What's new for the 2023 Festival?
What workshops will be at the 2023 Festival?
What is the Mid-Winter Singing and Folk 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?
What will I be learning in the workshops?
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?
Is the free Children's Concert, sponsored by the City of East Lansing, part of the festival?
What other events does the festival have lined-up for children?
How much does the festival cost?
How can I get tickets to the Sings and Workshop Wristbands?
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 2023 Festival?

On Friday night, Jean Chorazyczewski and Lori Fithian will join Singing Festival favorites Mark Dvorak and Joel Mabus for one night of high energy community singing.

Saturday afternoon from 11 am - 2 pm, the festival will offer workshops related to community singing led by our Friday night songleaders. Song sheets for each singing workshop will be given out by the presenter. No need to pre-register! Just come to the Community Center, purchase a $20 workshop wristband, pick workshops that interest you, pop into the rooms, and enjoy! (18 and under and all students are free to all workshops.) View workshop schedule here.

From 2 – 3 pm on Saturday there will be an Afternoon Community Sing also led by Jean Chorazyczewski and Lori Fithian, Mark Dvorak and Joel Mabus.

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

top

What workshops will be at the 2023 Festival?

View workshop schedule here.


top

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.
top


How is the Festival structured?

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


top


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.
top


Who is invited to the festival?

Everyone!
top


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.
top


Will the audience have the words to the songs?

For the Saturday evening Community Sing, every person will receive the lyrics to all of the songs. This is also true of the Saturday afternoon community singing workshops.
top


What kind of songs will be sung?

Folk, gospel, bluegrass, jazz, popular, contemporary, rounds, old-time - a great mix.
top


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.
top


Is there a schedule of what workshops will be offered when?

A complete workshop schedule can be found here.
top


Is the free Children's Concert part of the festival?

Yes!
top


Do I have to reserve a space in the workshops?

Space is on a first-come, first-serve basis. The rooms are quite large, and each workshop-leader will have a microphone to help everyone in the room hear the melodies of the songs.

top


What other events does the festival have lined-up for children?

All of the workshops are children-friendly. Children under 12 are invited to join their parents in any workshop room.
top


How much does the festival cost?

Tickets for the Community Sing are:
$20 (public)
$18 (LAFSS members)
$5 All students, including college students

Click here to buy your tickets.

The 11 am Saturday morning Children's Show is Free!

Admission to any and all of the one-hour Saturday afternoon workshops is via a $20 festival wristband, on sale at the venue that day at 10:30am. Children 18 and under and students are admitted to all workshops free of charge!
top


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.)


top


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.
top



Who is producing this festival?

The Ten Pound Fiddle Concert and Dance Series is producing the Friday night concert, Saturday's Community Sing, and the Saturday afternoon workshops. With help from many community members, Festival Director Sally Potter has secured the line-up for the Community Sings and the Saturday afternoon workshops.

top


Who is sponsoring the festival?

You are! We've elected not to ask for corporate or private sponsorship of this festival. Therefore the concerts and workshops are funded entirely through ticket sales and workshop wristband sales. Thank you for your support of your festival.
top


What can I do to support this festival?

The best way is to purchase tickets and wristbands. 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.
top


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.



 

 

Ten Pound Fiddle Concert Series
©MWSF 2002-2023 | design // pleasantlyprogressivedesign