Long Island Music Hall of Fame in the Schools
Inspiring and Educating Students about Long Island’s Unique Musical Heritage

Objective

The mission of the Long Island Music Hall of Fame is educating the public – especially students – about the wealth of musical talent that has been a part of the area’s heritage from its beginnings to the present day. Many of the music world’s top stars have found inspiration and been nurtured by the region’s support and love of the arts. LIMHoF wishes to inspire all young people, and perhaps future musicians, by teaching them about this unique heritage.

To that end, LIMHoF is offering to schools, from pre-school through college, special programs specifically created and presented by local professional musicians who are established, experienced and respected for their work in music education.

Fees vary depending on act and number of shows booked in a day. Please email Tom Needham for more information about these programs. To that end, LIMHoF is offering to schools, from pre-school through college, special programs specifically created and presented by local professional musicians who are established, experienced and respected for their work in music education. Please ask us about age appropriateness and length of programs. Most can be tailored to your needs.

The Programs

Marching Toward Freedom: Long Island Musicians of the Folk-Rock Era Performer: Gathering Time The ’60s and early ’70s were an era of great change and turmoil in American society, with a vocal youth movement leading the calls for civil rights, equality, and an end to war. Combining the meaningful, socially conscious words of the folk music tradition with the energy of rock ‘n’ roll, folk-rock was the music that defined the generation – and Long Island Music Hall of Famers were part of it! This program includes songs by Richie Havens, Simon & Garfunkel, Carole King, Arlo Guthrie, Harry Chapin, Neil Diamond, and more. Gathering Time includes two Long Island folk stalwarts: Glen Roethel and Stuart Markus, both of whom have been part of the local acoustic folk scene for more than 15 years. Together with newcomer Hillary Foxsong, the three have been turning heads with their tight harmonies and vocal blends.
Roots and Branches - Homemade Music on Long Island From the 1700s to 1900s Performers: Larry Moser and Mary Nagin Before modern media all music was live and in person, amateur or professional. Larry Moser and Mary Nagin play and sing songs from the 1700s to the early 1900s using traditional instruments of the time - fiddle, hammered dulcimer, concertina, guitar, and accordion. They feature melodies that were popular throughout the country, including many by Stephen Foster, and others collected or composed by Long Island’s own William Sidney Mount. Some fun and easy colonial and 1800s dances can be included in Larry and Mary’s programs. Larry Moser has performed traditional folk music as a singer and multi-instrumentalist on Long Island for close to forty years, appearing at museums, historical societies and libraries with varied programs. He has been associated with both the Long Island Traditional Music Association and the Folk Music Society of Huntington. Mary Nagin studied violin and folk music and combines these two interests working with Larry in music and dance programs.
In the Key of Sea: Songs of Long Island’s Maritime Heritage Performer: Strike the Bell Long before parkways, daily commutes to New York City, or even Gold Coast Mansions, Long Islanders made much of their living from the sea. Northport and Port Jefferson were shipbuilding villages, Cold Spring Harbor and Sag Harbor were home to whaling fleets. Fishing villages lined the shore, and Montauk Lighthouse was commissioned by President Washington. Join us in singing the songs of the whalers and merchant seamen who made Long Island their home – and learn some of the many modern words and expressions that come down from the salty sea. Performing together since 1997, Strike the Bell is made up of two stalwarts of the Long Island folk scene, Judith Zweiman and Stuart Markus. Both are full-time musicians for whom traditional music is near and dear to their hearts. Together, they present a rollicking show that has audiences laughing and singing along, and learning in the process.
Spotlight on Long Island’s Own Singer-Songwriters - A Concert Performer: Patricia Shih Long Island has been a breeding ground for some of the world’s best composers and musicians. Award-winning singer-songwriter Patricia Shih will highlight some Grammy-winning singer-songwriters and LIMHoF inductees that Long Island is proud to call its own. Artists spotlighted may include Billy Joel, Harry Chapin, Carole King, Cindy Lauper and Neil Diamond. Patricia Shih is a multiple award-winning singer-songwriter, recording artist, TV personality and author based in Huntington. Ms. Shih has toured North America, delighting audiences of all ages since the age of 15. She has been featured on numerous radio and TV shows (including hosting Cablevision’s Tell Me A Story), at major music festivals, and with such luminaries as Pete Seeger, Bonnie Raitt, David Bromberg, Tom Chapin, Richie Havens, Odetta and Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary.
POP! Goes the Island: The Golden Age of Rock and Roll Radio Performer: Squeaky Clean Songwriters, singers, record producers and musicians from one end of Long Island to the other made a big splash on the radio airwaves from the 1950s through the 1980s. Squeaky Clean’s new show, created exclusively for LIMHoF, presents short audio-visual biographies projected on a six-by-nine foot screen, followed by live musical performances. The show profiles Brill Building songwriters Ellie Greenwich, Carole King, Burt Bacharach, Paul Simon, Brooklyn-born Neil Diamond, Billy Joel, Massapequa’s rockabilly revivalists The Stray Cats, and Ozone Park’s beloved Cyndi Lauper. Squeaky Clean has been presenting their unique and skillful mix of music, multimedia and history in Long Island schools since 1984. With their authentic look and sound, the band has introduced generations of school kids to the music of Chuck Berry, the Beatles, the Supremes and other superstars of rock and roll.
The Sounds of Long Island Jazz - Swinging In Rhythm - Its History and Significance Performer: Napoleon Revels-Bey Napoleon Revels-Bey’s New Mo Swing Ensemble will explore the history and cultural spread of jazz, America’s indigenous music, and how it migrated from the south to the cities of Chicago and New York to the shores of Long Island – through some of its most famous entertainers such as Count Basie, Mariah Carey, Ellie Greenwich, Guy Lombardo, and John Coltrane. Mr. Revels-Bey, drummer-percussionist, composer, arranger and educator, is no stranger to the music world, having performed in many Broadway productions such as Eubie, Bob Fosse’s Dancin’, and Ain’t Misbehavin’, as well as productions of the Ice Capades, Essence Award program, and Newark Jazz Festival. He has performed with a variety of artists, such as Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Gregory Hines, and Savion Glover.
The History of The Blues on Long Island Performer: Toby Walker With the music of the blues and colorful stories, Toby Walker will trace the Great Migration of African-Americans as they journeyed from the hardships of the south to the cities in the north. Using authentic old time instruments, Mr. Walker will coax the sound of a locomotive, a Model-T Ford and a little boy’s voice out of a harmonica. He will demonstrate a one-stringed diddley bow, a 1930 steel guitar, and a modern Fender electric guitar. Toby makes learning fun and interactive as he paints wonderful musical pictures of his travels throughout the southern United States, where he learned his art directly from old time blues musicians. This program can be geared for students grades 4 thru college. Students will participate through singing along and acting with Toby right on stage. Toby Walker is an unique guitar virtuoso. He is adept at blues, rags and hot country picking, and is a skilled singer-songwriter who draws inspiration from traditional and contemporary music. Toby has been eagerly received in various venues including concert halls, festivals and coffeehouses throughout the US, England and Europe. Whether it is telling the humorous and heartwarming tales of other masters, talking about his inspirations, or astounding you with his mastery, his performances are a feast for the senses.
Other Programs Available
Patricia Shih • Songs of Wonderful Women Musicians of Long Island. A musical journey visiting some of the fabulous female stars that have been born and nurtured here. • Songs of Woody Guthrie, Grandfather of American Folk Music. Along with Pete Seeger, no one else has impacted contemporary American folk music like Woody Guthrie. How Long Island helped influence this important pioneer and his music.
Toby Walker • Songwriting – YOU Can Do It! A blues songwriting workshop where students are taught to collaborate with each other as they write their own blues lyrics