What's new for the 2024 Festival?
What workshops will be at the 2024 Festival?
What is the Mid-Winter Singing Festival?
How is the Festival structured?
What makes this festival special?
Who is invited to the festival?
What if I really am not a great singer?
Will the audience have the words to the songs?
What kind of songs will be sung?
What will I be learning in the workshops?
Is there a schedule of what workshops will be offered when?
How much does the festival cost?
How can I get tickets?
Will I have to get tickets ahead of time?
Who is producing this festival?
Who is sponsoring the festival?
What can I do to support this festival?
How can I get more details about the festival?



What's new for the 2024 Festival?

On Friday night, the 20th Mid-Winter Singing Festival starts with the huge Community Sing, led by veterans Rachael Davis, Joel Mabus, Robert B. Jones, and Frank Youngman.

From 12:30-1:30pm on Saturday, the Afternoon Community Sing will pull songs from the two books that have sustained the community singing movement: Rise Up Singing and Rise Again. A group of experienced song leaders will take turns leading their favorites. Books welcome but not necessary; lyric sheets provided.

On Saturday morning at 11 am, there will be a Children's Concert, presented by Lake Effect Family BandKids of all ages are encouraged come to the University United Methodist Church and sing folk songs.

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What workshops will be at the 2024 Festival?

Due to a shift in resources, Festival workshops have been put on hold for a year. (In 2025, Saturday afternoon workshops will return with a full line-up.) This year, singers are invited to spend the late Saturday morning singing along with Rachael Davis and her family band, Lake Effect, and then join in the early afternoon Community Sing. Songs for the Saturday Community Sing will be pre-chosen from the "Rise Up Singing" and "Rise Again" songbooks. Bring your books or pick up lyric sheets at the door.


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What is the Mid-Winter SingingFestival?

The Annual Mid-Winter Singing Festival is a festival where great songs are sung by both the song leaders on stage and the people in the audience.

The Festival will take place at the University United Methodist Church (UUMC), 1120 S. Harrison, East Lansing, Michigan.
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How is the Festival structured?

This year's festival is made up of one Friday Community Sing, one 11am Saturday FREE Children's Show and a Saturday Early Afternoon Community Sing.


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What makes this festival special?

At this festival, the audience plays an integral part. During the Community Sing and the Saturday singing workshops, the audience sings great songs with their family, friends, and community, led by experienced song leaders.

The people on stage are very talented, enthusiastic song leaders. They love these songs and look forward to sharing them with folks. The real stars of the festival are the songs. The product of the festival is the sharing of these songs and the gorgeous sound made when these songs are sung.
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Who is invited to the festival?

Everyone!
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What if I really am not a great singer?

We invite everyone to sing, whether they think they can or not. The blend of voices will more than make up for individual uncertainty. And even if you feel too shy to sing in public, please do not let that stop you from joining us and enjoying the fabulous sound that will be created when hundreds of people sing wonderful songs.
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Will the audience have the words to the songs?

For the Friday and Saturday Community Sings, every person will receive the lyrics to all of the songs.
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What kind of songs will be sung?

Folk, gospel, bluegrass, jazz, popular, contemporary, rounds, old-time - a great mix.
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What will I be learning in the singing workshops?

Each workshop focuses on a specific genre of song. In one room, you can sing country and old-time songs. In another, you will sing songs of heartbreak and love. In another, you can practice harmony singing. Some workshops will include basic instruction, but the majority of time will be spent singing. There are workshops going on throughout the afternoon. The problem will be deciding which ones to go to.
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Is there a schedule of what workshops will be offered when?

Due to a shift in resources, Festival workshops have been put on hold for a year. (In 2025, Saturday afternoon workshops will return with a full line-up.)
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How much does the festival cost?

Tickets for the Community Sing are:
$25 (public)
$20 (LAFSS members)
$5 All students, including college students

Click here to buy your tickets.

Donations will be accepted at the door for the Saturday Afternoon sing and the 11 am Saturday morning Children's Show.

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How can I get tickets?

Tickets to the Friday evening Community Sing can be purchased online and at the door. Click here to buy your tickets.

Saturday afternoon's workshop wristbands will be for sale at the venue, starting at 10:30 am on Saturday of the festival. There is plenty of room for everyone who wants to attend these one-hour workshops. We will not run out of wristbands. Workshop admittance for all students is FREE!  (Make sure you grab a wristband.)

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Will I have to get tickets ahead of time?

It's hard to tell. Since the announcement of the festival, there has been tremendous enthusiasm for these events. It might be best to pick up tickets ahead of time. Any remaining tickets will be sold at the door.
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Who is producing this festival?

The Ten Pound Fiddle Concert and Dance Series is producing the festival. With help from many community members, Festival Director Sally Potter has secured the line-up.

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Who is sponsoring the festival?

You are! We've elected not to ask for corporate or private sponsorship of this festival. Therefore the festival is funded entirely through ticket sales. Thank you for your support of your festival.
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What can I do to support this festival?

The best way is to purchase tickets. Then, invite friends to join you!

Bring folks of all ages to the afternoon workshops. Children 18 and under and students are free! Encourage others to bring folks who might enjoy singing great songs or engaging with instruments, dance and performance. Reach out to your circle of friends and invite them to be a part of this very special community event.

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How can I get more details about the festival?

As they become available, all festival details are here on the Festival's Web Site, www.singingfestival.com. To be mailed a printed version, call 517.267.0410 and leave your name and address.



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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