Old Town School of Folk Music

Legendary Classes, Concerts & Community Since 1957

[oldtownschool-blog]

Audio-video jazz improv: Mn’Jam Experiment, w/teens

What’s really new in improvisational music? Where else can innovation go? Mn’JAM Experiment — singer Melissa Oliveira and her visual/electronics/turntablist partner JAM — ar…

Last week, Old Town School Teen Arts Collective students attended a 2-day workshop and performed at our weekly World Music Wednesday concert with visiting artists Mn’JAM Experiment as part of our Transatlantic Music Series.

Learn more about Teen Arts Collectives: ots.fm/teencollectives and the Transatlantic Music Series: http://ots.fm/transatlantic

[oldtownschool-blog]

Chicago icon Reggio McLaughlin has been teaching tap dance for kids and adults at Old Town School since 1994 and is a recipient of the 2015 Distinguished Teaching Artist Award. He has performed around the world, raising the recognition and admiration of tap dancing in the global community. In this episode of On the Spot, Reggio describes how he fell in love with tap and how it makes him feel. ots.fm/onthespot

[oldtownschool-blog]

We’re so excited to introduce our new video series, On the Spot. New videos featuring the incredible faculty, staff, students, and characters of the Old Town School family will be released weekly-ish, so be sure to check back here and at ots.fm/onthespot soon for tales from our inspiring community of talented folks!

[oldtownschool-blog]

Happy Valentine’s Day! We pick you!

[oldtownschool-blog]

Happy holidays from Old Town School's Memory Singers, a group class for folks learning to live with memory loss and those who care for them. This group offers a fun and authentic musical experience by tapping into the brain’s remarkable ability to creatively engage in the moment through music.

Learn more at ots.fm/memorysingers

[oldtownschool-blog]

Scenes from today’s masterclass with Tony Allen, master Afrobeat drummer & rhythmic architect behind classic Fela Kuti songs. What a treat to have Tony share his knowledge about music, music cognition, concepts of rhythm, time & breath

[oldtownschool-blog]

NBA on TNT on Twitter

“.@SHAQ takes yodeling to a whole ‘nother level on The Big Highlight! 🎶😂 https://t.co/A4T6Q8hMh6”

Old Town School’s first teacher, Frank Hamilton, gives Shaq a yodel lesson! 

[oldtownschool-blog]

Midday Fix: Old Town School of Folk Music’s Irish Ensemble

Old Town School Irish Session Ensemble Old Town School of Folk Music: 4544 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago The Old Town School of Folk Music’s Ensemble Classes, which gives students the opportunity to play with and learn from each other. From jazz and folk to pop and world music, there’s a session for every musical taste.

[oldtownschool-blog]

WATCH: Emily's guitar recital had everyone jamming | Emily | BIG 95.5

Emily FINALLY shares how her guitar lessons are going.

[oldtownschool-blog]

The Old Town School of Folk Music at 60: Music tonight and every night since 1957 | 98.7WFMT

Over the last sixty years the Old Town School of Folk Music has grown from humble beginnings to become the largest non-profit community arts school in the United States.

"It’s the music and the people who make the Old Town School of Folk Music so special. The teachers, the students, and the visiting performers are all part of its collective memory and a collaborative future." A wonderful piece on our 60-year history from our longtime friends at WFMT. 

[oldtownschool-blog]

Rest in peace, Hugh Masekela. We were honored to present Hugh several times at Old Town School over the years. His music and activism will be sorely missed. Photo: Hugh Masekela live at Old Town School - March 2014 by Phil Onofrio

[oldtownschool-blog]

Teen Arts Collectives is a new program that combines both group rehearsals and private lessons with our professional teaching artists there to guide the way. Collectives allow groups of young artists to pool their talents and resources and work together, acting as co-creators, editors, mentors, and learners. Rolling registration is open through January 26. Learn more at ots.fm/teencollectives

[oldtownschool-blog]

Join Old Town School of Folk Music on an exploration through the neighborhoods that embody the rich musical history in Chicago and connect to the social movements and cultural traditions that helped define world-changing musical genres. See the full schedule of events at ots.fm/soundtrackchicago

Chicago has always led the nation in musical creativity and activism, and Soundtrack Of The City combines both. The spiritual successor to past IncentOvate grant projects Iron Heart Chicago and 77 Beats, Soundtrack Of The City explores the connection between Chicago neighborhoods and the arts that inspire and unite a city with a true cultural pulse. #soundtrackchicago

[oldtownschool-blog]

Bau Graves & Gregg Ostrom, Part 1 - "This is what I've been practicing for"

Musician and musicologist Bau Graves has been the Executive Director of the Old Town School of Folk Music since 2007--but he's also well-known around the school for his humor, and as the director of t

We're celebrating General Director Bau Graves' 10 year anniversary at Old Town School this month! Listen to excerpts of Bau's StoryCorps interview with teaching artist/musician/staffer Gregg Ostrom about the challenges, rewards, and reflections from his decade here as "The Big Cheese." This and other Old Town School stories - as well as info on how you can record your own story with us - can be found at ots.fm/storycorps

[oldtownschool-blog]

Happy Halloween! 

[oldtownschool-blog]

Go, Cub, Go! Let’s Fly the W again back home this weekend! 

[chicagohistorymuseum-deactivate]

The Aldine Building at 909 West Armitage Avenue in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood was designed by Joseph Bettinghofer and constructed in 1896. It once housed the Old Town School of Folk Music and its sister organization, the Old Town Folklore Center, pictured here on September 1, 1969, and is now home to the Old Town School Music Store. Photograph by Sigmund J. Osty

To purchase a copy E-mail [email protected] and give them this number: ICHi-30467

Connect with us Visit the Museum’s website Shop our PhotoStore Search our digital collection