New Name • New Location • Same Great Music Camp
Formerly Greenwood Furnace Folk Gathering
The Pennsylvania Furnace Folk Gathering is a weekend of music with plenty of opportunities to share, jam, dance, and learn.
Musical Fun
Pennsylvania Folk Gathering (formerly Greenwood Furnace Folk Gathering) is a friendly weekend of playing, singing, jamming, dancing and listening to folk music in the relaxed setting of a beautiful state park. There are activities for all levels from non-musician to advanced players, and all ages from mature children through adult are welcome. Forty-three different workshops in 8 time-slots cover a wide range of musical styles and interests, from Irish Tunes to Try a Ukulele to How to Play Melodies You Don’t Know to Hymn Singing, plus much more. Enjoy two concerts, a contradance, plus lots of formal and informal opportunities to jam.
Friendly
One of the unique features of the Pennsylvania Folk Gathering is the small size and friendly atmosphere. We are all here to learn, share, and enjoy the music, and our musical faculty have been chosen to encourage each of us to learn and share in a positive environment. Small workshop sizes permit open interaction with the faculty and with each other, giving the opportunity for everyone to learn from each other.
Do You Play Alone?
Do you look to play with others but are nervous about going to a music camp? Join us at Pennsylvania Folk Gathering 2024, and we will be that supportive community that you need -a comfortable and safe place to grow musically. We pride ourselves on being a “fun and friendly weekend,” and we mean it! Just take a look at this comment from a past attendee, Judy Minot: “Making music together in a welcoming, encouraging environment — what could be better? I’ve learned so much, in the workshops, in the jams, at lunch, everywhere!” We have workshops at all levels–from non-musicians (our “Try A” workshops) to advanced levels. Check out the full schedule. We hope you will join us!
Faculty
Simple Gifts
www.simplegiftsmusic.com
Folk Gathering’s host band is two women (Linda Littleton and Karen Hirshon) playing twelve instruments, performing styles that range from old time to Celtic to Klezmer and beyond. Combining tradition with innovation, Simple Gifts creates some of the finest arrangements in folk music today: swing fiddle creeps into a Romanian dance, spoons show up in an Irish reel, and the concertina ventures far beyond styles considered traditional for that instrument. Based in the hills of central Pennsylvania, Simple Gifts switches with ease among two violins, concertina, mandolin, banjolin, recorders, bowed psaltery, hammered dulcimer, baritone fiddle, guitar, piano, and percussion.
Tussey Mountain Moonshiners
Winners of the 2010 DelFest Bluegrass Band Competition, the Tussey Mountain Moonshiners hail from central PA, honoring the bluegrass traditions of the region. Their musical style ranges from traditional to Americana, with a dash of old time, and includes a captivating mix of unique, original songs. Their on-stage chemistry, amplified by the fun and strong connection they have with their audience, makes a Moonshiners show an experience not to be missed!
Bluegrass Unlimited said this about their debut album, I’m Going Home: “… the Tussey Mountain Moonshiners exude rich talent, enthusiasm, energy, and a wide knowledge of string music… Every single cut proves enjoyable … With admirably equal skill, authenticity, and enthusiasm, the Tussey Mountain Moonshiners … move from bluegrass to old-time to folk/Americana.”
Plus:
Jay Best • Henry Koretzky • Gene & Gayla Mills • Holly Foy • Cathy Petrissans & Jeff Parker
Larry Mutti • Laura Alexander • Howard Blumenthal • Bob Nicholson