The idea for organizing the Old Time Music Players of Maine (OTPM) gatherings came about one sunny afternoon while a group of locals were playing Irish music during a fiber festival on the Maine coast.
During a tuning break the conversation started up around bringing together musicians of every level to learn, share and play Old Time Music (OTM). The thought was to invite a few players who enjoy playing OTM along with a few players who have a deep knowledge and experience with old time string band playing and see what happened.
Well, a whole lot of wonderful players showed up for our first play around in the Studio at Searsport Shores Ocean Camping. The night went on for hours playing great songs, sharing stories, eating homemade potato chips and drinking warm adult beverages. The audience really enjoyed themselves leaving behind a healthy donation for the musicians that was given to the Shriners to use at the Children’s Hospital.
Thanks to Jim we all got together again in the fall at the UU church in Belfast, Maine. The playing went on for 4 straight hours with more than 30 musicians joining the group to share in playing old-time, string-band music.
Always the week before the Common Ground Fair in September we host the Strung Together Music Campout on the shores of Penobscot Bay. The weekend is dedicated to Old Time & Bluegrass jamming circles at all levels, good food, dances, some performance and most important being able to join a great community of people & players.
Please get in contact or send us your email so you can plan on joining us for the next OTM play around. All levels of interest and playing are welcome to join in the fun. Weekly music jams (all styles of acoustic) going all summer at Wednesday at the Shores from mid-June through the fall, every Wednesday from 5-7 PM. Monday nights come play or listen to the Sea Strings Community Orchestra having fun playing all types of fiddle tunes from 5-7 PM. Always free to the public. Hope to see you there!
Carver Musical Instrument Lending Library created by the Strung Together crew!
Carver Memorial Library is happy to offer a Musical Instrument Lending Library for anyone wanting to learn or try out a new instrument. The inventory of instruments includes 3 acoustic guitars, 2 electric guitars & amp, 4 violins of various sizes, a banjo, three mandolins, four ukuleles, an upright base and an accordion. Each instrument comes with a case, and a tuner is available upon request.
To get started, contact the library to check availability. CML’s Musical Instrument Lending Library was designed in partnership with The Maker’s Guild of Maine, and the instruments were donated by the Strung Together players group. This spring the library will be hosting a demo workshop for the community, which will be a great way to get started.
Who can sign out an instrument?
Any adult patron with a current Carver borrower account in good standing can check out an instrument. Items are checked out for four weeks. A replacement fee may apply to lost or damaged items.
Can I donate an Instrument to the library?
Absolutely, if you have instruments or instrument accessories in good condition you’d like to donate, please tell us more by emailing maine.old.time.music@gmail.com
Here are some types of instruments we accept: acoustic guitars, acoustic bass, banjos, ukuleles, violins, maracas, tambourines, steel drums, drum pads and drum pad sets, keyboards, concertinas, and similar instruments. We cannot accept pianos or wind instruments. Thank you for your support!
Old Time Music Players of Maine 