Greenwood Furnace Folk Gathering

5:00 - 7:00

Registration in the Visitors Center

7:00

Staff Concert

9:00

Jamming after the concert
Instrumental jam with Simple Gifts; Singing with Tom and Betty Druckenmiller; Campground jam with Keystone Rebels

8:00 - 9:00

Breakfast* (* meals can be purchased with registration)

8:30

Orientation, welcome and announcements during breakfast

9:00 - 10:00

Instant Musician! - Clark Parry & Cindy Durkee
For the absolute beginner or non-musicians, c’mon in and we’ll get you going. You’ll be strumming along before you know it!

West Africian Drumming - Kelly e Parker
This session will go beyond what a drum circle generally teaches. You’ll learn the basics of playing West African Djembe as well as traditional West African rhythms.

Pennsylvania Songs - Beth & Stephan Folkemer
Beth has been studying field recordings of ballads collected by Samuel Bayard in Pennsylvania. She and Stephen will teach a few of their favorites. You’ll also learn some history about Samuel Bayard and the people he collected from.

West Virginia Tunes – Tom & Betty Druckenmiller
For all instruments, all levels beyond beginner. Tunes will be taught by ear, with music provided at the end of the session.

Grandpa's Finnish Tunes - Carl Rahkonen & Henry Koretzky (Keystone Rebels)
Learn primary source material that Carl collected from his Finnish grandfather. Sheet music and chords will be provided.

How to Learn by Ear - Rachel Hall (Simple Gifts)
Trying to learn tunes by ear can be tough. Rachel will share tips and shortcuts to make it easier.

Morning Jam - Howard Blumenthal
For all levels of singers and all instruments beyond beginner.

10:15 - 11:15

Try an Autoharp - Linda Huber
For the absolute beginner or non-musicians, autoharp is a wonderful first instrument and it’s also a good choice for those that want to branch out to a new instrument. Autoharps will be available for rent for the weekend, or can be borrowed for this workshop.

Fiddling Across America - Carl Rahkonen (Keystone Rebels)
Carl is an ethnomusicologist who specializes American fiddling styles. In this presentation, we will listen to and compare field recordings, as well as some live playing, to get an overview of the many fiddle styles across America. (Lecture / discussion)

Jean Ritchie Songs - Beth Folkemer & Peggy Shutes
We’ll sing her songs and discuss her history and influence. Lyrics & chords will be provided.

Pennsylvania Tunes collected by Wilbur Neal - Karen Hirshon & Linda Littleton (Simple Gifts)
Wilbur Neal was one of the fiddlers that Samuel Bayard collected tunes from in the mid 1900s. Linda and Karen recently met Neal's daughter and two grand-daughters, one of whom is a fiddler herself. Mr. Neal's grand-daughters, Elaine Winston and Mary Jane Hiller, will join us for this special session. Sheet music with chords will be provided. For all instruments, all levels beyond beginner.

Scottish and English Tunes - Stephen Folkemer
For all instruments, all levels beyond beginner. Tunes will be taught by ear, with music provided at the end of the session.

Playing in a Band - Montage
We’ll look at rhythm, groove, blend, dynamics, and other elements that give a band a strong, cohesive sound.

Old Time Jam - Mark Tamsula & Todd Clewell (Keystone Rebels)
For all instruments beyond beginner.

11:30 - 12:30

Try a Mountain Dulcimer – Clark Parry & Cindy Durkee
This is a fun and easy instrument that can be used in a jam session, to accompany voices, or all by yourself! Dulcimers can be rented for the full weekend or borrowed during this class.

Contradance Basics – Bob Nicholson
Contradancing is easy enough that you’ll be fine at the evening dance even if you’ve never tried it before. But you’ll have a better time if you come to this workshop to learn the basics. Live music will be provided by Howard Blumenthal. Intermediate/advanced level participants who know the contradance repertoire are welcome to join in.

How to Sing - Beth & Stephen Folkemer
Learn some exercises and tips that will help you to maintain a healthy voice and have more fun singing. We’ll look at warm-ups and methods for varying tone and increasing projection.

Old Time Tunes – Mark Tamsula & Todd Clewell (Keystone Rebels)
For all instruments, all levels beyond beginner. Tunes will be taught by ear with music provided at the end of the session.

Performance Band - Peggy Shutes & Jerry Trusty
Come join the band! We’ll look at issues of arranging and performing music and then put them to use by arranging a song to be performed at the start of the Saturday night concert. For all instruments and singers. All levels are welcome.

Hearing Chord Changes - Jane Knoeck (Montage)
This workshop will teach you to hear and identify common chords and chord changes and to understand where and when they occur.

Slow Jam - Linda Huber & the Druckenmillers
We’ll stick with commonly known songs and tunes, playing them slowly enough for less experienced players to keep up and for more experienced players to experiment with harmonies and improvisation.

12:30 - 1:30

Lunch*and jamming

1:30 - 2:30

Honoring Pennsylvania Heritage Musician Bob Foster - Henry Koretzky, Karen Hirshon, and Linda Littleton
In this special session, we will honor long-time Pennsylvania musician Bob Foster, who plays tenor banjo, guitar, and musical saw, and he yodels as he sings. The session will be mainly chatting and hearing the Bob’s stories, but there may be some jamming and listening to Bob sing and play as well. Facilitated by Henry Koretzky, Karen Hirshon, and Linda Littleton.

Open Stage – Facilitated by Holly Foy
This is your chance to perform for all and listen to others. Everyone at any level is welcome. The acoustics in the church are absolutely awesome, and the audience is guaranteed to be supportive and encouraging! If there are more takers than time, we’ll draw straws at the beginning of the session.

Jamming – Howard Blumenthal & Jerry Trusty
For all levels of singers and all instruments beyond beginner.

2:45 - 3:45

Family Dance – Bob Nicholson
Contra, square, and circle dancing for the young and young at heart.

Tin Pan Alley Music - Paul Fagley
Hear a unique perspective on music and history from Greenwood Furnace State Park’s historian, Paul Fagley. We’ll look at six songs from Tin Pan Alley that have unusual histories. All were very popular songs that were forgotten and came back later. (Lecture / discussion)

Harmony Singing - Tom & Betty Druckenmiller
Learn to make your voices blend in beautiful harmony! For all levels of singers.

French Canadian Tunes - Montage
For all instruments, all levels beyond beginner. Tunes will be taught by ear, with music available at the end of the workshop.

How to Jam - Jerry Trusty
If you’ve sat quietly at jams wishing you knew how to jump into the music, this session is for you!

Let's Jam! - Karen Hirshon & Linda Littleton (Simple Gifts)

4:00 - 5:00

Beginners' Jam- Linda Huber, Clark Parry & Cindy Durkee
A fun, supportive jam for those who are new to their instruments and new to jamming. Mountain dulcimers and autoharps will be provided, and total non-musicians are welcome.

Foot Percussion - Tom Santarsiero (Montage)
Learn the French Canadian tradition of using your feet as a rhythm instrument. All levels are welcome.

Introduction to Shape Note Singing - Hal Kunkel
Shape Note Singing, also called Sacred Harp Singing is a 200-year-old American tradition of singing four-part harmony by following music with shaped notes. The music is sung loud with strong rhythms, simple open harmonies, and a strong sense of community. All levels of singers are welcome. Music will be provided.

Contra & Square Dance Band - Rachel Hall, Rachabelle, Bob Nicholson
We’ll look over the music that the open band will play at the evening dance. Music and chords will be provided. For all instruments; all levels beyond beginner. Note: If you miss this session, it’s still ok to play for the dance.

Ear Training - Peggy Shutes
Step by step, phrase by phrase, work on playing or singing back what you hear.

Jamming - Tom & Betty Druckenmiller
For all levels of singers and all instruments beyond beginner.

5:15 - 6:15

Picnic Dinner *

6:30

Concert - Performance Band (from 11:30 workshop) opening for Keystone Rebels, Montage & Simple Gifts

8:00

After the concert
Square and Contradancing with Bob Nichoslon caller and an open band led by Rachel Hall and Rachabelle; Singing around the Bonfire with Clark Parry & Cindy Durkee; Instrumental Jam with Keystone Rebels

8:00 - 9:00

Breakfast*

9:00 - 10:00

Hymn Singing – Clark Parry & Cindy Durkee
A good old-fashioned hymn sing held at the historic Greenwood Furnace Church. Bring your instrument if you play. Song sheets with chords will be provided. This workshop is free and open to the public.

Pennsylvania Tunes collected from Sarah Armstrong – Keystone Rebels
Todd has been studying the music of Sarah Armstrong, an early 20th century fiddler from Southwestern Pennsylvania. Hear about Mrs. Armstrong’s life and learn several of her tunes. For all instruments; all levels beyond beginner.

Playing Backup - Jane Knoeck & Tom Santarsiero (Montage)
Tips and techniques for making your backup playing varied, interesting, and powerful.

Old Time Banjo – Jerry Trusty
Tips and techniques for all levels beyond beginner.

Jamming - Howard Blumenthal
For all levels of singers and all instruments beyond beginner.

10:15 - 11:15

Shape Note Singing - Hal Kunkel
See Saturday 4:00pm for a description of this wonderful music, a 200-year-old American tradition that’s still going strong! This workshop is free and open to the public.

Tunes that are Cooler than they are Hard - Rachel Hall & Rachabelle
Just because a tune is super cool doesn't mean it has to make your brain hurt. Come learn a few refreshing tunes that are manageable but fun and groovy! We’ll try to learn by ear but music will be available if needed. For all instruments, all levels beyond beginner.

How to Practice - Jerry Trusty & Peggy Shutes
Practice doesn’t need to be painful. This workshop gives tips on managing your practice time and learning to focus so that you get the most out of the time spent playing. And you’ll especially learn how to keep practice time fun so that you won’t avoid it!

Cross-tuned Fiddle - Betty Druckenmiller & Mark Tamsula
In the Southern Appalachians it’s common for fiddlers to use tunings other than the standard GDAE. Cross-tunings can give the fiddle that wonderful open, old-timey sound!

West African Drumming - Kelly e Parker
This session will go beyond whar a drum circle generally teaches. You'll learn the basics of playing West African Djembe as well as traditional West Africian rhythms.

Jamming - Howard Blumenthal
For all levels of singers and all instruments beyond beginner.

11:30 - 12:30

Contradancing: Beyond the Basics - Montage & Bob Nicholson
For those who want to go beyond the level of dancing we did Saturday night, we’ll do some more challenging dances. Montage is an awesome contradance band, so you may want to come just to hear them!

Simplified Versions of Common Tunes - Karen Hirshon & Linda Littleton (Simple Gifts)
By leaving notes out of a tune, you’re better able to play it up to speed. We’ll look at a few standard tunes and learn simple versions that will allow you to keep up in a jam. This workshop is for melody players only and targeted to advanced beginner level. Sheet music will be provided.

Sounding Old Timey - Tom & Betty Druckenmiller
We’ll look at rhythm, accenting and other characteristics that make a tune sound old-timey. For all instruments, all levels beyond beginner. We will work by ear.

Flatpicking Mandolin and Guitar – Henry Koretzky & Mark Tamsula (Keystone Rebels)
Tips and techniques for all levels beyond beginner.

Kid's Band - Clark Parry & Cindy Durkee
Kids will prepare a piece to perform during lunch on Sunday. This is for both kids who already play well and kids with no musical experience, but kids only.

Slow Jam - Linda Huber & Peggy Shutes
We’ll stick with commonly known songs and tunes, playing them slowly enough for less experienced players to keep up and for more experienced players to experiment with harmonies and improvisation.

12:40

Group Photo
Meet at the furnace if it’s nice out or blacksmith shop if it’s raining. Bring your instrument and a smile!

12:45

Lunch* and jamming