SIMPLE GIFTS

Two women playing twelve instruments perform Romanian, Klezmer, Greek, Irish, Scottish, Appalachian, and more

See videos simplegiftsmusic.com/school/videos.html See a list of workshops simplegiftsmusic.com/school/workshops.html Learn more simplegiftsmusic.com/school

Contact Linda Littleton linda@simplegiftsmusic.com 814/238-8048

ABOUT SIMPLE GIFTS

Linda Littleton Karen Hirshon

Simple Gifts is two women performing on twelve instruments including fiddle, mandolin, hammered dulcimer, guitar, banjo, and recorder plus some more unusual instruments like the bowed psaltery, banjolin, shruti box, and doumbek. They play a wide range of ethnic music including Romanian, Bulgarian, Klezmer, Irish, Scottish, French, American, Greek, Finnish and more. Simple Gifts is an ideal choice for school programs. They’re interactive with the students, the content is multicultural, the approach is educational, and their attitude is full of good humor and encouragement. Simple Gifts offers assembly programs, classroom instruction, small-group hands-on workshops, professional development for teachers, and community concerts. Linda Littleton and Karen Hirshon have played music together since 1995. They often play with a third member, Rachel Hall, who plays piano, concertina (a small squeeze-box), accordion, and drums. The group has released six CDs, two of which have won national awards. Simple Gifts performs about 60-80 dates per year, playing for both school and adult audiences, and they cover a nine-state area.

ASSEMBLY PROGRAMS

Educational assembly programs are available for any grade level from preschool through high school and include age-appropriate discussions about the instruments, musical styles, and diverse cultures represented. During the assembly, Simple Gifts will perform on 8-12 different instruments, depending on the length of the program. The performance will include a wide range of ethnic music, such as Romanian, Bulgarian, Klezmer, Irish, American, Greek, and Finnish. Assembly programs are structured so that each piece introduces either a new ethnic style or a new instrument. Questions are encouraged, and students are invited on stage to participate. The goal is to get students fired up about music––to have those already involved with music be glad that they are, and to have those who don’t play an instrument wish that they did. These programs are educational, multicultural, interactive, and fun! (no attendance limit)

WORKSHOPS

“I’ve rarely seen instructors–of music or much else–who are as together, personable, friendly, and generous with their knowledge. And it’s all supported by formidable talent and knowledge of several musical genres.” –Marguerite Plank, Gettysburg Workshops Spoons Playing Students learn the Appalachian tradition of using spoons as a percussion instrument. Once everyone has the hang of it, Simple Gifts introduces the rudiments of arranging music: where to play loud or quiet, how to vary the rhythm, and how to choose sounds that match the music. This is Simple Gifts’ most frequently requested workshop and is appropriate for grades 3 through high school. Spoons playing can be taught during an assembly program for up to 100 students, or to a smaller group before the concert with a goal of having the new spoons players join in during the assembly. For younger students, there is a similar workshop that uses simple percussion instruments rather than spoons.

Ukulele Ukulele is an excellent introduction to guitar, mandolin, and similar string instruments. Simple Gifts provides the ukuleles, and in about 45 minutes, students learn two to three chords and the basics of strumming and fingerpicking. They're then ready to perform with Simple Gifts during an assembly! This workshop is ideal for fourth to sixth grade. A simpler version is available for to second and third grade, and a more advanced version for grades 7-12. This is a good choice for a middle or high school general music class.

Bowed Psaltery The bowed psaltery is a simple stringed instrument that introduces use of the bow. Learning bowed psaltery gives students a feel of what it would be like to play a violin or cello. Simple Gifts provides the instruments, and in 30 to 45 minutes students learn how to draw the bow and then learn a simple song. They're then ready to perform during an assembly! This workshop is ideal for second to fifth grade, but also ok for older students.

Follow-up with Music Students After an assembly, music students stay for a follow-up session that involves discussion and demonstration in more depth. The students can ask questions, see the instruments up close, and try some of the less fragile instruments. Simple Gifts uses this as an opportunity to encourage the students to practice and continue to pursue music.

Classroom Lesson In addition to or in lieu of an assembly, Simple Gifts can work with the students in their classroom. This allows for greater interaction and more detailed discussion. Spoons, bowed psaltery, or ukulele can be incorporated.

Playing Folk Music Middle or high school students who play in the school orchestra or band will learn a piece of folk music by ear and then work on the subtleties of creating an interesting folk music arrangement. Ideally this session would be half a day or longer, with an opportunity for the students to perform, but it's also possible to do a shorter version.

Fiddle Students who play violin, viola, cello, or bass learn how to get a “fiddly” sound and then together arrange a piece to be performed during a school assembly.

Folk Guitar Students who play guitar learn folk techniques including chord progressions, strumming patterns, taking a lead, and being a sensitive backup musician.

Let Me Try That! Several of Simple Gifts’ less fragile instruments may be handled and played by students with instruction from the musicians. This workshop has been responsible for many children choosing to play an instrument! (Limited to 10-20 students depending on age.)

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Want Something Different? Simple Gifts loves the challenge of creating new workshops, so if you have something in mind that you don’t see here, please ask!

SIMPLE GIFTS – WHERE THEY’VE PLAYED

Arts Centers & Concert Series Smithsonian, Washington DC Brooklyn Museum of Art, Brooklyn NY Whitaker Center, Harrisburg PA National Theatre, Washington DC Lincoln Theatre, Marion VA Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square PA Hershey Theatre, Hershey PA Strong Museum, Rochester NY Smoot Theatre, Parkersburg WV Philadelphia Museum of Art, Phila PA Williams Center, Easton PA Hoover Auditorium, Lakeside OH Court Square Theatre, Harrisonburg VA Ashe County Arts Center, Jefferson NC 171 Cedar Arts Center, Corning NY Grounds for Sculpture, Hamilton NJ Riviera Theatre, North Tonawanda NY Troy-Hayner Cultural Center, Troy OH Randolph County Arts Center, Elkins WV Momentum Ctr for the Arts, Clarksburg WV McCoy Theatre, Moorefield WV Tug Valley Arts Ctr, Williamson WV Burgin Center for the Arts, Mercersburg PA Quick Center, St. Bonaventure NY Abbey Theatre, Dublin OH Acoustic Brew Concerts, State College PA Music at Penn Alps, Grantsville MD Strand Theatre, Zelienople PA Reitz Theatre, DuBois PA Godfrey Daniels, Bethlehem PA

Grant County Arts Council, Petersburg WV

Festivals Old Songs Festival, Altamont NY Philadelphia Folk Festival, Schwenksville PA Cincinnati Celtic World Festival Shenandoah Valley, Orkney Springs VA Allegheny Multicultural Fest, Cumberland MD Central PA Fest of the Arts, State College PA Middfest International, Middletown OH Bethlehem Musikfest, Bethlehem PA First Night (8 different locations) Columbia Lakefront Festival, Columbia MD Spirit of Rockville, Rockville MD Fine Arts Fiesta, Wilkes-Barre PA Hoodlebug Festival, Homer City PA Mayfair Festival of the Arts, Allentown PA Johnstown FolkFest, Johnstown PA Shinglehouse Music Festival, Shinglehouse PA Cook Forest Folk Gathering, Cook Forest PA Greenwood Furnace Folk, Huntingdon PA Folk College, Huntingdon PA Westmoreland Arts/Heritage Fest, Greensburg PA

Colleges & Universities Penn State, Columbia, Georgetown, Gettysburg, Drew, Clarion, Alfred, Salem, Westchester, Bloomsburg, Mount Union, Juniata, Potomac, Frostburg, Medaille, Elmira, Swarthmore, Villanova, Defiance, Lafayette, Centenary, Mansfield, Cheyney, West Point, Bergen, Sussex, Butler, Onondaga, Seton Hill, Walsh, Ohio State Lima, Fredonia, Western Maryland, Hagerstown, Centenary, Marywood

Simple Gifts has shared the stage with Mark O’Connor, Natalie MacMaster, Tom Paxton, John McCutcheon, Jay Ungar, Cherish the Ladies, Laurie Lewis & Tom Rozum, Kevin Burke, Mamadou Diabate, Robin & Linda Williams, Boys of the Lough.

SIMPLE GIFTS – WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

Simple Gifts wowed the audience with a cultural and educational program that was fun, informative, and educational. —Teresia Bush, Smithsonian Institute What sets Simple Gifts apart is not just their choice of ethnic music, but how they put it together...in an almost miraculous, balanced musical exuberance. Their combination of sheer fun, audience interaction and flawless technique led those attending to make comments like “this is one of the most amazing things I’ve ever heard.” —Derek Davis, Sullivan County Arts Council Simple Gifts presented one of the finest concerts I have ever experienced at our church, and I've been Music Director here for more than 25 years. They are so accomplished on so many diverse instruments, making it seem effortless.

—Dr. James Hicks, Morristown Presbyterian Church The members of Simple Gifts are proof that the best groups are more than the sum of their individual talents. These women share a chemistry that infuses their music with energy, integrity, and joy. Theirs is a special gift.

—Dave Johnson, Boston Globe I was concert manager at Long Island Traditional Music Association for many years and one of my favorite evenings was a Simple Gifts concert. It was like an evening spent with dear friends (incredibly talented friends!) and has remained one of my dearest memories of my time there. —Gerry Riemer, Long Island Traditional Music Association Few musicians can match Simple Gifts' warmly personal stage presence. Their performances are noted for the infectious enthusiasm and sprinkling of good humor that come through. —Jennifer O’Callaghan, Celtic Classic Festival It felt liked they played this program just for this audience; so full of spontaneity and enthusiasm. Our audience is used to classical music, but with Simple Gifts' authentic style, spontaneity and enthusiasm, there were no boundaries. Their performance is truly suitable for audiences of all backgrounds. Their artistry is impeccable and they radiate the sheer joy of playing together. It was a well-deserved standing ovation!

—Ludwig Brunner, Quick Center for the Arts No other performer has topped Simple Gifts on the fun meter.

—Carol Aulenbach, Reading Public Museum These musicians are one heck of a team. Gifted, yes, but not simple. I have heard nothing but raves and I believe they may have changed the direction of several young lives. This is not something an old teacher and principal says lightly.

—Nancy Powell, Lost River Educational Foundation They are simply extraordinary! —Donn Murphy, National Theatre

IN SUPPORT OF SIMPLE GIFTS

My name is Rachel Bell, and I teach K-5 general music at Bolivar-Richburg Central School in Bolivar NY. I also perform, tour, and record with three bands. I have known Simple Gifts for ten years and have seen them teach and perform in a variety of settings. When Simple Gifts performs, they have the magical ability to draw the audience right into the middle of their music. I have seen this countless times with adults and children alike. This band's warm, engaging stage presence breaks down barriers between performer and audience, and suddenly it's as if the “show” has morphed into a comfortable musical conversation in a living room. The audience is soaking up the delightful sounds of the numerous instruments, curiously inspecting the instruments, and enjoying the humor and overall good spirit. These women exude the joy of music-making, proclaiming the message that music is meant to be enjoyed by everyone regardless of age or walk of life. Any Simple Gifts performance or workshop is not only an enjoyable experience but also a peek into other worlds. They play instruments from many cultures, and a mere glance at their collection of exotic instruments (always displayed on stage, always played, always explained) is fascinating. Their ability to educate audiences on how each instrument works, where it comes from, and how it is tied to various cultures is both informative and engaging. Their tunes come from all over the world, fostering multi-cultural and historical awareness. The band is also actively researching and performing traditional Pennsylvanian music, giving them an insightful perspective on historical roots close to home. When Simple Gifts teaches, the students enjoy total immersion. Those fortunate enough to learn from these musicians are not only carried away on musical journeys to foreign lands, but also invited into hands-on involvement in the music. Time and again, I have witnessed students, workshop attendees, and auditoriums full of people practically bursting with delight as they join the fun. Some play spoons, others play limberjacks, and there is even an entire collection of small ukeleles that are perfect for musical exploration. Simple Gifts' complete awareness of each person in the room, assessing both strengths and uncertainties, sets each participant up for success. Anyone involved is sure to leave feeling like he or she has been genuinely involved in the musical experience. Of course, given their reputation and the quality of their recordings, it goes without saying that these ladies are highly proficient on their instruments and true masters of the musical art. I can say from personal experience that it simply feels good to sit and listen to them. Their arrangements-- the way they weave roots, tradition, culture, and musical finesse together-- have held me spellbound on many occasions. Magical, breath-taking moments give way toe-tapping, danceable fun. Any individual who has the privilege of hearing and learning from Simple Gifts is truly fortunate and will no doubt come away enriched. Thank you for your time. Sincerely,

Rachel Bell 814-697-6534 PO Box 513, Shinglehouse, PA 16748 theinstrumentplayer@yahoo.com