The following article appears in the Dec. '97 - Feb. '98 issue of FolkNotes.

People's Music Network / Community Choir:
Join the Movement!

By Mayer Shevin

Most people my age (50-ish types) can easily remember a time when folk music and political activism both seemed to be pieces of the same thing. For many, the preceding statement might cause a moment's nostalgia. But for some lively folks in Central New York and throughout the country, the tradition of "song and struggle intertwined" is very much a part of our lives and our music. Here are two important connections for the unabashedly activist folkie.

The Syracuse Community Choir. My family moved to Syracuse six years ago. Before we had even moved in, our friend Robin told us, "You have to join the Community Choir!"

As a long-time folk groupie and occasional songwriter, the idea of singing in a choir didn't have much appeal for me, but Robin's proclamation now rates in my personal collection as one of the best pieces of unsolicited advice I've ever received.

The Syracuse Community Choir (SCC), now in its 11th year, grew largely from the vision of its founder and director, Karen Mihalyi. Karen had originally directed a women's chorus as part of Women's Harvest, but sought to create a permanent group committed to freedom and social justice - in its music, its composition, and its way of going about its work in the community.

The community choir sings a wide range of music celebrating an inclusive sense of who we are, where we are going, why we are here, and what's important in our shared adventures. Anyone is welcome to join the choir - a love of singing and a willingness to be part of a singing community are the only "auditions" needed. The choir puts on at lest two major concerts a year, in December and June; and has featured guest artists such as Pat Humphries, Kim and Reggie Harris, Pete Seeger, Marcia Taylor, and Ronnie Gilbert. This year's winter concert will be on Thursday, December 18, 7:30 p.m., at the Plymouth Church, and will feature guest artists Howard Lyons and Cumberland Blue. For information on joining the choir, which will begin rehearsals for the June concert some time in March, call Karen Mihalyi at 472-9386.

People's Music Network. Another important national group with strong CNY connections is The People's Music Network for Songs of Freedom and Struggle (or, more commonly, PMN). PMN began with the Reagan years and the Me Decade; a number of politically-oriented folk singers including Charlie King, Pete Seeger, and Pat Humphries, wanted to create a setting in which folk musicians could support and learn from each other, away from the competition over gigs, contracts, and moments in the limelight.

PMN holds two gatherings a year - a summer gathering at a camp in the Catskills, and a January gathering hosted by a different city every year. (The winter gathering was held in Syracuse in 1994; this year, it will be in Boston from January 30 to February 1.) In addition, local groups of PMNers often get involved with networking at the regional level. This year, for example, PMN members all over the northeast staged activities connected with Labor Day, with Central New York PMNers going "Labor Day caroling" at the New York State Fair.

The summer and winter gatherings are informal but very full weekends, including songswaps on a wide variety of topics, and a Saturday night "round robin" concert, in which everyone who wishes gets to perform one song for the rest of the crowd. PMN is a tremendously welcoming and "militantly egalitarian" setting, with lots of opportunity for meeting and brainstorming with fellow songwriters and performers. It is also a wonderful place for the non-performer who wishes to be immersed for a weekend in an exciting ferment of ideas and music.

For information on joining PMN or attending the January or June gathering, contact Sarah Underhill, RR1, Box 193, Berme Rd., Kerhonkson NY 12446. (914)626-4507. I'd be glad to answer questions about either of these organizations as well - call me (Mayer Shevin) at (315)425-0251, or email me at mshevin@mailbox.syr.edu.

This page maintained by Dana Cooke. E-mail me at djcooke@aiusa.com.