Branford Folk Music Society

The Branford Folk Music Society, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization recognized as tax exempt under the Internal Revenue Service Code section 501(c)(3). The Society sponsors the Branford Folk Coffeehouse, a monthly folk music concert series, September through May, at the First Congregational Church, on the green in Branford, Connecticut.

The group also holds monthly "house hoots" at members' homes, open to all for informal singing and playing, and produces a monthly newsletter with schedules and information on concerts and folk performers in Connecticut and the region. Branford Folk Music Society members receive a copy of the newsletter in the mail, as well as discounts in admission to our coffeehouse concerts. Become a member of the Branford Folk Music Society.

September 11, 2010: Gloucester Hornpipe and Clog Society

The Society kicks off its 37th season of concerts with the rollicking and rousing Gloucester Hornpipe and Clog Society, a Massachusetts-based ensemble known for its diverse music ranging from a lively mix of Celtic jigs and reels, American Colonial-era tunes and sing-along sea chanteys to original songs of colorful people and places from New England's rich history. From ragtime to old-time, the band's friendly style is fun for all ages. Count on singing along to songs about Old Ironsides, a Boston Harbor ghost, the Great Sea-Serpent of Cape Ann, and sundry ships of the High Seas. The six-person band layers vibrant vocals and hearty harmonies with 16 different instruments, including fiddle, flute, banjo, tin whistle, accordion, mountain dulcimer, and guitar. Founder David Rosen plays the age-old delights of bones, spoons, bodhran, and pogocello, a percussion instrument that can be heard in the skiffle bands of England, jug bands from the United States, as well as some blues, bluegrass, folk and rock bands. The group trades off on an unusual four-string washtub bass, which adds a most amazing thump to their sonic landscape. The Gloucester Hornpipe and Clog Society enjoys performing around New England at concerts and coffeehouses, museums and historic sites, maritime festivals and outdoor summer series, and private events. Founded in 1971, the band, as one presenter of folk music characterized them, is "A band that's become a New England tradition unto itself!"

Listen to this audio webcast for the September 11th concert (7 m. 13 s.; MP3 format).

October 9, 2010: Hanneke Cassel Trio

Mark your calendars with a big red circle for this concert. Hanneke Cassel ranks simply as one of the Celtic and folk music world's finest fiddlers, offering a personal style that is elegant and graceful but also fiery and tenacious. As a music critic in the Boston Globe aptly observed, "She is already a rising star in the Celtic skies...her musical ideas are savvy and sophisticated, but her throaty, gusting style is deeply banked in the Scottish and Cape Breton traditions." A native of Oregon but now based in the Boston area, Hanneke is the 1997 U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion, holds a Bachelors of Music in Violin Performance from Berklee College of Music, and has performed and taught across North America, Europe, New Zealand, Australia, and China. Her latest album, "For Reasons Unseen", which was released late last year, features an all-star cast of musicians, including Alasdair Fraser, Natalie Haas, Rushad Eggleston, Casey Driessen, Brittany Haas, Keith Murphy, and Aoife O'Donovan of Crooked Still. On the album, influences from Scotland to China, along with grooves and musical innovations from the hip Boston bluegrass/Americana scene, fuse together to create a uniquely American approach to Scottish music. In addition to her solo act, Hanneke tours regularly with the Baroque/Celtic group Ensemble Galilei, and has performed with the Cathie Ryan Band, Cherish the Ladies, Alasdair Fraser, and Matt Glaser and the Wayfaring Strangers. She is an active member of Boston-based band Childsplay (featuring 20-plus fiddles made by Bob Childs) and co-founder (with Laura Cortese and Lissa Schneckenburger) of Celtic chick band Halali. Admission: $20 for nonmembers, $15 for members.

November 13, 2010: Finest Kind

Finest Kind is the remarkable folk trio of Ian Robb, Shelley Posen and Ann Downey from Canada whose exquisite harmony singing and brilliant vocal arrangements are bringing a fresh sense of excitement and discovery to the performance of old songs. This is a most welcome return visit to the Branford Folk Music Society for this group, which next year will celebrate its 30th year as a trio. Their glorious sound, served up with easy-going humor, has won a devoted following across North America. Finest Kind's vocal arrangements are a creative tour de force. Tradition-based yet curiously modern, the trio's harmonies are an enchanting feast of opulent chords and ever changing textures. The trio has just released a new album, "For Honour & For Gain", that's already harvesting critical acclaim. The music blog, The Sound of Blackbirds, said the album's "another winner from Finest Kind. If you're a fan of classic English-style folk singing, this disc is a must-have."

New Board Members Sought

The Board of Directors is currently accepting nominations to fill at large positions on the Board.

• Qualifications: enjoyment of traditional folk music and desire to see it continue in Branford. Skills in particular areas such as finances, grant writing, small business administration, etc. are welcome but not required. Must become a member of BFMS if not already a member.
• Responsibilities: attend about eight board meetings a year, attend and help at most of the nine concerts of the season (September through May).
• Benefits: free attendance when you help out at a concert, decision making contribution to the programming and other issues of the society, opportunity to get to know some wonderful people who are musicians.

Click here for the application form.

Branford Folk Music Society T shirts for sale now

Pick up one for yourself (and a friend too!) at any of our nine concerts from September thru May.
Or you can order by email: branfordfolk@yahoo.com
T shirt: Large centered color logo on ice gray background: $15
Polos and Henley styles with small color logo on left chest: $20 (by special order)

Branford Folk CD Openers

Got CD's? Frustrated by that pesky shrink wrap that is so difficult to remove?
Fret no more! Branford Folk Music Society has the perfect solution!
The Branford Folk 30th Anniversary CD opener!
Get one and you can be listening to the new CD's you buy at our concerts as soon as you get in your car. Branford Folk CD openers make the perfect Valentine's gift, housewarming present and will come in handy during the summer folk festival season. Priced at just $2.00 so you can get them for all your friends and place one near every CD player in your home. Pick them up at the next concert!