MOO Music Gathering
November 7-9, 2025
We have a great slate of Featured Performers and workshops lined-up, with Joel Mabus and Will Branch bringing their special brands of musical magic to the Gathering.
Joel Mabus is a maverick in the folk music world. An award-winning folksinger, he defies any easy pigeonhole. By turns, he picks a mountain banjo to accompany an ancient ballad, sings a witty song about modern life, plays a sweet Irish melody on guitar, swings a hot jazz number, and then reaches deep for a soulful expression of values in a troubled world. He tops it all with a flatpicked fiddle tune or old ukulele song -- all skillfully blended into a seamless flow. One fan said, “It's music from the heart that hits you right between the eyes.” A mainstay on the folk circuit these past 40 years, Joel has 27 albums to his credit; the latest is Time & Truth.
For old (or new) folkies: the easy secrets of blues, jazz & popular music 10:15-11:45 AM
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So many questions. If you are looking for easy and practical answers, this class is for you. Dipping your toes in the water beyond the “One – Four – Five” progressions? What is a seventh chord, and when to use it? What about those chords with other numbers, like sixth or ninth, major and minor? Can’t I just ignore those? Down-beat, Back-beat, or Off-beat – what is that all about? And what’s the story with “time signatures?” Is it really ok to use a capo – and how would that make things LESS complicated?
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How to play well with others: in public or in private 2:45-4:15 PM
AKA- Holding your own in a jam session or a song circle, or even a band practice.
One of the great joys of music is making it with other musicians. Don’t deny yourself that pleasure. We’ll have several practical strategies and tips for musicians, whether the shy intermediate – or the adventurous beginner. Even for the seasoned basement rec-room folksinger. Tip number one: arrive tuned! .
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Will Branch is well-known to the Wisconsin folk music community and is making his MOO debute! He has been performing for the past 30 years as a solo act, in a duo, in a trio and in a 5-piece band. Since 1998 he has been one half of Fox & Branch, with his friend and musical partner Dave Fox. Fox & Branch have played nearly 2,000 performances in the US, Canada, the UK and Ireland. As a solo performer, Will performs a mix of traditional and original music. His original songs have found a home on folk radio and in independent film. He also works with children as a solo act, teaching music classes and doing concerts, and has taught guitar and banjo for the past 25 years.
Be a Community Musician 8:30-10:00 AM
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Would you like to find new ways to connect with other people through music? Would you like to improve your musical skills through some new challenges? In the same way that someone learning a new language makes progress when they visit a country where people speak that language, by making music in a new context you might find your musical abilities making a leap to a new level.
There are many lesser-known opportunities for making music in community situations, some of which have low barriers of entry. In this workshop we will talk about performing at senior centers, libraries, day care centers, and schools. We will discuss teaching licensed programs like Music Together, as well as how to put together and lead a community sing. This workshop is suitable for anyone but will be most beneficial to those who sing and are able to accompany themselves on an instrument.
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Fingerpicking for Traditional Music 1:00-2:30 PM
Are you interested in breaking out of only strumming the guitar, or are you able to fingerpick a little but would like to expand your abilities? In this workshop we will cover the basics of fingerpicking for traditional music, including pattern picking, Travis picking, and monotonic bass style. This workshop is suitable for any guitar player who knows their basic open chords. We will learn 3 great songs: "Green, Green Rocky Road", "Freight Train" and Robert Johnson's "Kindhearted Woman".
In addition to a lot of important patterns for the right hand, we will also learn many chord shapes and variations that are just as much a part of fingerpicking as a style.
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REGISTRATION
You can sign up for one, two, three, or all four performer workshops, in addition to some great participant-led workshop sessions!
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Click here to return to Announcement Page and begin registration
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