Folk Music Experience

Theme: Summer of Soul, Summer of Woodstock

This course combines playing and singing folk music with the study of the contexts in which folk music has evolved. For this quarter, the course will focus on music and happenings surrounding the 1969 Harlem Cultural Arts Festival and the 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Fair. We will look at the stories of these festivals and compare and contrast the experience of organizers, musicians, and festival-goers of the two festivals. Students will be expected to participate in discussions on the readings during the first six weeks of the course. Each student will also be asked to introduce one song to the class that enriches our knowledge of folk music or the context within which folk music has been written and performed. These songs should be related to the two festivals and the 1960's music scene. Students will write a short research paper that forms the basis for their presentations on the song and its context. Students will also be responsible for learning and practicing the songs that are presented to the class, including practice in small groups. Students are encouraged to gain practice at playing one or more folk music instruments during the course and are invited to join the course even if they are beginners at playing an instrument or if they prefer to just sing. Texts: There will be no text for this course. All readings and other media will be available on Canvas. Requirements for credits and criteria for evaluation: Regular attendance and participation in our weekly sing, informed participation in class discussions, one short research paper and song presentation, and practicing music in a small group.