This week from IMT is FREE. Don't get used to it! But Tuesday's SPARK open mics are ALWAYS free, and this weekend's Nicol-Brown bagpiping showcases and competition are kept free of charge thanks to donations from the EUSPBA,The Piobaireachd Society, and other generous sponsors and volunteers.
Tuesday night you can drop in for a showcase of Jeff Miller, an absolute master of the acoustic guitar, shifting effortless from intelligently constructed original songs to cleverly crafted, multi-laired loop compositions of a couple of covers here and there. Jeff Miller is our featured artist at the SPARK open mic: “His compositions are balletic, his live stage performance beguiling and befuddling, as one wonders, 'How is all that sound coming from one man?'”-Stacy Leiser, Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle
And then the weekend will begin with a judges’ recital, a rare opportunity to listen to performances from the world’s premier bagpipers and authorities on pipe music:
Saint Mark Presbyterian Church 10701 Old Georgetown Road, Rockville, MD
You may have seen a news item in August (or even a social media post from Prime Minister Mark Carney) about a pipe band from Canada that won the World Pipe Band Championship in Glasgow. That band was the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band from Vancouver, and the Pipe Sergeant, Craig Sutherland is also a premier solo piper, originally from Crieff, Scotland. He is a double-Gold-Medallist, a very big deal in the piping world.
Skip Cleavinger is a rare musician who is an elite performer on both the Great Highland Bagpipe and the Irish Uilleann Bagpipe...not to mention flutes and tin whistles. He lives not far from Nashville, and has toured with popstars and orchestras. Skip's wife, Rebecca Baumbach, is an accomplished fiddler, and will be our special guest for some duets during Skip's portion of the concert.
Catch them both THIS FRIDAY at 7.30pm w FREE ADMISSION (donations accepted for the benefit of the Nicol-Brown). Bring music fans of all ages and support the future of piping. This outstanding opportunity to listen to performances from two of the world’s premier pipers is co-sponsored by the Nicol-Brown Chalice and the Institute of Musical Traditions.
The contest and award ceremony follows the next day…
9:30am - 6:30pm w FREE ADMISSION (donations accepted for the benefit of the Nicol-Brown) - public WELCOME! Saint Mark Presbyterian Church 10701 Old Georgetown Road, Rockville, MD
Ten of the finest Amateur pipers from across North America will earn invitations this season to play in an elite solo competition consisting of three events: 6/8 Marches, Piobaireachd and MSR. The contest is dedicated annually to the memory of Robert U. Brown and Robert B. Nicol, two brilliant pipers and teachers.
Saturday, October 17th Institute of Musical Traditions presents Cécilia
7:30pm. Tickets : $25 advance (+$2 box office fee)/ $30 door. Seekers Church 276 Carroll St NW, Washington, DC 20012 | tickets at imtfolk.org
Tonight's show will be a sit-down concert at Seekers Church - if you'd like to follow up with a big DANCE show - definitely also get tickets for Sunday's performance at the Spanish Ballroom in Glen Echo!
Traditional Celtic and Quebecois music that causes a wonderful stir and fills to overflowing at every venue – that is Cécilia! Widely recognized as three of Canada’s finest musicians, it is a pleasure to see how much enjoyment Timi Turmel, Erin Leahy, and Louis Schryer find in playing together. While honouring their heritage as Cécilia, their music making has an undeniably fresh and high-spirited sound that sets them apart.
They bring the best of many musical worlds together in their explorations of traditional music. Every one of their pieces is skillfully arranged and highlighted with influences from contemporary, classical, jazz and swing styles. Cécilia’s recent debut album Accent is an impressive offering full of vibrant rhythms and melodies, all resonating with a unique warmth and richness of expression.
Each performance by Cécilia is a call to come out and share – not only in the joy of three dedicated musicians making music together, but also in creating with Timi, Erin, and Louis an infectiously energetic and memorable musical experience. You’ll find yourself with a smile that lasts long after the final notes of Cécilia’s accordion, piano, and violin have melted away.
Sunday, October 18th Institute of Musical Traditions presents Cécilia
7:30pm. Tickets : $15 (+$2 box office fee) The Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Glen Echo, MD 20812 | tickets at imtfolk.org
Info on getting to the Spanish Ballroom, parking and accessibility here.
Tonight's a big DANCE - if you want more of a sit-down concert experience, consider joining us at Seekers Church on Saturday the 17th!
Traditional Celtic and Quebecois music that causes a wonderful stir and fills to overflowing at every venue – that is Cécilia! Widely recognized as three of Canada’s finest musicians, it is a pleasure to see how much enjoyment Timi Turmel, Erin Leahy, and Louis Schryer find in playing together. While honouring their heritage as Cécilia, their music making has an undeniably fresh and high-spirited sound that sets them apart.
They bring the best of many musical worlds together in their explorations of traditional music. Every one of their pieces is skillfully arranged and highlighted with influences from contemporary, classical, jazz and swing styles. Cécilia’s recent debut album Accent is an impressive offering full of vibrant rhythms and melodies, all resonating with a unique warmth and richness of expression.
Each performance by Cécilia is a call to come out and share – not only in the joy of three dedicated musicians making music together, but also in creating with Timi, Erin, and Louis an infectiously energetic and memorable musical experience. You’ll find yourself with a smile that lasts long after the final notes of Cécilia’s accordion, piano, and violin have melted away.
Tuesday night open mics at Takoma Spark. School of Musical Traditions | 7112 Willow Ave., Takoma Park, MD 20912 | signup before the music starts at 7pm – list is drawn randomly throughout the night (but please talk to the host with scheduling constraints – we’ll try to be fair and understanding to everyone but know this is generally a well-attended evening running to 10.30pm or beyond!). The evening is free, but if we have a featured artist we hope that you can support them by tipping or purchasing merch, and we solicit donations for food and snacks!
This week w featured artist Jeff Miller! Jeff absolutely wins the award for most oft-repeated feature and that is because he is a true road warrior, crossing the eastern United States relentlessly, slinging his incredible compositions to ears far and wide. Hailing from Nashville, Jeff maintains an original, precise, and creative sound, playfully and joyfully knocking every possible sound loose from his well-traveled guitar, layering them with vocals and storytelling and an understated sense of humour that simply makes it a joy to host him again and again. No two shows are the same and I'm grateful he makes it to Maryland so often.
Upcoming Featured Artists include: 10/13 w Lauren Bennett Band, 10/27 w Silver Strings, 11/3 w D. Davis, 11/10 w American Nomad, 11/17 w Tinsmith, 11/24 w Happy 4th Anniversary!
Sponsored in conjunction with Institute of Musical Traditions AT School of Musical Traditions, down the street from HOUSE of Musical Traditions, this is a rare thing : a small LISTENING ROOM open mic. Parking is free but limited in our lot, watch the signs for street parking!
This is NOT a restaurant so bring your own food or NON-ALCOHOLIC drink if you want to eat or drink! We have some snacks and drinks available for a reasonable donation. We have a house keyboard, but it’s a small space, unable to support acts larger than a quartet, no drumkits please. 2 songs, 10 minutes, 1 pun – whichever’s shorter. Ostensibly family-friendly.
Webcasting Live (and archived) on Facebook.com/robsopenmics, YouTube.com/robsopenmics and Twitch.tv/robilyaimy.
As always - Thank you in advance for your support:
Please remember, as an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization Institute of Musical Traditions is made possible through ticket sales, grants and YOUR donations. Our Live webcasts don't make up for "real" shows - so IMT wants to weather the storm to be able to present these artists in the future! You can donate by heading over to paypal.me/imtfolk or by visiting us at https://imtfolk.org/support-imt And thanks to our sponsors for their continued support! We are a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization supported by contributions from individual donors and by funding from the Maryland State Arts Council
Institute of Musical Traditions Inc. is supported in part by funding from the Montgomery County Government and the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County.
Donations and Support
Be a patron of the arts if you're able and please consider making a tax-deductible donation to IMT. Even the smallest donation is a big help and you can give easily and securely at paypal.me/imtfolk or visit imtfolk.org for more information (and more ways to give!)
Perhaps you need a Daily Antidote of Song? - Join Washington Revels and Carpe Diem Arts each day at 12 noon for an inspiring and uplifting Daily Antidote of Song with international recording artists from a broad range of cultures and traditions. Seven days/week. Information on their website : carpediemarts.org
First Wednesdays Local Cream Songwriter Showcase FocusMusic presents and Annette Wasilik hosts this showcase of local and not-so-local singer/songwriters at Hank Dietle's in Rockville, MD at 8pm. info at annettewasilik.com
10/7 The Recher presents Joelton Mayfield 512 York Rd, Towson, MD info at therechermd.com
10/8 Songbyrd Record Cafe and Music House presents Robert Lester Folsom 2475 18th St NW, Washington, DC info at songbyrddc.com
10/24 - FocusMusic presents Alex Radus, Louie Lou Louis and Tina Ross The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Sterling | 22135 Davis Dr Suite 104, Sterling, VA info and tickets at focusmusic.org
IMT & Melodic Planet
Partnered with Institute of Musical Traditions, Melodic Planet creates and produces educational materials which encourage everyone to explore all kinds of music from around the world. Most recently, we've added Bulgarian folk singer Tzvetelina Dosseva's exploration of Bulgarian folk songs and instruments. View it as well as interviews about Norweigan folk music, Thai classical music, San Jarocho music, Chinese Opera, Boogie Woogie and Native American Powwow singing at imtfolk.org.
Here are a few organizations that share goals and values with IMT.
