Wheatland Music Organization

47th Annual Wheatland Music Festival

September 10th-12th, 2021

Summer Wheat Music Camp

June 2022

Wheatland Festival Grounds Remain Closed for Now

To our friends and neighbors.

Wheatland Festival Grounds Remain Closed 2020 was a tough year for everyone, with the COVID-19 pandemic setting the backdrop for major adjustments in the way we all live our lives and operate our businesses. The Wheatland Music Organization was no exception. To protect the Organization during this uncertain time, the Board closed the festival grounds to all but those who need to be there to perform maintenance or land management activities. But the inability to gather on the farm for music, fun and fellowship has left a hole in our hearts that we all yearn to fill.

Generally, our friends and neighbors have respected the Board’s decision and stayed away, though some have been unable to resist outings to one of their favorite spots on earth. We’ve seen posts and pics documenting the fun, and again ask everyone that they please not enter the farm property without permission from the business office.
Warning: Lola will say “no” unless you really need to be there.

Hopefully, things will improve so that we can soon pick up where we left off in 2019. We’re looking forward seeing you all for an in-person, old-fashioned, fun-filled, happy Wheatland in 2021!

Headlines / Announcements

ICYMI Episode 12 – Michigan Songwriters in the Round 2020

Enjoy this REPLAY of "Michigan Songwriters in the Round 2020" originally streamed live on Sep 12, 2020 during Wheatland Worldwide 2020. In the round performances by Michigan singer-songwriters Kyle Rasche, Samantha Cooper, Kaitlin Rose, and Mike Ward.

Feel (and learn) the Beat! The Rhythm Stage performers include: Barb Pitcher, Brenda Huckins Bonter, Beth Keloneva - "Wonderful World of Frame Drums"; Carolyn Koebel and Jonathan Wegner of Michigan Hiryu Daiko - "Music of the Taiko Drums"; Kevin Jones teaches "Ganza" (music for a rite of passage); Josh Dunigan - Musical Moments in Your Home!; Sundance DiDominico

The LIVE extension of director Sharon Leahy's "dance for camera," filmed during Wheatland Music Organization’s 40th anniversary 2013 festival. A documentary that shows the concentration, energy and focused skill of the ardent dancers and musicians - in rehearsal and then the explosive exhilaration of performance.

Songwriting program Wheatsongs - that normally runs during the Wheatland Music Festival - continued online as part of Wheatland Worldwide 2020 led by instructors Jan Krist and Dan Hazlett. The online program featured teaching segments, discussions and sharing session of songwriting process, group performances and one-on-one sessions with Dan and Jan and each participant. Watch what 2020's 16 participated created!

A wonderful variety of presentations from the Kid's Hill gang. Come on and play along! Featuring: Lavender Cloud, Aspen, Build an instrument with Dave, The Nott Family (with Jess), Lake Effect, Kristen Hartnagel, Susan Harrison and Palamazoo, and the JukeJoint Handmedowns.

This hands-on (feet-on!) workshop for all ages will introduce you to some of these gestures that you can use to make music with your feet. Drawing from clog and step dance styles from Ireland, Scotland, England, Canada, and Appalachia, Nic Gareiss will share the building blocks of many of these movement traditions.

Hello 2021 – Sparkle Up the New Year with a Wheatland Donation

GOODBYE 2020 – You have been a year of challenges and changes…

Wheatland Music would like to send a huge thank-you to all our supporters this past year – emotional as well as financial. Your support has meant a great deal to us and helped get through a difficult year.

HELLO 2021 – A year for hope and the promise of better things to come!

Like other arts organizations, Wheatland is feeling the pinch of no ticket sales revenue. Festival income is the primary funding source for Wheatland programming as well as insurances, utilities, staffing, land and building maintenance and more. Many budget cuts have been made to stay operational.

Please make a gift and/or buy a membership today.

To make a GIFT to Wheatland, use:

The Donation Page here at WheatlandMusic.org
Paypal Paypal.me/wheatlandmusic
or print the Donation Form to send a check
Could you support Wheatland on an ongoing basis? Click here to become a Recurring Monthly Donor. You determine the amount and method of payment – the charge will automatically be made each month.

Another great way for families and individuals to invest is to buy a 2021 Wheatland Membership!

Be sure to ask your tax preparer about the new CARES Act tax benefits for both itemizers and those who take a standard deduction that give to a nonprofit during 2020.

– Lola Tyler, Executive Director
Wheatland Music Organization, Inc.