The Old Town School of Folk Music – a Chicago Institution

The Old Town School of Folk Music is a Chicago institution that has been teaching folk music for over 60 years.

What is the Old Town School of Folk Music?

The Old Town School of Folk Music is a Chicago institution that has been teaching the joys of folk music to generations of students since it was founded in 1957. Located in the heart of Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood, the school offers a wide variety of classes and workshops for all levels of ability, from beginners to seasoned performers. The school is also home to a vibrant community of musicians who come together to perform, practice, and share their love of music.

The Old Town School of Folk Music’s History

In 1957, a group of Chicagoans got together with the intention of starting a school where people could come to learn about and appreciate folk music. They found a location in the city’s Old Town neighborhood and started offering classes. The school grew over the years, adding more and more classes and attracting students from all over the world. Today, the Old Town School of Folk Music is a Chicago institution, offering classes, concerts, and events to people of all ages.

The Old Town School of Folk Music’s founding

In December 1957, as the Village Vanguard jazz club was preparing to open its doors on Seventh Avenue in New York City, co-founder Max Gordon turned to his friend and fellow music lover Frank Hamilton and said, “You know, Chicago needs a club like this.” And with that, the idea for the Old Town School of Folk Music was born.

The Old Town School of Folk Music opened its doors in Chicago on December 1, 1959 with a mission to “build a greater sense of community through music and dance.” Founded by Frank Hamilton, Mary Liesener, and Bernie Glickman, the Old Town School began as a volunteer-run operation in a tiny basement classroom at 333 West Ohio Street. In its early days, the school offered classes in barrelhouse piano,jug band music, and Appalachian clogging; today, it is the largest continuing education institution of its kind in the world, offering more than 700 classes each week in everything from bluegrass banjo to Mariachi trumpet.

The Old Town School of Folk Music’s early years

In the late 1940s, Frank Hamilton and Elizabeth Lockwood, two University of Chicago students, started teaching guitar and banjo out of their apartment on Armitage Avenue in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. The two were soon joined by Win Stracke, a well-known local folksinger, who started teaching guitar and harmonica. When Stracke left to join the merchant marine in 1950, he was replaced by Walter Lindenmaier. By 1951, the little school had outgrown its apartment space and moved to a small storefront on Wells Street in Old Town.

In 1957, with the addition of Kate and Gordon Powers as co-directors, The Old Town School of Folk Music relocated again – this time to 909 W. Armitage Avenue in Lincoln Park. The School occupied the second floor of the building, which also contained several businesses – including a barbershop – on the ground floor.

The Old Town School of Folk Music’s recent history

In 1957, the Old Town School of Folk Music was founded on a simple idea: that the power of music can bring people together and help to create a more just and compassionate world. This idea has been at the heart of the Old Town School from its earliest days, when students and teachers came together to learn and share music from around the world.

In the nearly 60 years since, the Old Town School has become an international folk music institution, with over 10,000 students taking classes each year at its two campuses in Chicago. The school has also been a leading force in the folk music revival of the past few decades, nurturing some of America’s most beloved musicians, including Steve Goodman, John Prine, Bonnie Raitt, and Richie Havens.

The Old Town School’s influence extends far beyond its classrooms. The school is a gathering place for Chicago’s vibrant folk music community, hosting hundreds of concerts and events each year. And through its acclaimed teaching artist program, The Old Town School shares its expertise with students of all ages across Chicago.

Today, TheOld Town School is as vibrant and relevant as ever, carrying on the tradition of bringing people together through music.

The Old Town School of Folk Music’s Programs

The Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago, Illinois is a renowned music institution that offers a variety of programs for both children and adults. Some of their programs include after-school classes, camps, and private lessons. Their mission is to “provide the fullest possible opportunity for adults and children to learn about, appreciate, and participate in the folk arts.” In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of their programs and what they have to offer.

The Old Town School of Folk Music’s Music Education Program

The Old Town School of Folk Music believes that music is for everyone. We offer a variety of music education programs for all ages, levels, and interests.

Our group classes are taught by experienced musicians and are designed to be fun and educational. Students will learn about the history and origins of the music, as well as gain performance skills. We offer classes for all levels, from beginner to advanced.

We also offer private lessons for those who want a more personalized music education experience. Private lessons are tailored to each student’s individual needs and goals.

In addition to our music education program, we also offer a variety of concerts and events throughout the year. These events are open to the public and provide an opportunity to see some of the world’s best folk musicians perform live.

The Old Town School of Folk Music’s Performance Program

The Old Town School of Folk Music’s Performance Program is designed to give students the opportunity to perform in front of an audience. The program is open to all levels of ability, from beginners to experienced performers. The program offers classes for all ages, from children to adults.

The Old Town School of Folk Music’s Impact

Founded in 1957 on the north side of Chicago, the Old Town School of Folk Music has been teaching, promoting, and preserving folk, blues, and other vernacular music forms from around the world for over sixty years. What started as a small, grassroots operation has blossomed into an internationally renowned music school, with an influential alumni network and far-reaching impact.

The Old Town School of Folk Music’s influence on the music industry

The Old Town School of Folk Music has been a Chicago institution for over 60 years, and its impact on the music industry is impossible to overstate. The school has produced countless folk, rock, and blues legends, including Bob Dylan, Steve Goodman, John Prine, and Bonnie Raitt. It has also been a breeding ground for new talent, incubating the likes of Jeff Tweedy (Wilco), Sufjan Stevens, and Arcade Fire.

The Old Town School’s commitment to making music accessible to everyone is evident in its programming. In addition to offering traditional classes in guitar, piano, and voice, the school also offers courses in everything from fiddle to banjo to songwriting. And with over 500 concerts per year, there is always something exciting happening at the Old Town School.

The Old Town School of Folk Music’s influence on the Chicago music scene

The Old Town School of Folk Music is a music school in Chicago, Illinois, that offers classes and workshops in a variety of musical styles. It also offers concerts and other events to the public.

The school was founded in 1957 by Frank Hamilton, Win Stracke, and George Mitchell. It was originally housed in an old building on Armitage Avenue in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. The school moved to its current location on North Avenue in 1978.

The Old Town School of Folk Music has had a profound influence on the Chicago music scene. Many famous musicians have either studied or taught at the school, including Steve Goodman, John Prine, Bonnie Raitt, Ry Cooder, andAretha Franklin. The school has also played an important role in preserving traditional folk music and making it available to new generations of people.

The Old Town School of Folk Music’s Future

The Old Town School of Folk Music is one of Chicago’s most beloved institutions. For over 60 years, the school has provided tens of thousands of students with a community and an education in music. The school is currently facing some financial challenges, and its future is uncertain.

The Old Town School of Folk Music’s plans for the future

The Old Town School of Folk Music is a Chicago institution. It has been teaching music to people of all ages for over sixty years. The school has always been located in the same building on Armitage Avenue, but it is now facing eviction. The school has been trying to raise money to buy the building, but so far they have only raised a fraction of the amount they need.

The Old Town School of Folk Music is a very special place. It is not just a music school; it is also a community center and a place where people can come to learn about and enjoy folk music. The school offers classes for all levels of students, from beginners to those who are already proficient musicians. The school also offers concerts and other events that are open to the public.

The Old Town School of Folk Music is an important part of Chicago’s cultural heritage, and it is important that the school be allowed to stay in its current location. The school has been an important part of the Armitage Avenue community for many years, and it would be a shame to see it forced to move.