The Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago, Illinois
Contents
The Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago, Illinois is the largest and oldest nonprofit educational institution dedicated to teaching folk music.
Introduction
The Old Town School of Folk Music is a music school in Chicago, Illinois. It was founded in 1957 by Frank Hamilton, who had studied folk music with Woody Guthrie. The school offers classes in a variety of musical genres, including folk, blues, country, bluegrass, and jazz. It also offers private lessons and instruments for sale or rent.
History
The Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago, Illinois is the largest and oldest teaching institution of folk music in the United States. It was founded in 1957 by Frank Hamilton and Win Stracke. The school moved to its current location in the Lincoln Park neighborhood in 1964.
Early Years
The Old Town School of Folk Music was founded in Chicago in December 1957 by Tony Saletan, then a young journalist and former jazz musician, and his wife, Mary Saletan, a former dancer. They sought to create a place where people could come together to learn, play, and enjoy music from around the world.
The school began in a small rented space on North Avenue with just six students. It quickly grew in popularity, attracting students of all ages and levels of experience. By the early 1960s, the school had relocated to larger quarters on Armitage Avenue and was offering classes in everything from banjo to bongo drums to opera.
In the 1970s, the Old Town School expanded its program to include an array of folk dance classes and concerts, as well as an acclaimed children’s music program. The school also began hosting nationally known musicians for workshops and performances.
Today, the Old Town School is one of the largest and most respected music schools in the country. It offers more than 700 classes each week in everything from accordion to Zydeco dancing, for students of all ages and abilities. The school also presents more than 500 concerts each year, featuring both emerging and established artists from around the world.
The Great Depression and World War II
The school suffered in the Great Depression, like most other institutions in the United States, but it flourished again in the 1940s as many Americans looked for meaning and distraction in music during World War II. The school’s membership rolls grew to over 5,000 students by 1947, and over 20,000 people attended concerts at the school each year. Noted alumni from this era include the singer-songwriter Bob Gibson, who wrote “Abraham, Martin and John,” and Barbara Ulichney (later Barbara Schenck), a Close Harmony student who began her musical career at OTSFM and went on to perform with Burl Ives, Odetta, and Woody Guthrie.
The Folk Revival
The late 1950s and early 1960s saw a renewed interest in folk music in the United States, spurred in part by the success of The Weavers, Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, and Huddie “Lead Belly” Ledbetter. The Folk Revival brought folk music back into the mainstream of American popular culture. In Chicago, the Old Town School of Folk Music played an important role in this movement.
Founded in 1957 by ardent folk music fans Frank Hamilton and Win Stracke, the Old Town School of Folk Music offered classes in everything from singing to guitar to banjo to harmonica. The school quickly became a hub for the Chicago folk scene, hosting musical events and attracting some of the biggest names in folk music to teach classes and give concerts.
In addition to promoting folk music, the Old Town School of Folk Music was also committed to social justice. Many of the songs taught at the school had political messages, and performing them was a way for people to express their beliefs. The school was also a gathering place for activists working on civil rights, labor rights, and peace issues.
The Old Town School of Folk Music is still going strong today, offering classes and concerts to people of all ages. It remains an important part of Chicago’s cultural landscape and an important part of the history of folk music in America.
The Old Town School Today
The Old Town School of Folk Music first opened its doors in December 1957 and has since become an iconic fixture in the Chicago music scene. The school offers a wide variety of classes and programs for students of all skill levels, from beginners to professionals. And with over 700 concerts and events per year, there’s always something going on at the Old Town School.
Programs and Classes
The Old Town School of Folk Music offers a wide variety of classes and programs for students of all ages, abilities, and interests. We have everything from music lessons and ensembles to dance classes and workshops.
Our music program is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the country, offering instruction in over 15 different instruments. We also have a world-renowned faculty of over 400 instructors who are passionate about teaching folk music.
We offer a variety of class formats, including private lessons, group classes, workshops, and drop-in classes. We also have a robust online learning program that offers courses and video lessons on a variety of topics.
No matter your age or skill level, we have a class or program that is right for you!
Concerts and Events
The Old Town School of Folk Music is a music school in Chicago, Illinois, United States, founded in 1957 by Sinclair Traill to teach traditional folk music and instruments. The school offers classes in music and dance to children and adults. The school has more than 700 concerts and events per year.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago, Illinois is a great place to learn about and enjoy folk music. The school offers a wide variety of courses, excellent instructors, and a supportive community. If you’re interested in folk music, this is definitely the place for you.
