NYFS Resources: Ethnomusicology Organizations

A Who’s Who of Our Universe—Connect to organizations allied with the New York Folklore Society in fields of

Folklore and Folk Arts
Archives       Arts       Education
Ethnography & Anthropology       Ethnomusicology & Music
Heritage Tourism       Historic Preservation
History, Libraries and Museums

This universe is growing, so come back often.

FOLKLORE ORGANIZATIONS

Folk Arts Programs in Other Organizations

Regional and National Folklore Organizations

Is your organization missing from our resources page? E-mail us with your organization name, applicable program or center name, address, telephone and fax numbers, e-mail address, director’s name and title, an organizational description of 75 words or less, the URL of your web site if you have one, and the contact person for your web site. We will consider all submissions but reserve the right to select and edit those we feel are most appropriate for this site.

“Many would agree that musics which come out of strong traditions supported by communities have a distinctiveness and power that is not found where the link with tradition and community have been severed or severely weakened.”—John W. Suter, New York Folklore, 25: 1-4 (1999).

New York Folklore Society
P.O. Box 764
Schenectady, NY 12301
518/346-7008
Fax 518/346-6617
nyfs@nyfolklore.org

ALLIED ORGANIZATIONS

ETHNOMUSICOLOGY
MUSIC & DANCE

	American Banjo Fraternity Mary E. Smith, Executive Secretary 636 Pelis Road Newark, New York 14513 E-mail: msmith07@rochester.rr.com	The American Banjo Fraternity (ABF) is a non-profit organization devoted to the interests of the 5-String “classic” banjo. This banjo is strung with nylon or gut strings and played with the bare fingers — fingerstyle. The Fraternity was founded in the 1940s and today has over 300 members worldwide. The ABF publishes 5-STRINGER magazine, with historical and educational articles, advice on banjo technique, musical selections, rally reviews and photos, and notes on individual members and happenings. The ABF also maintains an extensive library of Classic 5-String Banjo music, made available to members for nominal postal and copy costs. The Fraternity hosts two rallies each year (May and October) at various locations. These get-togethers feature special educational programs, a business meeting, a Saturday banquet, and lots of banjo playing and discussion.
	Andy’s Front Hall P.O. Box 307, Wormer Road Voorheesville, NY 12186 800/759-1775 518/765-4193 Fax 518/765-4344 E-mail: mail@andysfronthall.com	Andy’s Front Hall has been a mail-order source of folk, traditional and acoustic music recordings, books, instruments and accessories for over 30 years. As of May 1, 2005, Andy’s Front Hall is no longer a full service mail order business. They will continue to make available self-produced books and recordings on their website, as well as other selected items. Discontinued stock is being sold at discounted prices.
	Arabic Music Retreat 617/512-8122 E-mail: kaycam@aol.com	Simon Shaheen’s Arabic Music Retreatwas held from August 12-19, 2006, at Mt. Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts. In 1982, Shaheen formed the Near Eastern Music Ensemble in New York, establishing a group that would perform the highest standard of traditional Arab music. This time also marked the beginning of Shaheen’s workshops and lecture/demonstrations in schools, colleges, and universities to educate the younger generation. To continue this exposure to Arab music and culture, Shaheen founded the Annual Arabic Music Retreat in 1997. Held each summer at Mount Holyoke College, this weeklong intensive program of Arabic music studies draws participants from the U.S. and abroad. You can download the informational and registration brochure from the website or join the Retreat e-mail list for future events.
	Arhoolie Foundation 10341 San Pablo Avenue El Cerrito, CA 94530 510/525-7471 Fax 510/525-1204 E-mail: foundation@arhoolie.org	The Arhoolie Foundation was established in 1995 for the purpose of helping to document, present, and disseminate authentic traditional and regional vernacular music. Through their activities, the Foundation seeks to educate as well as support and reinforce traditional and community values. One example of the Foundation’s projects is their Sacred Steel Instrument Fund, providing a source of instruments to talented musicians and supporting the African-American sacred steel guitar musical tradition, described in the NYFS’s Voices article, Sacred Steel and the Empire State. Their website provides information on how to join the foundation, Foundation news, and a listing of projects funded to date. The non-profit foundation shares its name, but is a separate organization from Arhoolie Records where you can purchase tradtional music on-line.
NYFS Member	Rich Bala, Folk Balladeer P.O. Box 179 Billings, NY 12510 E-mail: baladeer@aol.com	Rich Bala, like the troubadours of old, performs authentic, traditional folk music that weaves a tale of living history about people and their heritage. His songs come from the waterways, lumber camps, farms, and homes of those who helped shape the legacy of our folk culture. Since 1986, Rich has performed at coffeehouses, festivals, concert series, schools, museums, libraries, Elderhostels, and historic sites. In addition to his solo performances, he also plays with multi-instrumentalist Tom White as “The Barefoot Boys,” as well as with master storyteller Jonathan Kruk as “The Hudson River Ramblers.” In addition, Rich has taught courses, using folk songs to illustrate various aspects of history, at many Elderhostels, teacher training workshops, and conferences sponsored by The NY State Historical Association in Cooperstown, NY, and also at the SUNY Field Campus in Ashokan, NY.
	Berea College Appalachian Music Fellowship Program Harry Rice Special Collections & Archives Berea College Berea, KY 40404 E-mail: harry_rice@berea.edu	The Berea College Appalachian Music Fellowship Program supports graduate students, faculty, public school teachers, and/or performers in one to three month residencies for the purpose of conducting research in Berea’s collection of non-commercial traditional music and to promote the preservation of and access to that music. Fellowship stipends are $3000 per month. The Berea College Appalachian Sound Archives is mainly comprised of non-commercial sound and video recordings that document Appalachian history and culture and the history of Berea College. These recordings are especially strong in the areas of fiddle and banjo tunes; ballads and songs; Old Regular Baptist singing and preaching; folktales and legends; and oral history.
NYFS Member	Berggren Folk.com 99 Grove Street Ballston Spa, NY 12020 518/490-1809 E-mail: dberggren@nycap.rr.com	The website Berggren Folk.com provides information about recordings and concerts of Dan Berggren. Dan Berggren has been collecting, writing, and singing folk music of the Adirondacks for the past 30 years, with a style that captures the spirit of the mountains. A familiar voice at coffeehouses, museums, schools and libraries throughout New York State, Dan has also sung at festivals in Vermont, Connecticut, Michigan and Kentucky, and at concerts in Zimbabwe and Bulgaria. You can sign up for Dan’s newsletter for the latest information on his concerts and special events.
	Caffè Lena 47 Phila Street P.O. Box 245 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 518/583-0022 E-mail: sarah@caffelena.org	Caffè Lena is widely recognized as the oldest continuously operating coffeehouse in the United States. Opened in 1960, the café has helped to launch many of America’s best loved songwriters, including Bob Dylan, Arlo Guthrie, Ani DiFranco, and many more. Upon the death of our founder, Lena Spencer, in 1989, Caffè Lena was converted to a non-profit institution. Run by a small paid staff, a Board of Directors, and a team of volunteers, Caffè Lena remains true to Lena’s founding vision of simplicity, kindness to strangers, and art above profit. Check the calendar, join the mailing list or find out more about reservations or bookings on-line. Check out the Caffè Lena History Project with information about their developing historical archive.
	Center for Ethnomusicology Prof. Dieter Christensen, Director 701C Dodge, MC1815 Columbia University Broadway at 116th Street New York, NY 10027 212/854-1247 Fax 212/854-8191 E-mail: dc22@columbia.edu	The Center for Ethnomusicology, established in 1967 as a resource for teaching and research in ethnomusicology in the Department of Music at Columbia University, contains archives of sound and video recordings. A selective catalog can be accessed from their web site. The Center also sponsors colloquia and other events, with the schedule available on the web site.
	Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann North American Branch 14A North East Isles Drive North East, MD 21901 E-mail: admin@ccenorthamerica.org	Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCE) (pronounced "kol-tus kyol-tori air-in") is an international organization based in Dublin, Ireland, committed to the preservation and practice of traditional Irish arts such as music, singing, dance, and language. "Fleadh Cheoil" is the official title for a musical festival sponsored by CCE to propagate, consolidate and perpetuate Irish traditional music, both vocal and instrumental. Information on the festival for the Mid-Atlantic region can be found here.
	DanceFlurry Organization Bill Matthiesen, President Doug Haller, Administrative Director P.O. Box 448 Latham, NY 12110-0448 518/292-0133 E-mail: danceinfo@danceflurry.org	The DanceFlurry Organization supports traditional dance and music events in the Capital-Saratoga region, sponsoring a local dance series and special events such as the Dance Flurry Festival and the Adirondack Dance weekend. You can subscribe to a monthly calendar about traditional dance events in the Capital-Saratoga region from their webpage, as well as receive announcements about the Dance Flurry Festival, a weekend with dances, performances, workshops, jamming, and crafts. The 2008 Festival, February 15-17, features over 600 performers in seven venues. More information about tickets and performers can be found on their website.
	English Folk Dance and Song Society Cecil Sharp House 2 Regent’s Park Road London NW1 7AY UK E-mail: webmaster@efdss.org	The English Folk Dance and Song Society has been committed to the preservation and promotion of traditional song and dance in England for over one hundred years. The Folk Music Journal is the scholarly journal of the English Folk Dance and Song Society and has a particularly close association with the Society’s Vaughan Williams Memorial Library (VWML); it is free to members and may be purchased by non-members. VWML launched its collections on-line on May 6, 2006. Indexes to the collections of some of the best-known folk music collectors of the twentieth century are now available on the Library’s website, searchable by titles, the source singers’ names, and their place of residence and dates of collection. The indexes are also linked to the Roud Folk Song Index, a monumental database of 146,000 references to songs collected from oral tradition all over the English-speaking world.
NYFS Member	Ethnomusicology, Folk Music, and World Music Music Library Room 113, Music Building University of Washington Box 353450 Seattle, WA 98195-3450 206/543-1168 E-mail: musiclib@u.washington.edu	The Ethnomusicology, Folk Music, and World Music web site is a listing of links to organizations, institutions, archives, periodicals and publications, recording labels and distributors, and sites by geographical region. A great resource.
NYFS Member	Homespun Occasions Paul Rosenberg 538 Providence Street Albany, NY 12208 518/482-9255 800/908-HOME (4663) E-mail: paul@homespun.biz	Homespun Occasions offers the fun of being part of history as it comes alive through the songs and steps of traditional music and dance. Paul Rosenberg has been leading dances throughout the northeastern United States since 1986. The programs Paul presents consist of community dances from the Hudson Valley, United Kingdom, Appalachia, and New England, as well as international folk dances and African-American singing and playparty games. Paul also teaches traditional dances to children (as a visiting arts educator) in elementary schools. Homespun Community Dancing seeks to engender respect for other traditions and cultures; bring history, geography and social studies to life; develop coordination, rhythm, and appreciation of music; and foster attentive listening skills through an exploration of traditional dance.
	Folk Alliance Louis Jay Meyers, Executive Director 510 South Main Memphis TN 38103 901/522-1170 Fax 901/522-1172 Fax 301/588-8186 E-mail: fa@folk.org	Founded in 1989, the Folk Alliance is the realization of a vision that one organization could bind together the vast community of folk music and dance throughout North America, and become an important part of a movement to strengthen and spread the extraordinary traditions of folk music and dance. Each year in February, the Folk Alliance hosts a conference that includes showcases, panel discussions and workshops, dances and jam sessions, and an exhibit hall filled with artists, agents, record companies, presenters, and organizations designed to facilitate the exchange of information and business opportunities.
NYFS Member	Institute for Studies in American Music (ISAM) Ellie M. Hisama, Director Conservatory of Music Brooklyn College, CUNY 2900 Bedford Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11210 718/951-5655 Fax 718/951-4858 E-mail: isam@brooklyn.cuny.edu	The Institute for Studies in American Music (ISAM), part of the Conservatory of Music, is a research and information center that encourages and supports the study of American music of all periods and styles. ISAM’s research collections include books, periodicals, scores, microfilms, and records, available to students and scholars by appointment. ISAM sponsors conferences, lectures, symposia, and concerts.
	International Council on Traditional Music Stephen Wild, Secretary General Lee Anne Proberts, Executive Assistant International Council for Traditional Music ICTM School of Music The Australian National University Building 100 Canberra, ACT 0200 Australia (+61-2) 6125 5700 Fax: (+61-2) 6125 9775 E-mail: secretariat@ictmusic.org	The International Council on Traditional Music (ICTM) was founded in 1947, in London, England, by scholars and musicians as The International Folk Music Council. Ralph Vaughan Williams was its first president. In 1949, the Council was one of the Founding Members of the International Music Council-UNESCO, and is currently a non-governmental organization (NGO) in formal consultative relations with UNESCO. ICTM seeks to further the study, practice, documentation, preservation and dissemination of traditional music, including folk, popular, classical and urban music, and dance of all countries. ICTM world conferences are held biennially. Study groups hold periodic meetings; Study Groups current groups include Folk Musical Instruments, Historical Sources of Traditional Music, Ethnochoreology, Oceania , Iconography, Computer Aided Research, Music and Gender, Maqam, Music of the Arab World, Anthropology of Music in Mediterranean Cultures, Music and Minorities, and Music Archeology. The Council publishes the Yearbook for Traditional Music, the Bulletin of the ICTM, the Directory of Traditional Music, and other books and records.
	Irish Music Center Beth Sweeney, Director John J. Burns Library Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA 02467-3801 617-552-3956 Fax 617-552-3956 E-mail: imc@bc.edu	The Irish Music Center is an archival and listening center, committed to documenting the history of Irish traditional music in America. The center’s archives include commercial and field recordings, videorecordings, sheet music, manuscripts, photographs, memorabilia, and books about music. Many of the center’s archival holdings have been generously donated, including 78-rpm and LP recordings of solo instrumental music, sean nós singing, ensemble performances, céilí bands, and folk songs and ballads. The center also records performances and interviews at Boston College and works with the Irish Studies Program to sponsor Irish music events on campus.
	La Troupe Makandal Dr. Lois Wilcken, Executive Director 718/953-6638 E-mail: makandal@earthlink.ne	La Troupe Makandal is New York ’s center for Haitian drum and dance. La Troupe Makandal beats the drums of Vodou to represent the spirit of Haiti’s history and culture in theaters and schools. Begun in 1973 in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, the company left Haiti in 1981, regrouping in New York City, where it attracted new artists, both Haitians and friends of Haiti who are inspired by the company’s dedication to black history and culture. The company has distinguished itself in the United States for its theatrical representations of Vodou, a powerful but poorly understood form of Afro-Haitian spirituality. Under the direction of Master Drummer Frisner Augustin, an NEA Heritage Fellow (1999), the company has produced performances that link Haitian history and culture, challenge ingrained stereotypes, and preserve and develop Haitian music and dance traditions. The Executive Director of La Troupe Makandal, Dr. Lois Wilcken, is a professional ethnomusicologist who has published books, essays, and reviews, primarily about traditional Haitian drumming and dance, has presented her research at conferences in the United States and abroad.
NYFS Member	Mariachi Academy Itandehui Chávez-Geller Program Coordinator c/o Union Settlement Youth Services Center 1775 Third Avenue (98th Street) New York, NY 10029 646/436-5734 E-mail: info@mariachiacademyny.org	The Mariachi Academy of New York (MANY) is a community-based cultural initiative of the Center for Traditional Music & Dance (CTMD). MANY is keeping the Mexican heritage and culture alive in one of New York—s fastest-growing immigrant populations while sharing Mexican traditions across cultures through participation and performance. A community-led not-for-profit corporation, MANY works to develop the skills in musical training, discipline, creativity, and self-esteem while strengthening language, team working skills and a strong sense of identity to youth in New York.
NYFS Member	Ted McGraw 585-387-9116 E-mail: mcgraw@netacc.net	Ted McGraw’s web site has information for the record collector and for those in need of audio restoration services. A specialist in restoration, Ted can put your old recordings on CD or transfer your records or cassettes to CD or DAT or cassettes. The technology he employs makes it possible to remove much of the noise from old recordings without losing the quality of the original music. You can also find links from Ted's site to his Irish music radio shows, the "Irish Party House" and "Ol’ Fiddler" on WRUR in Rochester.
	Mid-Atlantic Chapter of The Society for Ethnomusicology (MACSEM) Jonathan Dueck, President (2006-2007)	The Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Society for Ethnomusicology (MACSEM) is a chapter organization of The Society for Ethnomusicology (SEM). MACSEM was established in 1981 and includes members from the states of Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, and the District of Columbia. MACSEM’s annual meeting (academic conference), held in late winter or spring, offers members a forum for presenting new work or work in progress, and opportunities to facilitate growth, professionalization and exchange among ethnomusicologists in the region.
	Mudcat Café Max D. Spiegel P.O. Box 3006 West Chester, PA 19381 610/517-8858	Mudcat Café has about 9000 songs in their Digital Tradition Database. If you don’t find what you are looking for in the database, you can post to their Forum. At their Mudcat Blues Museum, you can read about your favorite blues artists and get a tour of the blues. Some of the site’s features require you join; membership is free.
	Music from China 170 Park Row, #12D New York, NY 10038 212/941-8733 Fax 212/625-8586 E-mail: muschina@echonyc.com	Music From China (MFC) is a musical ensemble based in New York City that introduces audiences to traditional as well as contemporary Chinese music. Discover the sights and sounds of “silk strings and bamboo winds” with fiddles, lutes, plucked zithers, bamboo flutes, reeded mouth organs, and hammered dulcimers. Step back in time for several millennia and hear the ancient sounds of the sheng and the pipa, or listen to the compelling music of the erhu. The percussive strength of drums, gongs, cymbals, and woodblocks summons the spirit of ancient music and invokes the vitality of folk music and traditional opera. In addition to performing concerts, the group conducts lectures and workshop and offers in-school programs that integrate the study of China with the experience of live music and hands-on learning.
	New York Pinewoods Folk Music Club 450 Seventh Avenue, Suite 972-D New York, NY 10123 212/563-4099 E-mail: nypinewood@aol.com	The New York Pinewoods Folk Music Club sponsors concerts, classes, singing parties, and get-togethers focusing on traditional folk music. The FolkFone has a weekly listing of folk music concerts and events in and around New York City. The Folk Music Club also produces a monthly newsletter.
	New York State Old Tyme Fiddlers’ Association P.O. Box 24 Redfield, NY 13437 E-mail: chereshn@northnet.org	The New York State Old Tyme Fiddlers’ Association is an oraganization for those who enjoy playing or listening to old tyme fiddle music and helping to preserve this music in America. Throughout the summer, there are weekly weekend concerts in the Fiddlers’ Pavillion at the North American Fiddlers Hall of Fame in Osceola, New York. Check the calendar for upcoming events.
	Niagara Chapter of the Society for Ethnomusicology	The Niagara Chapter of the Society for Ethnomusicology has traditionally included ethnomusicologists from Ontario, Western New York, Western Pennsylvania, and Eastern Ohio. There are, however, no geographic restrictions on participation, so anyone in the region interested in ethnomusicology is welcomed. All of the chapter’s announcements, communications and programs are arranged by e-mail. To be included on this e-mail list, please contact: Rahkonen@iup.edu.
NYFS Member	Old Songs, Inc. 37 South Main St. P.O. Box 466 Voorheesville, NY 12186 518/765-2815 Fax 518/765-4344 E-mail: oldsongs@oldsongs.org	Old Songs, Inc. is a not-for-profit, educational organization dedicated to keeping traditional music and dance alive. With concerts, dances, classes and yearly festival, Old Songs brings traditional music, dance and storytelling to more than 12,000 people each year. The 27th annual Old Songs Festival of Traditional Music and Dance was held June 22, 23, and 24, 2007.
	Kayamanan Ng Lahi Philippine Folk Arts Joel Jacinto, Cultural Program Director E-mail: kayamanan@earthlink.net	Kayamanan Ng Lahi was founded in 1990 to preserve, present and promote the richness and diversity of the Philippine culture through dance and music. Since its inception, Kayamanan Ng Lahi has played a leadership role in providing technical assistance and training, and consultation, in providing innovative and culturally appropriate performances (edutainments) in folk dance education and instruction. and in planning numerous student, community folk dance groups throughout California and across the United States.
	The Polish Singers Alliance of America Ms. Mary Lou T. Wyrobek, President 491 Amherst Street Buffalo, NY 14207 716/875-7513 E-mail: wyrobekM@canisius.edu	The Polish Singers Alliance of America (PSAA), was founded in Chicago in 1889. It is an organization of amateur choral groups primarily interested in the preservation and promotion of Polish choral music. With an objective of perpetuating and disseminating Polish culture, the Alliance has established adult, academic, and junior choruses in Polish communities of North America, and arranges conventions, concerts and competitions.
NYFS Member	Stan Ransom: The Connecticut Peddler 35 Iowa Street Plattsburgh, NY 12903 518/563-5719 800/277-7695 E-mail: sransom@northnet.org	Stan Ransom, the Connecticut Peddler, is a traditional folk musician who plays hammered dulcimer, autoharp, mandolin, and guitar. His six recordings reflect his interest in New England and NYS music and folklore. He has twice received a Certificate of Commendation from the American Association of State and Local History. His site includes information about his programs and recordings, including lyrics to "The Ice Storm of 1998."
NYFS Member	Dave Ruch: Regional Song Traditions 155 St James Place Buffalo NY 14222 716/884-6855 E-mail: dave@daveruch.com	Dave Ruch is a performer, interpreter, and collector of traditional American and New York State folk songs. He gives over 325 concerts and workshops each year for schools, music festivals, libraries, historical societies, professional conferences, folk music organizations, museums and community events across New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio. Extensively involved in the arts-in-education field, he uses music to teach core curriculum and inspire young learners. Through concerts, workshops and residencies, he works with tens of thousands of students each year in preschool, primary, elementary, intermediate and middle school settings. His website provides information on various programs he has developed as well as his research into New York State traditional songs.
	Semilla Gabriel Guzmán 31-82 36th Street, #3F Astoria, NY 11106 347/813-7379 E-mail: info@semillanyc.com	Semilla is a collective of young Mexican musicians and dancers performing son jarocho, son huasteco and son de tarima in the New York City area. Hailing from diverse parts of Mexico, from Veracruz to Mexico City, Semilla focuses on the fandango, an ancient Mexican celebration with dance, music and poetry that originated in Veracruz, Mexico more that 300 years ago. The fandango is the result of the blend through all those years of Afro-Caribbean, Spanish and Indigenous influences.
	Society for Ethnomusicology Lyn Pittman Business Office Coordinator Indiana University 1165 E. 3rd Street Bloomington, IN 47405-3700 812/855-6672 Fax 812/855-6673 E-mail: sem@indiana.edu	The Society of Ethnomusicology promotes the research, study and performance of music in all historical periods and cultural contexts. Access information on the Society’s programs and publications as well as links to ethnomusicology-related sites from their web site.