Close-up of a wooden violin against a black background, showing the body, strings, and fingerboard.
Wooden musical instruments mounted on a wooden background, including a guitar, violin, double bass, and banjo.

Keeping Traditional Music Alive Through Education, Performance, and Community

The Institute of American Music Foundation provides educational resources, performances, and community-building tools that help musicians, educators, and organizers preserve and share traditional American music.

Close-up of an elderly person's hand playing an acoustic guitar. The hand is positioned on the fretboard, pressing down on the strings.
Close-up of an elderly person's hand playing an acoustic guitar. The hand is positioned on the fretboard, pressing down on the strings.
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Book cover titled 'Fiddle Tunes for Guitar: 22 tunes for the intermediate guitarist' by Mark Gislison. The cover features an image of a guitar neck and body in a watercolor style with a brownish background and a logo of various string instruments in the bottom right corner, with the website 'InstituteofAmericanMusic.com' at the bottom.
Book cover titled 'Fiddle Tunes for Guitar: 22 tunes for the intermediate guitarist' by Mark Gislison. The cover features an image of a guitar neck and body in a watercolor style with a brownish background and a logo of various string instruments in the bottom right corner, with the website 'InstituteofAmericanMusic.com' at the bottom.
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A large group of people holding hands and dancing in a circle inside a spacious hall with a stage, musical instruments, and a pipe organ in the background.
A large group of people holding hands and dancing in a circle inside a spacious hall with a stage, musical instruments, and a pipe organ in the background.
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A person playing a small stringed instrument, possibly a mandolin or violin, outdoors in front of a brick wall. The person’s face is not visible, and they are dressed in a black shirt with floral embroidery and light-colored pants. Various musical equipment is around them, including a violin case and microphone stand.
A person playing a small stringed instrument, possibly a mandolin or violin, outdoors in front of a brick wall. The person’s face is not visible, and they are dressed in a black shirt with floral embroidery and light-colored pants. Various musical equipment is around them, including a violin case and microphone stand.
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Our Story

Orchestra musicians, mostly women, playing violins during a performance in a concert hall.

Founded in 2004, the Institute of American Music Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and celebrating traditional American music and related traditions through educational resources, performances, and community programs. We believe traditional music connects generations, strengthens communities, and enriches lives.

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Featured Resources

Fiddling for String Orchestra Volume 1
Fiddling for String Orchestra Volume 1
$199.00

Fiddling for String Orchestra is a 2-volume series which presents arrangements of American, Canadian, Irish, and Scottish fiddle tunes for string orchestra. Volume 1 contains beginning and intermediate level arrangements. The pieces are graded using the National School Orchestra Association (NSOA) graded-level guidelines. This digital download comes with permission to print unlimited copies for use within a single organization, school, or community group.

Fiddling Duets (for 2 Violins & Piano)
Fiddling Duets (for 2 Violins & Piano)
$49.00

Fiddling Duets is a 3-book bundle containing fiddle tunes for a violin duo with piano accompaniment. The tunes are traditional melodies arranged specifically for a violin duet and piano such that all three musicians can play melody, harmony, and accompaniment at different times during the piece. This bundle also provides violinists and pianists an opportunity to become familiar with fiddle tunes from the U.S., Canada, Ireland, England, and Scotland. This digital download gives you permission to make copies for personal use.