Proceeds from the auction help ensure the continuation and growth of the Old Town School's community ventures, financial aid, performances, and education programs.
Each bidder submits a bid(s) without knowing others' bids. The highest bidder wins the item.
Sealed bid auction items include guitars signed by Richard Thompson, concerts, trips, and more!
Please contact Anita O'Connell with any questions at aoconnell@oldtownschool.org or 773-751-3365.
Old Town School of Folk Music's faculty is a treasure trove of extraordinary teaching artists who are also outstanding performers throughout Chicago and beyond. Support our Old Town School teachers while creating a unique, one-of-a-kind evening for your family and friends – right from your living room, front porch, or backyard! Have a specific teaching artist in mind? Need assistance identifying the genre of music for your backyard BBQ? Our Artist Engagement Manager will help arrange this showcase of live music for you with one of our astounding Old Town School teaching artists. (Some restrictions apply, mutually agreed upon date, valid thru December 31, 2022).
Minimum Bid: $1,500
BidAcclaimed musician and co-founder of the Grammy Award-winning Carolina Chocolate Drops, Rhiannon Giddens, signed this beautiful, Deering Artisan Goodtime 11” open back banjo. Old Town School of Folk Music was honored to host Rhiannon along with Francesco Turrisi for a stunning sold out performance on our very own Maurer Hall stage. If you were lucky enough to catch this amazing concert – or are simply a huge fan of Rhiannon – take home this one-of-a-kind memento. Made in the U.S.A., this 5-string banjo features a slender rock maple neck stained a rich brown, midnight maple fingerboard, 11” 3-ply violin grade maple rim, top frosted high crown head, and a 5/8” maple/ebony Goodtime Bridge. Be a part of Gidden’s lifelong mission to lift up people whose contributions to American musical history have previously been erased and to work toward a more accurate understanding of our country’s musical origins.
Minimum Bid: $1,000
BidDo you have a favorite seat at the Old Town School?! Add your name permanently to the history of Old Town School of Folk Music's Gary and Laura Maurer Concert Hall with an engraved nameplate on the back of a seat. Don't miss your chance – this opportunity is available to multiple winners.
Minimum Bid: $2,500
BidNamed the “finest rock songwriter after Dylan and the best electric guitarist since Hendrix” by Los Angeles Times, Richard Thompson is a true legend. Now you can rock out like Thompson with a Fender American Performer Stratocaster, signed by the one and only Richard Thompson after his Old Town School performance in November 2021.
This Fender Strat takes on the familiar lines and contours of a timeless design with a spectacular, satin Lake Placid Blue finish. The three single coils with maple fingerboard deliver just enough snarl to be satisfying when they're opened wide; the unique Greasebucket tone circuit keeps the mud out when you roll down the tone knob; and the push/pull tone pot will add the neck pickup to any switch position for a widely increased tonal palette. A classic 6-point synchronized tremolo bridge pairs with ClassicGear tuning machines for stable tuning, whether your whammy action is subtle or sweeping. For a crowning touch, the oversize '70s-style headstock with silver Fender logo helps set this guitar apart as something truly special. This stunning and one-of-a-kind Fender signed by Thompson is a must-have, so don’t wait to bid (many times)!
Minimum Bid: $1,000
BidYou and up to seven friends will enjoy a customized series of four (4) Old Town School of Folk Music signature workshops. Each workshop will include an hour of instruction, either in-person or virtually, with one of Old Town School’s renowned teaching artists. Choose from guitar, vocal music, songwriting, dance, harmonica, percussion, and more. Expand your skills in one area of focus or bring family and friends together to make each day a different experience! Come explore Old Town School and discover your newest passion. (Workshops will be scheduled on a day and time of your choice, balanced with teacher and potential room availability. Mutually agreed upon dates, valid thru December 31, 2022).
Minimum Bid: $900
BidTake home a Martin GPX1AE six-string guitar with a difference: yours will be signed by Ry Cooder himself. The guitar is Martin’s Grand Performance 14-fret, non-cutaway, acoustic-electric model, featuring a Sitka spruce top and high-pressure laminate mahogany-grained back and sides. The rust colored laminate neck also complements the rich hue of the back and sides, making this an aesthetic beauty. Equipped with Fishman Sonitone electronics for a great dynamic sound, this model includes sustainable wood certified parts. Guitar donated by Martin Guitar and Gayle Prete, and our thanks to Ry Cooder.
Minimum Bid: $1,000
BidWith over 300 days of sunshine per year and some of the highest annual snowfall amounts in North America, it doesn’t get much better than skiing in majestic Lake Tahoe for your next getaway. The surrounding ski resorts, all offering unparalleled scenic vistas of panoramic mountain and lake views, are located less than an hour from the Reno-Tahoe International Airport.
Your Experience includes:
Minimum Bid: $3,500
BidR. Crumb is known for his passion for music as well as his work as an illustrator. All collectors of his work prize the Heroes of the Blues, Early Jazz Greats, and Pioneers of Country Music trading card sets he created in the 1980s. Old Town School honors R. Crumb's work in the entry of our East Building with its permanently installed glass panels, featuring a selection of his illustrations. Be the highest bidder and add a duplicate of one of these amazing panels to your art collection.
Minimum Bid: $1,000
BidWith Old Town School of Folk Music now re-opening our buildings for concerts and classes, we are pleased to offer this package as a welcome back offering! This VIP Lincoln Square Neighborhood Package includes:
Minimum Bid: $2,500
BidOwn this beautiful custom built baritone ukulele courtesy of Mya-Moe Ukuleles. The baritone is the largest instrument in the ukulele family and is typically tuned DGBE, the same as the 4 treble strings on a guitar. Each Mya-Moe ukulele is individually handcrafted by Cary Kelly in his shop in Glenview, IL. This one-of-a-kind ukulele features the following specs:
CLICK HERE to see more details, including pictures at various stages of construction, and a sound sample of this beautiful instrument. Be the envy of all your friends and family by taking home this fine ukulele today! Gift of Mya-Moe Ukuleles.
Minimum Bid: $900
BidImagine having the historic and newly renovated 909 Armitage concert hall and lobby for a private concert! Work with the Old Town School Artist Engagement Manager to arrange a performance (solo or duo) from among the School's extraordinary teaching artists, as available. The Lobby and concert hall of our 909 Armitage building are yours for a night. A sound technician to work the sound system in the 909 hall will be provided. (Some restrictions apply, mutually agreed upon date, food/beverage are not included, valid thru December 31, 2022,).
Minimum Bid: $2,500
BidThe legendary multiple Grammy award-winning mandolinist Sam Bush graced our Old Town School stage in February 2020. After a rockin’ performance, he signed a beautiful Eastman F-style Mandolin, which is ready for you to take home! The MD315 features a solid spruce body and maple neck with a satin finish, with an adjustable compensated ebony bridge and an optional K&K Duotone pickup. All together, it’s a masterful sound and a glorious look.
Minimum Bid: $750
BidPlease contact Anita O'Connell at aoconnell@oldtownschool.org with any questions.
Old Town School takes the health and safety of our community very seriously. Please read our updated policies for visiting our campuses, as proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test is required for entry for all classes, concerts & events.
Read Our Health & Safety Update & Policy
