Folk College: The perfect small camp for anyone looking to improve their playing

One of our biggest events of the year is Folk College. Held every year on Memorial Day weekend at Juniata College (May 26-28 this year), Folk College was founded to help more people learn to play music together. It is a non-competitive environment where you can kindle—or rekindle—your love of playing through folk music.

Each year the staff includes nationally known musicians and wonderfully nurturing teachers from a broad spectrum of folk styles. Within one weekend, you’ll have a choice of workshops ranging from old-time to Celtic to blues to international, and you’ll get to sing, dance, play, and listen. This year’s faculty of professional musicians includes ost band Simple Gifts, Pittsburgh-based folk/Americana group Buffalo Rose, country blues duo Piedmont Blūz, new old-fashioned duo Resonant Rogues, Celtic duo Rakish, Asia meets Appalachia group Appalasia, and more. And the small music camp allows you to get to know and interact with the musicians. (And meet fellow participants and make new friends.)

Opportunities for Local Residents

For local residents, Folk College provides a number of opportunities.

1. If you are a musician or a want-to-be musician, you can participate for the whole weekend. There are workshops galore for you to choose from. More details are here.

2. You can come to the public concerts on Friday and Saturday nights. As part of Folk College, a live folk music concert is open to the public. Friday’s concert features host band Simple Gifts, country blues duo Piedmont Blūz, & new old-fashioned duo Resonant Rogues. Saturday’s concert features Asia meets Appalachia group Appalasia, Celtic duo Rakish, & Pittsburgh-based folk/Americana group Buffalo Rose. Tickets are available in advance and at the door. Tickets are $20 for general admission for each night and $16 for current Arts Council members.

3. There is a contradance after the Saturday night concert. Dancers and spectators are welcome.

Hope to see you there!