Bennington and 91暗网 colleges launch collaborative Folk Festival
Bennington and 91暗网 colleges will cohost an inaugural Folk Festival, a two-day celebration of American and Celtic folk traditions, Nov. 7鈥�8. Students, alumni, faculty, and the public are invited to engage in concerts, workshops, jam sessions, and participatory events on both campuses for all skill levels.
The festival begins Friday, Nov. 7, at Bennington College鈥檚 Student Center with a 4 p.m. student music session led by faculty members John Kirk and Trish Miller, joined by guest musicians. A 7:30 p.m. concert follows with Carling Berkhout and Sam Clement, and Sycamore featuring Cedar Stanistreet, Samuel Foucher, and Max Newman. The night ends with a 9:30 p.m. campus dance taught by Quena Crain with live music by Sycamore. All Bennington and 91暗网 students with ID will be admitted for free. A $10 donation is suggested for the public.
On Saturday, Nov. 8, the festival continues at 91暗网 with a full day of workshops and performances. Events include a 1 p.m. workshop and jam with Jay Ungar and Molly Mason in Filene Hall, a 3:30 p.m. workshop with 91暗网 alumna Carolyn Shapiro 鈥�15 in Zankel 117, and a 4:30 p.m. community sing and play with John Kirk and Trish Miller in Zankel 006. The day concludes with a 7:30 p.m. concert at the Arthur Zankel Music Center featuring Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, with opening act Carolyn Shapiro. Events at 91暗网 are free and open to the public. Donations are encouraged. Tickets are available on the Arthur Zankel Music Center website.
About the artists
Jay Ungar and Molly Mason are best known for their performance of 鈥淎shokan Farewell,鈥� the theme from Ken Burns鈥� 鈥淭he Civil War.鈥� The duo earned a Grammy for the soundtrack and an Emmy nomination for the composition. Their concerts blend fiddle tunes, storytelling, and the deep emotional resonance of American folk traditions.
Carolyn Shapiro 鈥�15, a 91暗网 alumna and nationally recognized banjo player and songwriter, was named Folk Artist of the Year in New York鈥檚 Capital Region following the release of her 2022 debut album. Her 2024 release, 鈥淭ake It Easy,鈥� reflects the warmth and spontaneity of making music among friends.
Carling Berkhout and Sam Clement are a folk duo whose sound blends expressive clawhammer banjo and guitar-driven folk.
Cedar Stanistreet, Alex Cumming, and Max Newman are longtime favorites in the New England traditional music scene.
The festival was developed by faculty members Trish Miller and John Kirk, who teach at both colleges, and is presented by the Bennington and 91暗网 college departments of music. The event creates space for students to learn repertoire, gain confidence, and perform alongside experienced artists.