wooden flute, tin whistle, concertina, button or piano accordion, guitar, bouzouki, mandolin, fiddle, harp). We encourage tape recorders, and focus on learning tunes by ear. Music stands and continuous use of sheet music discouraged. Bring snacks to share. Led by Sean McCorkle.
Recommended $5 donation
$145
Intermediate Mountain Dulcimer
with Nina Zanetti
The focus is on repertoire building using a variety of styles, including traditional tunes, Celtic melodies, and duets, while learning appropriate flat-picking or finger-picking techniques, effective left-hand fingering, and good musicianship, as it relates to mountain dulcimer.
For more information contact Nina at 518-456-8715 or ninazanetti@verizon.net.
African Drum Class
3rd Monday of the Month
Study African drumming. Participants will learn authentic drumming from many countries in West Africa. Emphasis will be on traditional rhythms & drumming techniques on djembes, dunduns & other hand drums. Please join us for this fun filled class. All levels are welcomed. Some drums may be available to borrow on a first come, first served basis. Instructor John Dickson.
Email oldsongs@oldsongs.org or call 518-765-2815 for more info.
Class fee: $15
Contra Dance Tunes
4th Wednesday of the Month
Playing for dancing with rhythm and style. Build your skills and dance tune repertoire. All instruments & skill levels welcome. Led by Halsey Brown.
recommended $5 donation
$145
Intermediate Mountain Dulcimer
with Nina Zanetti
The focus is on repertoire building using a variety of styles, including traditional tunes, Celtic melodies, and duets, while learning appropriate flat-picking or finger-picking techniques, effective left-hand fingering, and good musicianship, as it relates to mountain dulcimer.
For more information contact Nina at 518-456-8715 or ninazanetti@verizon.net.
June 2024
Open Mic
1st Wednesday of the Month
Strut your stuff and share your talent! Walk in and sign up to play (15 minutes). Local performer Kate Blain will host.
$3 cover charge.
July 2024
Open Mic
1st Wednesday of the Month
Strut your stuff and share your talent! Walk in and sign up to play (15 minutes). Local performer Kate Blain will host.
$3 cover charge.
August 2024
Open Mic
1st Wednesday of the Month
Strut your stuff and share your talent! Walk in and sign up to play (15 minutes). Local performer Kate Blain will host.
$3 cover charge.
October 2024
Bluegrass Jam Class
Taught by Tom Behan using the Wernick Method
5 sessions, tuition $190 ($200 after Sept. 27)
Playing music with others is the best activity for getting better on your instrument! Using the tried and true Pete Wernick method, the class will teach the fundamentals of bluegrass jamming and build your confidence in playing with others. The music is slow and easy, and you will quickly gain skills while having fun. These skills are transferable to other types of music because they are basic to all types of jamming. All skill levels are welcome, and bringing a recording device is recommended.
For more information contact Tom at tbehan@nycap.rr.com
Class Dates: Oct. 27 – Dec.1 (no class Nov. 10)
November 2024
Bluegrass Jam Class
Taught by Tom Behan using the Wernick Method
5 sessions, tuition $190 ($200 after Sept. 27)
Playing music with others is the best activity for getting better on your instrument! Using the tried and true Pete Wernick method, the class will teach the fundamentals of bluegrass jamming and build your confidence in playing with others. The music is slow and easy, and you will quickly gain skills while having fun. These skills are transferable to other types of music because they are basic to all types of jamming. All skill levels are welcome, and bringing a recording device is recommended.
For more information contact Tom at tbehan@nycap.rr.com
Class Dates: Oct. 27 – Dec.1 (no class Nov. 10)
Bluegrass Jam Class
Taught by Tom Behan using the Wernick Method
5 sessions, tuition $190 ($200 after Sept. 27)
Playing music with others is the best activity for getting better on your instrument! Using the tried and true Pete Wernick method, the class will teach the fundamentals of bluegrass jamming and build your confidence in playing with others. The music is slow and easy, and you will quickly gain skills while having fun. These skills are transferable to other types of music because they are basic to all types of jamming. All skill levels are welcome, and bringing a recording device is recommended.
For more information contact Tom at tbehan@nycap.rr.com
Class Dates: Oct. 27 – Dec.1 (no class Nov. 10)
Bluegrass Jam Class
Taught by Tom Behan using the Wernick Method
5 sessions, tuition $190 ($200 after Sept. 27)
Playing music with others is the best activity for getting better on your instrument! Using the tried and true Pete Wernick method, the class will teach the fundamentals of bluegrass jamming and build your confidence in playing with others. The music is slow and easy, and you will quickly gain skills while having fun. These skills are transferable to other types of music because they are basic to all types of jamming. All skill levels are welcome, and bringing a recording device is recommended.
For more information contact Tom at tbehan@nycap.rr.com
Class Dates: Oct. 27 – Dec.1 (no class Nov. 10)
December 2024
Bluegrass Jam Class
Taught by Tom Behan using the Wernick Method
5 sessions, tuition $190 ($200 after Sept. 27)
Playing music with others is the best activity for getting better on your instrument! Using the tried and true Pete Wernick method, the class will teach the fundamentals of bluegrass jamming and build your confidence in playing with others. The music is slow and easy, and you will quickly gain skills while having fun. These skills are transferable to other types of music because they are basic to all types of jamming. All skill levels are welcome, and bringing a recording device is recommended.
For more information contact Tom at tbehan@nycap.rr.com
Class Dates: Oct. 27 – Dec.1 (no class Nov. 10)