“Folk” long has been known as the music of the people.
And the members of Simple Gifts, who have performed everywhere from the Smithsonian and the Brooklyn Museum of Art, to the Philadelphia Folk Festival and National Governor's Convention, can't wait to remind an Alle-Kiski Valley audience of just how inclusive it can be.
That entertaining lesson comes Thursday as the acclaimed State College duo take up musical residence in Kittanning for a day — hosting their popular free “Learn to Play the Spoons” percussion workshop for all ages at 2 p.m. in the Kittanning Public Library, followed by a free concert at 7 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Church.
Just do the math, suggest members Linda Littleton and Karen Hirshon: “Two women plus 10 instruments equals one good time.”
“There are a lot of instruments, a lot of styles and a lot of fun,” adds Littleton, who founded Simple Gifts in 1989.
They have recorded six albums — their newest is “Crossing Borders: Music of Many Lands” — and have performed on bills with Natalie MacMaster, Tom Paxton, John McCutcheon, Robin and Linda Williams, Jay Unger and Molly Mason and Boys of the Lough, among others.
At times, they are joined by Rachel Hall, who is recognized as one of the leading English concertina players in the United States, to become a trio.
Littleton has a strong background as a classical violinist, having served as principal second violin in the Nittany Valley Symphony. Hirshon was raised in a family that emphasized church music. In the '70s, she toured nationally with the bluegrass band Whetstone Run and helped found the American old-time group, Rustical Quality String Band.
As Simple Gifts, they perform primarily folk music from a variety of cultures.
“They are our own arrangements, not traditional, but they respect and borrow from the traditions,” Hirshon says.
She and Littleton do see themselves as a link in a chain of tradition of folk music. “But we are allowed to exercise our own musical ideas (too),” Hirshon says. “Folk music is accessible, historical. It can be performed by many, as much of it is rather simple and repetitive,” she explains. “But this makes it very challenging at the same time, like the theme that may be repeated in different forms in classical western music.”
The group takes it's name from the title of a Shaker hymn. “It conveys simplicity, which our music really isn't, though,” Littleton says.
Most folk music, Hirshon adds, is based on relatively simple melodies that lend themselves to simple and complex arrangements.
By whatever name, says Amanda Powell, Kittanning Library director, the library is happy to host Simple Gifts.
“They fit into our goal of providing educational, cultural and recreational opportunities and programs to the residents of the area,” she says. “They pull together a wide range of traditions and music that appeals to all ages. They seem to have fun with their performance and encourage audience participation.”
Connecting with people is of primary importance say the duo.
“We love seeing people react and interact during a concert,” Hirshon says. “We try to influence people to want to play music, but also want them to learn about some unusual instruments and styles.”They invite the audience to try some of their instruments after a show.
Hirshon says it is enjoyable to convince people that they are more musically inclined than they think they might be. “This is the best. They are always surprised what they can do once they are just shown,” she says.
“We go out of our way to make them involved, talking to them and taking questions,” Littleton says.Those attending the spoons workshop at 2 p.m. can be part of the show at 7 p.m. At one point during the concert, Hirshon and Littleton will invite the “spoon section” to accompany them.
It is Simple Gifts' most requested workshop in which they teach all ages to play spoons, following in the Appalachian tradition where two teaspoons are held in one hand and played as a percussion instrument. The musicians also introduce the rudiments of arranging music: where to play loud or quiet, how to vary rhythm and how to choose sounds that match the music.
“People love learning to play an instrument that's so easy and readily available. It's very satisfying to the people that learn,” Littleton says.
Powell says that, originally, the spoons session was intended for the children who attend the library's preschool story hour, but there was such an enthusiastic response from adults that it was opened to anyone to attend.
“The best thing about this is that it is a multigenerational program. Children will enjoy it because it's fun to make music. Adults will enjoy it because it is an opportunity to try something new.”She believes that keeping the folk tradition alive is important.
“Folk music shows us where we come from,” Powell says. “Music is closely tied to the traditions, beliefs and lifestyle of our ancestors. Music from around the world provides the opportunity for individuals to experience a piece of various cultures.”
Hirshon says, “We hope people take a respect and appreciation for the role that folk music has played and still plays for many cultures throughout the world, including our own, and the role that music in general plays for the culture, and for individuals as well.”
