Discover Folk Music in New Hampshire

Discover Folk Music in New Hampshire is a blog dedicated to finding and sharing the best folk music in the state. From traditional to contemporary, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Follow along and explore the wide world of folk music in New Hampshire.

What is Folk Music?

Folk music is a genre of music that is typically passed down from generation to generation orally, without the use of formal musical notation. Folk music is usually associated with acoustic instruments such as guitars, banjos, and fiddles, and often has a distinctly rural feel. New Hampshire is home to a wide variety of folk musicians, who perform at venues all around the state.

Folk music has its roots in the traditional music of England, Scotland, and Ireland. In the United States, folk music was brought over by immigrants from these countries, as well as from other European nations such as Germany and Scandinavia. Over time, American folk musicians began to develop their own style, blending elements of the traditional music they had brought with them with new influences from the places they now called home.

Today, folk music can be heard in a wide variety of settings, from small local coffeehouses to large international festivals. New Hampshire is home to many talented folk musicians, who often perform at venues around the state. If you’re interested in discovering more about this unique genre of music, there are plenty of ways to do so here in the Granite State.

The Roots of Folk Music

New Hampshire is a hotbed for folk music. The state has a rich history of producing folk musicians, and the genre is still going strong today. If you’re interested in discovering folk music, there are plenty of ways to do it. You can attend festivals, listen to radio shows, or explore online resources. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the roots of folk music in New Hampshire.

Traditional Folk Music

Traditional folk music is the term used to describe music that has been passed down orally, from one generation to the next. The music is usually learned by ear and passed on without the use of notation. This type of folk music is also sometimes known as “roots music” or “traditional music”.

New Hampshire is home to a rich tradition of traditional folk music. The state has a long history of French and English settlement, and its folk music reflects both of these traditions. New Hampshire is also home to a large community of Irish immigrants, who have brought their own unique musical traditions to the state.

Traditional folk music is still alive and well in New Hampshire today. If you’re interested in experiencing this type of music firsthand, there are plenty of opportunities to do so. The state is home to several festivals dedicated to traditional folk music, including the New Hampshire Folk Festival and the Northeast Traditional Music Festival. You can also find traditional folk musicians performing at venues all across the state.

Contemporary Folk Music

Folk music can be defined in many ways, but is often used to describe music that is based on traditional music, or the music of a particular region or group of people. In the United States, folk music often includes songs that were passed down orally from generation to generation, as well as songs written by modern musicians that reflect the traditions of their ancestors.

Contemporary folk music is a broad category that includes a wide range of musical styles. Some contemporary folk musicians are inspired by the sounds of traditional folk music, while others incorporate elements of rock, jazz, pop, or other genres into their sound. No matter what their influences may be, contemporary folk musicians often use their music to promote social and political change.

One of the most popular contemporary folk musicians is Bob Dylan, who was born in Duluth, Minnesota in 1941. Dylan began his career as a folk singer in the early 1960s, and his influential songwriting helped to shape the sound of popular music for decades to come. Dylan was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2016 for “having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition.”

Other well-known contemporary folk musicians include Joan Baez, Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, and Ani DiFranco.

Where to Find Folk Music in New Hampshire

Folk music is a genre of music that typically uses acoustic instruments and tells stories of the human experience. New Hampshire is home to many talented folk musicians. Here are some of the best places to find folk music in the state.

Festivals

Folk music is enjoyed by many people in New Hampshire, and there are several ways to discover and enjoy it. One popular way is to attend one of the state’s folk music festivals.

Some of the most popular folk music festivals in New Hampshire include the Freedom Folk Festival, the New Hampshire Highland Games, and the Dartmouth Folk Festival. These festivals usually feature a mix of traditional and contemporary folk music, and they offer a great opportunity to explore different styles of folk music from around the world.

In addition to folk music festivals, there are also a number of other ways to enjoy folk music in New Hampshire. Many towns and cities host regular folk music concerts, and there are often open mic nights at local bars and restaurants. You can also find folk music being played at farmer’s markets, craft fairs, and other community events.

Concerts

Folk music concerts are a great way to experience live music while also supporting the artists. Here are some venues in New Hampshire that regularly host folk music concerts:

-The Stone Church: Located in Newmarket, NH, the Stone Church is a music venue that hosts a variety of genres, including folk. They have regular concerts on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as an open mic night on Thursdays.
-The Beach Plum: The Beach Plum is a restaurant and bar located in Dover, NH that has live music every Friday and Saturday night. They frequently feature folk musicians.
-The Press Room: The Press Room is a music venue located in Portsmouth, NH that hosts a variety of genres, including folk. They have regular concerts on Fridays and Saturdays, as well as an open mic night on Wednesdays.
-3S Artspace: 3S Artspace is an arts organization located in Portsmouth, NH that frequently features folk musicians as part of their concert series. Check their website for upcoming events.

Workshops

Workshops are a great way to learn more about folk music and meet other people who share your interest. Check the calendar of events for upcoming workshops.

The Future of Folk Music in New Hampshire

Despite its tiny size, New Hampshire has a surprising number of great folk musicians. The state has a long history of folk music, dating back to the 1800s. Today, there are dozens of folk musicians in New Hampshire who are keeping the tradition alive. Here are just a few of the many talented folk musicians in New Hampshire.

The New Hampshire Folk Festival

The New Hampshire Folk Festival is one of the premier events in New England for lovers of folk music. The Festival features three full days of music on four stages, with more than 60 acts performing a wide variety of folk styles. In addition to the music, the Festival offers workshops, discussions, dance and children’s activities.

The New Hampshire Music Festival

The New Hampshire Music Festival (NHMF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, educational institution dedicated to the presentation of live orchestral and choral concerts and music education programs for the benefit of the citizens of New Hampshire’s Monadnock Region and beyond.

The mission of the New Hampshire Music Festival is to enrich the lives of the people of New Hampshire and beyond through the presentation of live orchestral and choral concerts, educational programs, and community engagement initiatives that celebrate the power of music.

The NHMF was founded in 1962 by a group of concerned citizens who recognized the need for a summer music festival in Keene, NH. The first season consisted of 6 concerts featuring such world-renowned artists as Gene Krupa, Tony Bennett, Marian Anderson, Philadelphia Orchestra, and The New York Philharmonic. In its second season, NHMF expanded its programming to include an opera production and has continued to produce high-quality opera ever since. Today, NHMF presents a full array of classical music concerts featuring world-renowned soloists, Symphonic Orchestra led by Maestro Donato Cabrera, Chamber Orchestra led by Jaime Laredo, and Chorus led by Dr. James Tompkins. Additionally, Chamber Music performances are given by members of the festival orchestra throughout the summer in various venues in Keene and surrounding communities.

The New Hampshire Songwriters Association

Formed in 2001, the New Hampshire Songwriters Association (NHSA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to nurture, empower and celebrate songwriters and the songs they write in New Hampshire and beyond.

The NHSA hosts events and programs throughout the year that are open to the public and designed to support songwriters at all levels of experience. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, we welcome you to join us!

Our signature event is the Granite State Songwriting Competition, which takes place each fall and offers cash prizes in multiple categories. The competition is open to songwriters of all ages and experience levels who reside in New Hampshire or who have significant ties to the state.

The NHSA also hosts regular showcases featuring some of New Hampshire’s best up-and-coming talent, as well as workshops on various aspects of songwriting led by top industry professionals.