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Traditional Folk Music

UVMC offers lessons, classes, and workshops in traditional styles on a variety of instruments.

Our mission is to connect the local music community with the best traditional musicians for performances and workshops, bring people together for music-making events, and offer lessons at all ability levels with highly skilled faculty members.

Accordion and fiddle player at Upper Valley Music Center
Fiddle player at Upper Valley Music Center
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Classes

Monday Night Fiddle

Mondays 7 - 8 pm
Spring 2024: March 18-May 13

Learn tunes and styles from Celtic, French Canadian, Cape Breton, and New England Contra Dance traditions.

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Traditional Ensemble: The Art of Small Ensemble Playing, Part 2

Wednesday 6:30-8:30 pm
Fall 2023: September 6 - November 15
Spring 2024: March 6-May 15

Learn to play traditional tunes in an ensemble.

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Kids Beginner Ukulele

Wednesdays, 5:15-6:15 pm
Spring 2024: February 7-May 15

Learn the basics in a supportive environment for kids ages 8-13.

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Guitar student working with UVMC faculty

Beginning Guitar Parts 1 & 2

Saturdays 3-4 pm
Fall 2023: September 11-January 15
Spring 2024: January 27-May 26
UVMC Elgar Room

Develop your skills to confidently play through complete songs and get comfortable playing music with others.

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Guitar student working with UVMC faculty Tristan Bellerive

Intermediate Group Guitar

Saturdays 2-3 pm
Spring 2024: January 27-May 26
Fall 2023: September 11-January 15
UVMC Elgar Room

Group guitar class for intermediate players who want to strengthen improvisation skills, fretboard knowledge and more.

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English Country Dance Music Sessions

Sundays 7-8:30 pm
Second and Fourth Sundays
Fall 2023: September 24-January 14
Spring 2024: January 28-June 16

UVMC English Country Dance Instrumental Music sessions provide a friendly, flexible and spontaneous small ensemble setting for beginning, intermediate to experienced players of a variety of traditional instruments.

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Fiddle students listening to a new tune.

Beginning Fiddle

Tuesdays 6-7 pm
Spring 2024: January 30-May 7
Fall 2023: September 12 -December 5 (Part 1)

Beginning adults start with the very basics: how to hold the fiddle and bow with clean, relaxed technique that fits your body, how to “hear” and remember a tune.

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Harp Group Class

Monthly on Thursday, 6:15-7:15 pm
Spring 2024: Jan 25, Feb 8, Mar 14, Apr 25, May 16
Fall 2023: Sept 28th Oct 26th Nov 30th Dec 14th
Britten Room

Explore traditional tunes and techniques on harp in a supportive setting.

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Events

English Country Dance – Open Band

Sunday, March 24,
2:00 pm
to 5:00 pm EDT
Tracy Hall

Play along with the band for an English Country Dance with band led by Carol Compton

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A Little Lunch Music: Jeremiah McLane and Eric Boodman

Friday, March 29,
12:00 pm
to 1:00 pm EDT
Free
Upper Valley Music Center

A free lunchtime concert with UVMC faculty and special guest.

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Barn Dance with Open Band

Friday, April 5,
5:00 pm
to 7:00 pm EDT
Free
Cornish Town Hall

Join Upper Valley Music Center and Cornish Library for an old-fashioned family dance!

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Questions?

If you’d like to learn more about our traditional folk music offerings, visit our FAQ page or contact us with your questions.