The Folk Music Society of Greater New York

The Folk Music Society of Greater New York is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of traditional and contemporary folk music, dance, and related arts.

What is Folk Music?

Folk music is the music of the people. It is music handed down from generation to generation, usually orally, often with few or no changes in the melodies or words. Songs about real life experiences, love, work, play, and death are some of the most common topics found in folk music. The artists who write and perform folk music are usually everyday people who want to express themselves and their feelings through their music.

Folk music has been around since people first started making music. It is found in all cultures and countries around the world. Folk music sometimes includes Traditional Music, which is music that has been passed down within a certain culture for many generations. Traditional Music is usually older than what is considered Contemporary Folk Music. Contemporary Folk Music includes songs that have been written more recently, often by more well-known artists, but still reflect the folk tradition of storytelling through song.

The Origins of Folk Music

Folk music has its origins in the music of the people of medieval Europe. The term “folk” is derived from the Old English word “folc” which means “people”. The music of the folk was the music of the people and it was passed down from generation to generation. The folk music of Europe was the music of the peasantry and it was a reflection of their everyday life.

The British Isles

Much of the music we now know as folk music has its roots in the music of the British Isles. Celtic music, for example, is a fusion of Greek, Roman, and Germanic influences that can be traced back to the 5th century. Similarly, English folk music has been shaped by a number of factors, including the Norman Conquest, the Reformation, and the Industrial Revolution.

Over time, these various influences have given rise to a number of different genres of folk music, each with its own distinct history and sound. In Great Britain and Ireland alone, there are dozens of different regional styles of folk music, from the jigs and reels of Irish traditional music to the ballads of the Scottish Highlands.

And while folk music may have originated in the British Isles, it certainly doesn’t end there. Folk music is alive and well all over the world, from the United States to Africa to Asia. Wherever people have gathered together to sing and dance, you can be sure that folk music has not been far behind.

The United States

Folk music in the United States is primarily a product of the British and Irish traditions that were brought over by settlers in the 17th and 18th centuries. Many of the songs that were brought over were passed down from generation to generation, and some of them eventually made their way into the mainstream. One of the most famous examples of this is “The Star-Spangled Banner,” which was based on a folk tune called “The Anacreontic Song.”

As the United States began to grow and expand, so did its folk music. New genres and subgenres developed, influenced by the various cultures that made up the country. African-American spirituals, gospel, blues, and jazz are all examples of genres that have their roots in American folk music.

Today, folk music is still very much alive and evolving. While some traditionalists cling to the old ways, others are constantly experimenting with new sounds and styles. Folk music is truly a product of the people, and it will continue to change and evolve as long as there are people to sing it.

Canada

Folk music in Canada is often divided into two main groups: English-speaking and French-speaking. The term “Canadian folk music” is used to describe a wide variety of musical genres including traditional, contemporary, and world music.

English-speaking folk music in Canada includes Celtic, Anglophone, Maritime, Métis, and First Nations music. Celtic music is often found in the Maritimes and Newfoundland, while Métis fiddle music can be found in the Prairies. First Nations folk music has also been influenced by Celtic and English traditions.

French-speaking folk music in Canada includes Quebecois, Acadian, Cajun, and Métis fiddle music. Quebecois music is the most well-known form of French-Canadian folk music and includes such instruments as the spoons, accordion, fiddle, penny whistle, and violin.

The Folk Music Revival

In the late 1940s and early 1950s, the folk music revival in the United States was at its height. The Folk Music Society of Greater New York was one of the leading organizations of the time, promoting the music of Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Lead Belly, and other folk and blues musicians.

The United States

The United States has seen several important folk music revivals. The first, which took place in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, was based on the music of European immigrants. This revival spawned popular groups like the AlmanacSingers and the Weavers, who introduced folk songs to a wider audience.

The second revival began in the 1950s and was led by artists like Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, and Joan Baez. This revival brought folk music back into the mainstream and introduced a new generation to its power and beauty.

The most recent revival began in the 1990s and has been spearheaded by artists like Nirvana, Beck, and Ani DiFranco. This revival has brought folk music to a new audience, one that is more receptive to its message of social change.

Britain

In the 1950s and early 1960s, a series of singers—known as the “first generation” of the British folk revival—gained recognition for reviving traditional songs. Led by figures such as Ewan MacColl, Bert Lloyd, A. L. Lloyd, and Shirley Collins, this revival incorporated political protest and social commentary into its repertoire.

The Folk Music Society of Greater New York

The Folk Music Society of Greater New York (FMSGNY) is a non-profit, membership organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of traditional and contemporary folk music and related dance forms. The Society is open to people of all ages and musical interests.

History

The Folk Music Society of Greater New York (FMSGNY) is the oldest continuing folk music organization in the United States. It was founded in 1918 by Frank C. Warner, Elsiepleth Marden, and other New Yorkers who wanted to keep traditional music alive.

The Society held its first meeting on May 17, 1918 at the New York Public Library. In its early years, the Society organized concerts, radio programs, and dances featuring traditional music from around the world. The Society also published a monthly newsletter and a series of folk music instructional pamphlets.

In the 1930s, the Folk Music Society began holding an annual folk festival which featured musicians from all over the United States and Europe. The festival became so popular that it was moved to Carnegie Hall in 1934.

The Folk Music Society continued to grow throughout the 1940s and 1950s, adding new members and holding more events. In 1961, the Society opened its own folk music club, called The Bitter End, which quickly became a popular venue for both up-and-coming and established folk musicians.

Today, the Folk Music Society of Greater New York is still going strong. The Society continues to hold concerts, dances, and festivals featuring traditional music from all over the world.

Membership

The Folk Music Society of Greater New York is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational organization, founded in 1961 and chartered by the University of the State of New York. It is dedicated to the preservation and study of folk music and folk dance, primarily from the Greater New York City metropolitan area.

The Society sponsors public dances, concerts, lectures, workshops and sing-arounds throughout the year. We have an extensive lending library of folk music recordings, books andperiodicals available to our members. The Society also publishes a quarterly newsletter, The New York FolkloreSociety News.

Membership in The Folk Music Society of Greater New York is open to everyone with an interest in Traditional Folk Music and Dance. While many of our members are located in the Greater New York City metropolitan area, we also have members in other parts of the United States and abroad.

Activities

The Folk Music Society of Greater New York sponsors a wide range of activities to further its goals.

In addition to its weekly contradances, the Society holds several weekends of music and dance every year. The Spring and Fall Festivals are held at a camp in the Catskills, while the May Camp is held at a country estate on Long Island. All three events feature top-notch musicians from all over the Northeast.

The Society also produces a series of concerts featuring traditional musicians from around the world. These concerts are usually held at New York University, but have also been presented at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Brooklyn Academy of Music.