CONCERT PERFORMANCES FOR ADULTS

Dave Ruch is a dedicated performer, interpreter and collector of traditional American and New York State folk songs whose music has been featured on American Public Media and on stages across North America and the U.K.

In his very special concert programs for adults, Dave presents, and tells the stories behind, the songs of real people from days gone by - - farmers, lumbermen, children, immigrants, native americans, canallers, hops pickers, lake sailors and more - - songs from the people who settled and built our region, and our country.

Dave is also a strong instrumentalist who was for many years a highly sought-after instructor of guitar and mandolin in the Buffalo NY area. He has taught hundreds of beginning through advanced music students, and has performed with numerous nationally- and internationally-known folk, rock and bluegrass artists.

Dave playing with NYS hammered dulcimer player and
tradition bearer Paul Van Arsdale

The WAR of 1812–
SONGS and STORIES from NY and beyond
In this lecture/concert, Dave Ruch presents a fascinating portrait of the War of 1812 through the songs and stories of the people themselves. Ruch has dug deeply into archival recordings, diaries, old newspapers and other historical manuscripts to unearth a wealth of rarely-heard music which, alongside some of the classics from the war, offers a rounded and fascinating picture of this “second war of independence.” Special emphasis is given to New York State’s important role in the conflict.

"Dave is phenomenal." -SARA OGGER, PHD, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THE NEW YORK COUNCIL FOR THE HUMANITIES

Traditional Songs of New York State
Dave’s "signature concert"!
Lively presentations of songs and ditties from all corners of the Empire State. These are the songs of real-life "Yorkers" from the past - important pieces of our heritage - collected through considerable research, and interpreted for all to enjoy.

Book the program as is, or inquire about specialized program themes centered around your part of the state or area of interest ..... "Songs of New York State’s Waterways", "19th-Century Rural Life in NYS", "Songs of the Adirondacks", etc.

"Each time Ruch picks up his guitar and clears his throat to sing, you can almost hear the bawdy timbre of Adirondack lumbermen, the tidal lilt of the Great Lakes sailors, or the lone, careworn voice of an upstate farmer calling out of the past." -PETER KOCH, ARTVOICE MAGAZINE, BUFFALO NY

The Native Americans of New York State
Dave brings along his guitar and traditional Iroquois instruments for an informative session that’s also a lot of fun! Explore the life, history, music and culture of New York State’s early inhabitants while singing along (in English and Iroquois!), acting out songs and even playing an authentic Iroquois gourd rattle.

"Thank you for your great program......I can highly recommend Dave Ruch" 
JAMES HUGHES, WATERLOO HISTORICAL SOCIETY, WATERLOO NY

The Erie Canal
A treasure trove of songs, stories and instrumental dance tunes from the workers, captains, passengers and crews of "Clinton’s Ditch", along with related material from the Great Lakes and the Hudson River. This interactive program will entertain and enlighten, and features a variety of stringed & other musical instruments from canal days.

"It was great hearing your show. Very nice performance!" 
-LYNN ARTHUR KOCH, AUTHOR, FOLK SONGS OF UPSTATE NEW YORK

The American Songbag - Traditional American Folk Songs
Banjo, mandolin, guitar, dulcimer and jawharp combine for a special program of regional song traditions from all across our country. Expect sea shanties, Appalachian ballads, cowboy songs, Mississippi & Ohio River roustabout songs, country blues from the Deep South and more, all presented with entertaining stories and just the right amount of humor.

Dave performs with Jay Mankita at the OId Songs Festival, Altamont NY, June 2006

Folk and other Music Festivals
A wide variety of workshop topics are available covering instrumental instruction, music theory, songfinding and more.  Titles include the following:
 
INSTRUMENTAL
 
• Mandolin styles, beginning to advanced (folk, bluegrass, swing, rock, jazz, blues, ethnic/world)
• Guitar styles, beginning to advanced (folk, bluegrass, swing, rock, jazz, blues, ethnic/world)
• Song accompaniment for any instrument
• Learn the jew's harp, beginners
• Learn the 5-string banjo, beginners (old-time styles)
• Learn how to play "hambone", beginners 
• Discovering the fretboard (guitar or mandolin)
• Backup guitar, connecting chords with runs
• Music theory for folkies
• Music theory made simple
 
SONGS, TUNES & SONGFINDING
 
• Traditional Songs of New York State or The Northeast
• Traditional Singers of New York State or The Northeast
• New York State's Mountain Music
• Regional Fiddle Tunes
• Chorus Songs
• Work Songs
• Occupational Songs
• Funny Songs
• Songs of the Lumberwoods
• Songs of our Waterways
• Folk and Country Blues of The Grateful Dead
• Songs from American Oral Tradition
• Working from "Source" Field Recordings
• Mining the Archives for Songs
• Singing with Children (for adults)
• Children's Concert
• Family Concert

"My wife and I both agreed....you played GREAT!" - Michael Cooney, Folk Music Legend, at Old Songs Festival 2006, Altamont NY

"Fierce mandolin picker, and hero of the tour" 
-Carol A. Wade, Duprees Diamond News Magazine, Northhampton MA

"A triumphal night....a complete success" - Vic Smith, Folk at the Royal Oak, Lewes England

"Outstanding musicianship and fascinating stories" - Cambridge Now!, Ontario Canada

Dave Ruch has researched regional folklore and song traditions at Cornell University and the New York State Historical Association, and using materials from Smithsonian Folkways, New York Folklore Society, Harold Thompson Folklore Archives, Ivan Walton Great Lakes folklore collection, Anne & Frank Warner collections, Stevens-Douglass manuscript, John & Alan Lomax archives, Buffalo & Erie County Library's Grosvenor Room, Helen Hartness Flanders Ballad Collection, Shoemaker Pennsylvania resources, Eddy Ballads of Ohio collection, Anne Grimes, Library of Congress, Edith Fowke & Helen Creighton Canadian collections and more.