Songs of the Susquehanna concert announced, new song entries soon to be accepted

Late in 2020, the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association (MSRKA) started accepting original songs inspired by the Susquehanna River and its tributaries for "Songs of the Susquehanna," a project designed to safely engage and educate people about the river while promoting the region's diverse pool of talented musicians.

On Saturday, Sept. 25, from 6-8 p.m., the MSRKA will celebrate the success of that project via a benefit concert aboard the Hiawatha Paddleboat near Williamsport featuring six artists involved with the inaugural effort -- William Ryan, Johanna Kodlick, Don Shappelle, Hannah Bingman, Gary Gyekis and Steve Hulslander.

The event will include a variety of songs from each of the musicians, including the original song each submitted for the first round of the program. The benefit concert cruise is sponsored by the Rusty Rail Brewing Company out of Mifflinburg. Tickets are $25 each, with all proceeds going back to helping the MSRKA protect and promote our river-based resources.

Please note that the event will be dependent on the status of the COVID pandemic, and guidelines for the cruise will be dictated by the Hiawatha Paddleboat staff and the regulations they need to follow at the time. 

Tickets are limited and will be honored in the order they are purchased. They can be purchased here:

2021 Songs of the Susquehanna Benefit Concert Cruise

$15.00

Sold out

Update (9/24/21): The Benefit Concert Cruise has been canceled due to high water issues at the Hiawatha. Ticket purchases will be reimbursed via Pay Pal. We will be planning a Songs of the Susquehanna benefit concerts in the Spring and Fall of 2022. More details to come soon.

On Saturday, Sept. 25, from 6-8 p.m., the MSRKA will celebrate the success of the Songs of the Susquehanna project via a benefit concert aboard the Hiawatha Paddleboat near Williamsport featuring four artists involved with the inaugural effort -- Don Shappelle, Hannah Bingman, Gary Gyekis and Steve Hulslander.

The event will include a variety of songs from each of the musicians, including the original song each submitted for the first round of the program. The benefit concert cruise is sponsored by the Rusty Rail Brewing Company out of Mifflinburg. Tickets are $15 each, with all proceeds going back to helping the MSRKA protect and promote our river-based resources.

Purchase tickets

Also, the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association will soon be accepting entries for Songs of the Susquehanna 2022. Musicians of all backgrounds are encouraged to enter up to two original songs inspired by the Susquehanna River (or its tributaries) starting Nov. 1, 2021, through Jan. 31, 2022. 

An MP3 of the song is preferred, along with a separate file with the lyrics (at least listed in the body of the email) sent to [email protected]. Songs must be appropriate for all ages. Entries will be shared on the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper website through the month of February for review and comment before the final playlist is selected.

If you have any questions or comments, contact Riverkeeper John Zaktansky at [email protected].

To purchase a copy of the Songs of the Susquehanna 2021, click below:

Songs of the Susquehanna Volume 1 CD

$15.00

Check out 20 of the 46 original river-inspired songs submitted into our inaugural Songs of the Susquehanna project. This collection includes a great variety of genres, stories and information that helps engage the listener with the environmental, recreational, therapeutic and historical elements of our river and its tributaries. CDs are available for pickup at 112 Market Street, Sunbury, or can be sent to you in the mail.

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