(especially folk music and group singing!)
Traditionally (i.e. until the late 19th century) Quakers didn't believe in group singing or playing musical instruments. In the classic film "Friendly Persuasion" (based on the novel by Jessamyn West), Gary Cooper chafes at some of the traditional Quaker values and acquires an organ, which he hides in his attic. He has a major scare when several elders from the local meeting come to visit and one of his kids begins playing the organ. To his relief the elders believe the sounds they heard during silent prayer were strains of music from heaven!
Quakers today no longer oppose group singing or use of musical instruments, although in "unprogrammed" meetings based on waiting upon the spirit in silence any singing that is done is usually individual and a capella. Peter wrote an article a few years ago in Friends Journal about the history of Music Among FGC Quakers - focusing especially on group singing among FGC meetings & at FGC summer gatherings.
Quakerism today is blessed with a rich variety of Quaker folk musicians. If you know of Quaker musicians that are not listed here please drop us a line! (Send additions & corrections for this list to: Peter.) Here is our partial but growing list.
Quaker Folk Musicians (freely defined...)
Carin Anderson and Chris Moore-Backman are singer song-writers & members of San Francisco Friends Meeting. Carin performs with Chris often to raise awareness about war in Colombia. You can contact them c/o Chris' email. Chris has his own rock band Atticus Finch.
Carla & David Arnold from LaGrande OR are overseers of The Olde Meeting House, a New Works group of Northwest Yearly Meeting. They are part of an acoustical band called HouseBlend that plays for coffeehouses and contra dances with an assortment of instruments and other musicians. The Olde Meeting House is a tiny white church used to host folk dances, contra dances, a monthly coffeehouse and an annual Spring Music & Dance Festival. Email Carla & David
Joan Baez was raised a Friend in Palo Alto (CA) Mtg and has continued to be strongly supportive of Quaker concerns such as the testimony against war. Her official website is joanbaez.com.
Alivia Biko is a singer-songwriter living in Salem OR. She is minister and clerk of Freedom Friends Church. One of the projects that she is working on is sending guitars & other music material to Friends in East Africa. (She is looking for ideas on ways to ship such items cheaply over there!) Her songs focus on truth-telling & worship. aliviabiko.com
Joshua Brown is a member of West Richmond Friends Meeting in Richmond, IN. He has been collecting folksongs for over 35 years, and has performed in New York, New England, Indiana and Ohio, playing Appalachian and hammered dulcimers and clawhammer banjo. You can e-mail him, or find his CD's at his website.
Katie Dahl describes herself as a teacher, tutor, fruit picker, scholar, test proctor, writer, barrista, librarian, receptionist, bookstore clerk, nomad and (as her myspace page is meant to demonstrate) singer & songwriter. She has been attending Cambridge (MA) Meeting.
Steve Deasy is a singer songwriter and regular attender at Detroit (MI) Mtg. His song "Let Me Make Peace" (co-written with Lester Dore of Madison Friends Mtg) was recognized as a top 40 finalist in the 2008 Music To Life Songwriting Contest. "Through my involvement with Friends & AFSC, my writing & performing have been increasingly devoted to causes of peace, justice, and equality." Email Steve or go to stevedeasy.com.
Laura Dungan & Aaron Fowler both graduated with music degrees from Friends University in Wichita KS & continue to be active Quakers. Their performances weave together exciting harmonies & instrumnentation with themes of empowerment and social justice. In recent years they have taken over the primary role in leading "noon sings" (daily singalongs using Rise Up Singing) at FGC Annual Gatherings. More info at fowlerdungan.com.
Bill Harley is a well-known children's musician and storyteller and a member of Providence (RI) Meeting along with his wife Debbie Block. Bill can often be heard telling stories on NPR. billharley.com
Kody Hersh is a Young Adult Friend from Sarasota FL. You can find out more about his music at his myspace page.
Mark Holdaway, a member of Pima Friends Meeting in Tucson AZ is a master on the Kalimba or African thumb piano. He is organized 2 sing-along benefit concerts using Rise Up Singing in 2006 in Tucson. markholdaway.com. Also check out his Kalimba Shop.
Lisa Hubbell of Strawberry Creek Meeting (Berkeley CA) is author of "Rooted & Grounded in Love", a song based on Paul's epistles that is in Worship in Song (the Quaker hymnal, available from Quaker Books). She founded the Quaker trio Sacred Ground with Rolene Walker of San Francisco Mtg. Their motto is "weaving harmonies for peace, spirit and the environment." You can listen to some of Lisa's songs on her myspace page or email her. She is responsible for many of the great listings on this Quaker musicians' webpage. Thanks Lisa & keep sending us more names!
William Jolliff, an English professor at George Fox University, is a songwriter, poet, Quaker peace activist, and gospel bluegrass performer. He has written close to 40 songs and produced seven recordings. Folk singer Tracy Grammer's album "Flower of Avalon," includes a song Jolliff wrote. Laughlin Boy is a re-written traditional piece about a Civil War conscientious objector. See George Fox U. article on Bill's music & how Grammer found out about his song. Contact William Joliff.
David LaMotte is a singer-songwriter Swannanoa Valley Friends Meeting in Black Mountain, NC and a Rotary World Peace Fellow. Dirty Linen has called him a "folk poet of elegant simplicity". His website
(davidlamotte.com) includes tips for aspiring songwriters.
Derek Lamson - see Derek & Friends under group listings below.
Elizabeth LaPrelle writes that Haverford (PA) Meeting "has meant a lot to me over the years even though I usually only get there a couple of times a year." Her grandparents Bill & (the late) Lois Ann Newlin have been active members there for many years and her mom Sandy grew up in that meeting. She sings ballads & old-timey songs in the style of Appalachian traditional singers. "I try to sing ballads the way these folks & their ancestors might have sung when they were my age." We enjoyed a lot her performance on Prairie Home Companion. You can hear additional audio clips on Elizabeth's website.
Kate MacLeod of Salt Lake City UT is a songwriter, fiddler, vocalist, music instructor and workshop leader. 2 of her songs have appeared in Sing Out Magazine. Her song "Alaska" was recorded by Laurie Lewis in 2004. katemacleod.com.
Lisa Markley of Dallas Mtg is a member of folk feminist trio, The Malvinas. Check out the spread on her music in the online Subaru magazine!
John McCutcheon is a member of Charlottesville (VA) Meeting. John is head of Local 1000 - the American Federation of Musicians traveling musicians' union that we (Annie & Peter) are members of, peace activist & premier folk performer. John recorded the "Mountain Voices" chapter for Rise Up Singing Teaching Disks. He got to know Friends in part through performing at summer gatherings of Friends General Conference. His website is folkmusic.com.
Eric McEuen of West Hills Friends Church (NWYM) performed as a singer-songwriter & lead guitarist in Boston & Albuquerque before moviing to Portland OR. He currently hosts a weekly open mic at a restaurant. Check out his myspace page.
Paulette Meier is a member of Community Meeting in Cincinnati OH. She was the Artist in Residence at Pendle Hill in 2004-5 and continues to puruse a leading to work in the Philadelphia area. Her website lessonsongs.com describes her work with school-age children around peacemaking and Quaker Testimonies. She has led workshops at Quaker gatherings & schools on "Telling our Spiritual Stories through Song". She has been putting many early Quaker quotes to music as a way of making these powerful statements more accessible to Friends today. The Quakercamp at Stillwater minuted its enthusiastic support for this powerful music ministry of Paulette's.
Mary Miche is an active children's performer & member of Strawberry Creek Meeting & Berkeley Friends Church. Check out her website at marymiche.com.
Carrie Newcomer is an incredible singer-songwriter from Bloomington IN. See her website and an interview about her music.
Evalyn Parry is a member of Ottawa Meeting and singer-songwriter who has released 2 terrific edgy CDs and performs widely across North America. evalynparry.com (be sure you spell "Evalyn" correctly!)
Sarah Pirtle is a fine children's musician who attends Northampton (MA) Meeting and has frequently lent her musical talents to Quaker gatherings and camps. She was previously an editor of the Children's Music Network newsletter and runs the Discovery Center (PO Box 28, Buckland MA 01338) devoted to educating young people about issues such as nonviolence and diversity issues through music and workshops. Sarah's website is at sarahpirtle.com.
Joyce Rouse of Nashville Mtg performs as Earth Mama. She is an environmental entertainer who uses song and humor to teach concepts like ecospirituality and sustainable living. She creates music in a variety of styles from pop to blues.
Jim Schultz is a singer-songwriter who writes folk ballads with biblical references. His meeting (Conscience Bay on Long Island) has written a minute supporting his music ministry. His web page geezers4jesus.com has free downloads. Check out his videos on youtube & Godtube.com.
John Sheldon of Warwick (England) Meeting is a classically trained musician and choral leader who has been encouraging spirit-led group singing among British Friends for many years. He was the editor of the 1981 Quaker Song Book and the 2005 Sing in the Spirit: A Book of Quaker Songs. (You can order this collection from Quaker Books.) You can contact him at John's email. He's doing a workshop at the 2006 FGC Annual Gathering in Takoma WA.
Niyonu Spann is a powerful a capella song leader. She is the academic dean at Pendle Hill, the Quaker Center for Study and Contemplation. She is also a member of "Tribe One" (see below under ensembles). Niyonu Spann
Susan Stark is a member of Clear Creek (IN) Meeting, now living in Pleasant Hill, TN. Susan is one of Friends' most gifted & inspirational singer-songwriters & song leaders. Her singing has blessed numerous Quaker gatherings, including FGC. She's recorded 4 albums, including Phoenix Sings at Sundown~Lullabies for All Ages. We were blessed to hear many of the songs from the new CD she is working on in our home recently! For booking info or to order her recordings, contact PILCIR Productions ~ Susan Stark Music c/o Carol Savery.
Donald Swann (1923-1994) became a Quaker in England during World War II. He was a conscientious objector and served with the Friends Ambulance Unit in Egypt, Palestine and Greece. He joined forces with Michael Flanders to form the popular musical duo, Flanders & Swann, best known for their albums, "At the Drop of a Hat" and "At the Drop of Another Hat". Donald also wrote a number of sacred works and came to Pendle Hill several times as artist in residence. His website at donaldswann.co.uk has detailed information on his published music, recordings & life.
Paul Tinkerhess of Ann Arbor (MI) Meeting is a wonderful singer, songwriter and banjo player. He performs at peace and justice rallies and has led done a masterful job leading singing at plenary sessions at Friends General Conference. Email Paul
Ben Tousley. Boston-based duo Sue Kranz and Ben Tousley have been a singing together since 1986. Playing guitar and flute, Ben and Sue have collaborated on several recordings and appeared in many coffeehouses around New England. Email Ben.
Jon Watts is a Quaker spoken word poet and producer who tours the country on his bicycle visiting Quaker Schools and Meetinghouses. His website is: www.jonwatts.com. His dance party video , filmed in the meetingroom at Pendle Hill has gotten over 35,000 hits on You-tube. Check it out, it's a scream!
Adrienne Young of Dover NH Meeting appeared in Jan 2006 on Prairie Home Companion. Her website is adrienneyoung.com.
Quaker Folk Music Groups / Ensembles
Derek & Friends is a group of roots & blues musicians that are members of West Hills Friends Church in Portland OR. They often do benefits for the Peace Board of Northwest Yearly Meeting and for Christian Peacemaker Teams. They have 3 CDs out including a new one called "See My Freedom Come". Their slogan is "Jesus Music for People who Hate Jesus Music." derekandfriends.org
EarthQuakers consists of 6-12 musicians/singers from the 3 Twin Cities Friends mtgs(+ one Methodist). They sing & play a variety of instruments at Quaker gatherings, nursing homes, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays. "Most of us are rather inexperienced but enjoy ourselves tremendously! We do have a few very experienced musicians & occasionally are joined by Paul Landskroener or Patricia McKernon." Contact Annette Smith or Chester McCoy.
Faith & Practice is a wonderful Quaker band based in Bucks County PA. Band members include Jacob & Gretta Stone of Doylestown PA Mtg, Gretchen Castle (clerk of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting), Gene Taylor, Rich Laughlin, Dave Crosman & Zach Taylor Their repertoire includes bluegrass, gospel, pop, a wide range of folk songs, and originals. The group recently released their debut CD "Not Too Serious" which can be purchased from FGC or Pendle Hill. For booking & additional information, email Rich or call 215-536-2677.
The Homegrown String Band is made up of a Quaker family that plays blues, bluegrass, country & folk together. The band includes Georgianne, Rick, Erica & Annalee Jackofsky. They are members of Conscience Bay Mtg in New York Yearly Mtg. Check out their website for touring schedule, CD's, an online promo video & lots more!
The Leaveners (to quote from their website) "is the Quaker Performing Arts Organisation for the Religious Society of Friends in Britain. It was formed by a group of enthusiastic Friends, involved in the arts, who wanted to use their experience of the creative arts as a way of expressing their Quaker faith and values" - and has been doing so wonderfully since 1978! Their projects include Quaker youth theater, writing and performing Quaker cantatas, publishing songbooks and a drama project designed to integrate deaf and hearing young people. You can contact them at leaveners.org
Pendle Hill Chorus rehearses and gives performances at this Quaker study center in Wallingford PA. The chorus meets on Wednesday nights at 7:30 in the fall and winter terms. All who love to sing & are willing to come to a weekly rehearsal are welcome (next term begins 3/29). No auditions. Reading music / previous experience helps but not required. The choral director is Jackie Coren, who also directs the Anna Crusis Women's Choir in Philadelphia & is teacher of musical theater at George School. For more info on Pendle Hill see their website. For more info on the chorus, email Jackie.
Tribe One is an a cappella group which promotes social justice through rhythmic music and dance. Several members of this group are Friends including Niyonu Spann and Joanthan Snipes.
John Scardina & Friends is based in New York City. They use guitars, mandolin, flute, percussion & bass to accompany lively original songs & singer-songwriter covers. They enjoy playing private parties as well as coffeeshops & clubs. Rich Aldred is a member of Concord PA Mtg and John Scardina is a member of Westtown Mtg. For bookings, contact them via their website.
Quaker Recording Studios & Record Labels
Ken Tankel is a member of Willistown (PA) Meeting. Annie recorded her CD Meet Me by the Moonlight in Ken's studio, Playroom Recording. His studio is located in Malvern PA.
Bull & Mouth Records has released 3 CDs by Friends. It was started by Jon Watts. Joshua Shelton & Will McKindley-Ward have also made CDs. Jon says this project is currently on hold. See his listing above under artists.
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