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COURIER photo/Gabriel Fenoy
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| Renowned musicians Ben Harper, left, and Jackson Brown finish a set at the Claremont Folk Music Center’s 50th anniversary party last Saturday night. Now located on Yale Avenue, the Folk Music Center first opened in 1958 in a small building on the corner of Harvard Avenue and First Street. |
Folk Music Center celebrates a 50-year milestone in Claremont
The sounds of music could be heard along Yale Avenue in downtown Claremont. It was obvious there was a party and everyone was invited. The Folk Music Center celebrated its bicentennial birthday last Saturday with and food, a birthday cake and, of course, lots of music.
Over 200 people stopped by throughout the night to pay homage to the store/museum that has been supplying music and instruments to the community since 1958.
Saturday's event featured dozens of musicians performing on a small stage at the establishment in the Village. Performers grabbed random instruments from around the store and played impromptu sets together.
The store's owner and renowned musician Ben Harper performed throughout the night. So did John York, formerly of the Byrds, Jackson Brown, Chris Darrow, Rick Shea and Money Mark.
“There's a strong feeling of community there,” Mr. York said. “You're not going to find that kind of several generation family store. They aren't there just to make money. They are supplying musical instruments to the community that there is a strong need for.”
Mr. York said back in his recording days, he would often pop into the Folk Music Center to borrow any instrument he needed. “There was a strong feeling of trust,” Mr. York said. (story continues below)
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COURIER photo/Gabriel Fenoy
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| More than a dozen musicians—including Ben Harper and his mother, Ellen Chase-Verdries—play one last song Saturday night at the conclusion of the Folk Music Center’s 50th anniversary party. |
From its beginning, the location has been a gathering point for anything music oriented. Music lovers come from afar to take instrument lessons, tune their gear, or just hang out and play. The store is registered as a non-profit museum, with many schools making field trips to view the Center's unique array of instruments. They can also learn a little bit about folk music.
It all started after original owners Dorothy and Charles Chase moved to the area from Boston, where they were heavily involved in the music scene. Dorothy began giving guitar and banjo lessons while her husband made instrument repairs.
“Their home became overrun with instrument,” said daughter Ellen Chase, who now runs the store. “They figured out pretty quickly that there was a need for what they were doing.”
They opened the original shop in a small building on First Street and Harvard Avenue until it was moved in 1967. The store spent a few years across the street from its current location at 220 Yale Ave. where it has been since 1970.
As the Dorothy and Charles grew older, their grandson Ben Harper purchased the store. “We all wanted to keep it in the family,” Ms. Chase said. “There were several people interested in buying it. By keeping it in the family, we could keep it how it was and maintain it in the area.”
Despite several months of diminished activity due to the poor economic climate, Ms. Chase believes the store will be around for decades to come. “Music is a good and inexpensive way to cheer you up if you got other woes,” she said.
Currently, the Folk Music Center offers lessons in guitar, banjo, Ukulele, harp and dulcimer. Every last Sunday of the month, they host a popular open mike night. Upcoming concerts include Tremoloco performing tonight at 7:30 p.m., Bob Brozman on Sunday, January 11 at 7:30 p.m. and ukulele singer Janet Klein on February 21.
—Tony Krickl
