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 Folk Music Programs for Children & Adults
Your show was on record the BEST show in the entire known universe. I could not believe the wondrous things you could do. The wheel amazing, the songs breathtaking, the riddles are perplexing. Your show
has burned an everlasting image in my mind. I will NEVER EVER forget….THANK YOU. -- 7th Grader, Martin Middle School, East Providence, RII just wanted to reiterate how wonderful your performance at Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) was this morning. You really connected with the students, the ushers, and the PPAC staff
members. The musical, dance, historical, and educational aspects of your program were so well interwoven and entertaining! You, Elwood, John, Heidi, Cathy, and Kevin are absolutely delightful (it's so
obvious that you're all friends!) and your combined talents are awe-inspiring. Including Samuel, Evelyn, and Ruby May Miller added so much, too – the connection to the kids in the
audience of the same age was great, and of course, we at PPAC were so pleased to have two Arts Scholarship recipients performing on the stage!
PPAC staff that saw a portion or all of your performance agree that it was one of the best Arts Showcase programs we've presented, and we will be anxious to have you back again!
Please extend my thanks and congratulations to all the talented members of the Atwater Donnelly Band! -- Cynthia Goldsmith, Executive Assistant & Community Outreach Coordinator, Providence
Performing Arts Center Your magic is still singing in the classrooms of JFK, Aquidneck, and Forest Avenue Elementary Schools.
Two children were so inspired they brought in pennywhistles and wooden flutes and played 'Hot Cross Buns' on each to demonstrate the different 'VOICES'!!! Your performances were outstanding, reaching
the hearts of us all. The beautiful arrangements, instruments, and voices allowed us to travel back to a simpler time, when music was so important and the core of life. The students LOVED listening to the
verses, and were so surprised to find the stories in your songs. And, the clog dancing was beyond words. Amazing! One teacher said, 'It was so obvious: they not only are excellent in what they do--singing, dancing,
playing the instruments--but they LOVE doing it, and express that love, and the love of their families, as well. How wonderful to see that shown to the children.' Kevin [Doyle], when you told us about your
90 year old mother who taught you to dance, especially ... So many teachers remarked about the goosebumps on their arms with the beauty of your music. In
plain words, YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING!! Thank you again for this wonderful gift! -- Claire Johnson, Music Specialist, John F. Kennedy and Forest Avenue Elementary Schools, Middletown, RI
I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for providing such a wonderful experience for our students and staff at Sowams School. Everybody truly enjoyed learning the dances, games and music
that you play so well and which represents American Folk culture in our society. We look forward to seeing you in the Spring for our Family Folk Dance! -- Amy Gusetti Art Instructor Sowams School Barrington, RI
They were so intuitive to the needs, abilities and attention of all groups, making their visit such a delight for all! A great big BRAVO! -- Rachel Lalley, Sowams School
I don't usually have the opportunity to enjoy the special events that take place at Sowams School, but ... the day of your dancing workshops, I even got a few moments to join in the fun! What a great
opportunity this was for the students. I hope we'll see you back here again. Keep singing and playing the music! -- Angela Fallgren, Sowams School
When an audience participates so early into the program and then so many smiling faces express delight with the performance, we all must say, "Well done!" Thank you for a professional concert which
combined entertainment and information so effectively ... We know you have many admirers in the Danbury area now! --Jean Whitham, Danbury Public Library, Danbury, CT
I almost fainted when you sang and danced and played the banjo at the same time! My mouth was droped (sic) open the entire time. -- 4th graders, Chaplin Elementary School, Chaplin, CT
- What is folk music?
- What did people do for entertainment before electricity?
- What is your heritage?
- How was folk music used in daily life and work?
- What are folk songs about?
- How did pioneers develop the mountain dulcimer?
- Where did the banjo come from?
- How do you play the Irish tin whistle?
These are some of the questions Aubrey Atwater and Elwood Donnelly explore in their enthralling programs of traditional folk music. They perform using the Appalachian mountain dulcimer, old-time
banjo, Irish tin whistle, guitar, limberjack, harmonica, percussion instruments, and other surprises. Drawing their repertoire from songs collected in New England, Ireland, Appalachia, Prince Edward Island,
the Midwest, and other far-away places, Aubrey and Elwood explain folk music with moving stories and humor. Participation is emphasized as Aubrey and Elwood joke and interact throughout the show: they
encourage folks to sing, dance, clap, use body movements, and even play instruments when possible. Aubrey and Elwood both have strong backgrounds in education and have spent many years teaching
children and adults. Along with their general folk music program, they offer a variety of special programs and enjoy working with people of all ages.
Programs Include ...
Aubrey and Elwood introduce students of all ages to traditional folk music and instruments.
Participation and questions are a strong part of the program.
Instrument Playing, Jam Sessions, Singing, and Dance
Aubrey and Elwood offer workshops for guitar, Appalachian mountain dulcimer, Irish tin whistle,
old-time banjo, harmonica, and percussion as well as jam sessions, vocal classes in harmony, ballad, group, and hymn singing, and dance classes for clogging, square and contra dance.
Preschool Program
Children ages 3-6 years can see, hear, and try unusual instruments as well as clap, sing, and dance to captivating folk songs for the very young.
Play Party Songs, Games, and Dances
Step back in time and go to a rural play-party! Aubrey and Elwood will present old-fashioned,
interactive songs, dances, and musical games that are a part of our American heritage.
Images of Women in Traditional Folk Music
Learn about "ordinary" women in history as well as in the present. Aubrey and Elwood combine old
songs of love, betrayal, and everyday life as well as songs and poems Aubrey has written about contemporary women's issues. A very moving and unique program for Women's History Month or any time of the year.
Winter Holiday Show
In celebration of winter, light, and American diversity, Aubrey and Elwood sing ancient and new carols and songs of Christmas, winter solstice, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa.
Irish Music In America
During the last few centuries, millions of people have left Ireland. Explore Irish music as a basis for American folk music.
Heritage
American folk music, like American people, is a fusion of many influences and cultures. Students explore their own heritages as we travel in time and geography to different lands and learn about
what makes up American folk music.
Oral Tradition
Imagine playing "operator" with a song or story for five hundred years! In this program, oral
transmission is discussed and different versions of folk songs are played. Students are asked to think about oral traditions in their own lives: family stories, jokes, jump rope rhymes, songs, etc.
Emigration/Immigration
This program focuses on the Irish people and their story of emigration. Immigration songs are sung
and explained and the influence of Irish music and culture around the world is illustrated. The story of the Irish people is only one example of the many peoples in history forced to flee and
emigrate to other countries. Participants are asked to think about if, when, and how their own ancestors came to the United States.
Ballads: Early Newspapers
Ballads are stories in the form of song used to convey important events and to entertain. For
people who did not necessarily read or write, these songs were often an important means of relaying and receiving major news of wrongdoing, crime, love, war, celebration, or disaster. The
ballads often tell us that, despite technology, people are still very much the same.
Songs of the Sea
Explore how music was used historically to aid in the work of sailors as well as to tell vivid stories of life on and off shore.
Instrument "Petting Zoo"
This is a session for smaller groups where students can see, hear, and touch folk instruments
including the very ones that Aubrey and Elwood use in their concerts. This is an intimate and multi-sensory opportunity for students to sit with the artists and talk about the instruments and
the lives of performers.
See the Workshop Master List
for details on these programs and more!
To schedule a performance or educational program,
please contact Atwater-Donnelly at (401) 392-1909,
e-mail Aubrey at aubreyfolk@aol.com
or use the Contact Us form on this web site.
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