IUB-Traditional Old-Time Music & Dance Fund

It is the intent of the Donors, and the Foundation agrees, that income from this gift be used to support the research, study and preservation of traditional old-time music and dance, history, traditions, recordings, and materials, with an emphasis on student research as the primary objective. Old-time music is generally understood as a traditional music that developed primarily from a mingling of British Isles and African traditions. It emerged in the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries in the rural southeastern United States and spread with the migration of the population across much of the country. It features stringed instruments, especially fiddle and banjo, often with associated singing and dancing. As a living traditional art form which has transcended its original geographic boundaries, old-time music may be identified by its intrinsic stylistic qualities. Although old-time music has contributed to the development of numerous genres (eg., Bluegrass, Texas Contest Style, commercial Country, modern contra dance music and, most recently, Americana), the purpose and focus of this fund is to support the traditional end of the continuum rather than its more progressive offshoots.