Celebrating 30 Years with Super Volunteer and Member – Frank Kisslinger

After 30 years of volunteering and supporting the School as a member, concert attendee and occasional class-goer, Frank Kisslinger’s presence has become a staple here at the Old Town School of Folk Music. Most weekends you’ll see him at the School greeting concert guests, taking tickets as an usher, serving as an artist liaison, driver, stage set-up/clean-up, and countless other activities.

Growing up in St. Louis, Frank always listened to folk music – enthralled with the likes of Tom Paxton, Simon & Garfunkel, the Guthries (both Woody and Arlo), Judy Collins, Joan Baez, and The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band to name a few. He was introduced to the Old Town School of Folk Music in 1972 while still in high school in St. Louis. His older sister’s boyfriend shared stories of his guitar classes at the School in the 60’s and 70’s. Upon moving to Chicago in 1983, he was thrilled to discover his apartment was a few blocks away from the 909 Armitage building and immediately began attending concerts. In 1987, Frank decided to become a volunteer and he has never looked back. Sitting down with Frank and reminiscing about his 30 years here at the Old Town School he reflected upon the following:

After 30 years, what keeps you motivated to continue your support of the School?
Old Town School of Folk Music is a school, a concert venue, and an arts organization. But more than anything, it’s a community. Unlike most communities, it is truly open and accepting to all. I came for the music and continue to stay for the community.

Favorite performance at Old Town School?
While there are too many to choose from, some standouts from concerts at Armitage include: Tom Paxton & John McCutcheon, Michael Smith & Greg Brown, Bela Fleck, and Alison Krauss. In Lincoln Square, my favorite weekend was several years back when we had a group of Tuvan Throat Singers on Friday, Tinariwen on Saturday and Robbie Fulk’s Secret Country on Sunday with John McEuen. That weekend truly articulates the artistic diversity here at the Old Town School.

Best memory as a volunteer?
Some of my favorite memories include sharing fresh made bread from a local bakery by Armitage with John Hartford at midnight; sitting with Patti Smith, unwrapping books for her to sign; hanging out until the wee hours of the morning, because George Winston wanted to practice on stage; talking with Arlo Guthrie right before he went on stage – so enraptured in conversation that he didn’t hear his name being announced; driving Hugh Masakala around the Midwest for 9 days, and; having a private performance from Sara Watkins on stage while I was cleaning up after the show. Not many people get these types of experiences, and it doesn’t get much better than that!

What do you see in the future for Old Town School?
One thing that has never changed is that we are constantly asking ourselves two questions: What is folk music and how do we stay relevant? The answer for the School has been to constantly expand the definition, grow, diversify musically and challenge the idea of what “folk music” really means. As long as the School continues to do this – Old Town School will grow and thrive.