The Folk Music Society of Midland

The Folk Music Society of Midland is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, educational organization dedicated to the preservation, study and performance of traditional and contemporary folk music.

What is Folk Music?

Folk music is the music of the people. It is passed on from generation to generation, and each singer or group puts their own spin on it. Folk music can be about anything, but it often tells the stories of real life experiences or historical events. It can be happy or sad, fast or slow, but it always comes from the heart.

The History of Folk Music

Folk music has been around for centuries and has evolved over time. It is a genre of music that is passed down from generation to generation and is usually specific to a certain culture or region. Folk music is often used to express the stories and experiences of the people who make it.

The Origins of Folk Music

The term “folk music” can have a number of different meanings, depending on who you ask. For some, it conjures up images of dusty old 78 rpm records and stern-faced men and women in traditional dress playing acoustic instruments. For others, it conjures up more modern images of Bob Dylan and the Newport Folk Festival.

The reality is that folk music is much more than just a musical genre — it’s a living, breathing tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation for centuries.

The origins of folk music are difficult to trace, but most scholars believe that it began in the oral traditions of the working class. In Europe, this would have included songs about love, work, death, and religious stories. These songs were often passed down from one generation to the next without being written down, and as they changed and evolved over time, they became an important part of the cultural identity of the people who sang them.

In the United States, folk music began to take on a distinctly American character in the 18th and 19th centuries as immigrants from around the world brought their own musical traditions with them. The result was a rich tapestry of sounds and styles that reflected the melting pot nature of American society at that time.

One of the most important things to remember about folk music is that it is constantly evolving. As new cultures mix with existing ones, new styles and subgenres are created. This makes folk music one of the most dynamic and exciting genres around — there’s always something new to discover!

The Development of Folk Music

Folk music was originally created by anonymous workers and was passed down orally from generation to generation. It wasn’t until the late 18th century that folk music began to be collected and published. The first major collection of folk songs was published in 1776 by Johann Gottfried Herder. Other important collections followed, including those of the Brothers Grimm and Francis James Child.

Folk music began to evolve in the 19th century, as performers began to add their own personal touches to the songs they sang. For example, ballad singers in Britain would often add new verses to existing songs. In the United States, folk songs were adapted to fit the growing nation’s identity. New instruments, such as the banjo and fiddle, were added to the traditional folk music repertoire.

The 20th century saw a renewed interest in folk music, both in Britain and the United States. In Britain, this was led by collectors such as Cecil Sharp and Vaughan Williams. In America, Folk music was popularized by performers such as Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger. The 1950s and 1960s saw a particularly strong revival of interest in Folk music, with the emergence of artists such as Bob Dylan and Joan Baez.

The Folk Music Society of Midland

The Folk Music Society of Midland (FMSM) is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of folk music in the Midland area. We are a non-profit organization that hosts a variety of events throughout the year including concerts, dances, and workshops. We also maintain a library of folk music recordings and books which are available to the public.

What We Do

The Folk Music Society of Midland is a non-profit organization that promotes the appreciation and study of folk music in the Midland, Michigan area. We hold monthly meetings with guest speakers, concerts, dances, and jam sessions. We also publish a quarterly newsletter, The Folk Herald, which contains articles on various aspects of folk music. We are affiliated with the National Folk Alliance.

Our Purpose

The Folk Music Society of Midland is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, educational organization dedicated to the preservation and perpetuation of traditional folk music and its related forms.

We accomplish our purpose through concerts, dances, jams, music and dance workshops, and other special events featuring local, regional, and touring traditional musicians; an extensive library of folk music recordings and books available for checkout by members; an active email discussion group open to the public; this website containing information about our activities as well as links to other resources of interest to folk music enthusiasts; and our quarterly newsletter, The Michigan Tradition.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Folk Music Society of Midland is a great place to enjoy live music. The talent and passion of the musicians is evident in every performance, and the wide variety of genres helps to ensure that there is something for everyone. If you are ever in Midland, be sure to check out a show!