Schedule
2026 Schedule
Pennsylvania Folk Gathering is full of great workshops, concerts, singing, and dancing.
2026 Schedule
Friday, September 11, 2026
Friday 3:00 – 5:00 pm Pre-Event Intensive Classes
(separate registration required)
A pre-event intensive is a great way to get a jump-start on the weekend. Held just before the rest of the festival gets going.
Class size is limited, and a separate registration fee is required.
2026 Intensive Classes
Basics for Beginners – Jay Best & Karen Hirshon
Fiddle Techniques – Sarah Gowan
Guitar Backup – Maddy Smith
Hammer Dulcimer for Absolute Beginners – Linda Littleton
Mandolin Melodies – Bill Quern
Old Time Banjo – Christy Lou
Performance Band – Tom Krumm
Playing Guitar Solos – Henry Koretzky
Singing & Chanting – Lynn Margileth
Songwriting – Diana Wagner
World Drumming– Urie Kline
Pennsylvania Folk Gathering Begins
Friday 4:00 – 5:30 pm
Jamming – Laura Alexander and Holly Foy
This will be a fun, relaxed jam for all levels, also a good way to meet other attendees before things get going. All jams this weekend are inclusive, with all welcome and encouraged. Both songs and instrumental tunes will be played, and we’ll try to discourage playing difficult tunes that are hard for others to play or sing along. The goal is to be inclusive, have fun, relax, and enjoy making music with others.
Social Gathering
5:30 to 6:30 pm Dinner
Meals are provided for those who pre-paid.
7:00 pm Staff Concert
You’ll meet and hear all of the instructors.
After the Concert
(starts 15 minutes after the concert ends)
Community Dance: Circles, Squares, Contras & More – John Krumm & Bill Quern, callers; Holly Foy & Tom Krumm, lead open band
Beginners’ Jam – Simple Gifts
Singing Jam – Diana Wagner & Lynn Margileth
Instrumental Jam – Jay Best & Christy Lou
Drum Circle – Urie Kline
Friday After the Dance (approximately 10 pm)
Night Owl Jam – Maddy Smith
Young People’s Gathering – Laura Alexander & Urie Kline
Saturday, September 12, 2026
7:30 to 8:30 am Breakfast
Meals are provided for those who pre-paid.
8:15 am Greetings & Introduction
Meet folks and hear what’s happening for the weekend. Toward the end of this meeting, you’ll have an opportunity to sign up for a 10-minute mini-lesson.
9:00 to 10:00 am
Music Games – John Krumm
Easy Three-Chord Songs – Diana Wagner
Have No Fear, Learn by Ear – Jay Best & Laura Alexander
Hearing Chord Changes– Henry Koretzky
Philadelphia Tunes – Christy Lou & Maddy Smith
English Country Dance Tunes – Sarah Gowan
Mini-Lessons: Fiddle, Mandolin, Guitar – Karen Hirshon
10:15 to 11:15 am
Clogging – Sarah Gowan
A Capella Songs & Rounds – Diana Wagner & Lynn Margileth
How to Jam – Henry Koretzky
Easy Southern Tunes – Jay Best
Tunes in A & E – Tom Krumm
Exotic Tunes – Karen Hirshon & Linda Littleton
Mini-Lessons: Banjo, Guitar, Voice – Christy Lou
11:30 am Group Photo
Meet outside the lodge. Bring your instrument and a smile! If it’s raining, we’ll postpone until Sunday right before lunch.
12:00 to 1:00 pm Lunch
1:15 to 2:15 pm
Honoring Pennsylvania Heritage John Krumm – Tom Krumm
An important initiative of the Pennsylvania Folk Gathering is to examine the musical traditions of Pennsylvania–to gain a better understanding of what Pennsylvania music is and to preserve and perpetuate this musical heritage. Each year we identify a musician with a unique musical background and perspective, invite them to the festival so that all can learn from them, and honor them as a Pennsylvania Heritage Musician. This year we honor John Krumm.
Singing Jam – Diana Wagner
Instrumental Jam – Christy Lou
Hiking – Ginny Mutti
We’ll explore the Blue Diamond grounds and the state forest that surrounds it.
2:30 to 3:30 pm
Hand Drumming How-To’s – Urie Kline
Sing & Play with PA Heritage Musician John Krumm – Tom Krumm
Carl Sandburg Sing-Along – Holly Foy & Lynn Margileth
Very Beginning Tunes – Linda Littleton & Karen Hirshon
Contradance Band Practice – Bill Quern
Intro to Music Theory – Bill Arden
Mini-Lessons: Banjo, Guitar, Fiddle – Jay Best
3:45 to 4:45 pm
Bet Better Rhythm . . . Now! – Urie Kline
Harmony Singing – Christy Lou & Lynn Margelith
Backup Bassics – Henry Koretzky
Slow & Easy Jam – Maddy Smith
Irish Tunes – Laura Alexander & Holly Foy
Intermediate Music Theory – Bill Arden
Let’s Dance! – Sarah Gowan, Bill Quern, & Bob Nicholson
5:00 to 6:00 pm Dinner
5:30 to 6:30 pm
Jamming – Jay Best
7:00 pm Concert
Simple Gifts & Box and String Trio
After the Concert
Contradance – Bob Nicholson, caller, Bill Quern & Sarah Gowan, band leaders
Rise Up Singing Jam – Diana Wagner
Instrumental Jam – Maddy Smith & Tom Krumm
After the Dance
Night Owl Jam – Laura Alexander
Sunday, September 13, 2026
8:00 to 9:00 am Breakfast
9:15 to 10:15 am
Easy Versions of Common Tunes – Christy Lou
Old Time Hidden Gems – Maddy Smith & Holly Foy
Balfolk Band Practice – Bill Quern & Sarah Gowan
How to Improvise – Tom Krumm & Jay Best
10:30 to 11:30 am
Percussion Toys – Urie Kline
Harmony Singing by Ear – John Krumm
Labyrinth Chanting– Diana Wagner& Lynn Margelith
Easy Pennsylvania Tunes – Karen Hirshon & Linda Littleton
Crooked Tunes – Tom Krumm
Balfolk Dance & Play – Bill Quern & Sarah Gowan
Mini-Lessons: Mandolin, Guitar – Henry Koretzky
11:45 am to 12:45 pm
Bones & Jawharp – Bill Quern
Singing for Non-Singers – John Krumm
Singing Pennsylvania Songs: Colerain Collection –Lynn Margileth
Awesome Easy Tunes – Maddy Smith & Karen Hirshon
Sheet Music Jam (Portland Collection) – Laura Alexander
Faking It – Henry Koretzky & Jay Best
Bass Runs for Old Time Guitar – Christy Lou
1:00 to 2:00 pm Lunch
1:30 to 3:00 pm
Singing Jam – Henry Koretzky
Instrumental Jam – Maddy Smith, Christy Lou, & Laura Alexander
* Schedule subject to change