Riversong Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Riversong Music Society and when was it established?
• Where is Riverson Music Society
• Who operates RMS?
• How can I become a member?
• What is the difference between general membership and supporting members, or performing member musicians?
• I am not a musician, can I join?
• Does RMS have a mailed newsletter?
• Where is the RMS office?
• What is the RMS mailing address?
• What are the purpose, mission and goals of RMS?

In 1996 a group of individuals in SW Michigan expressed a mutual interest in organizing a music oriented group with the intent of fostering a musical community to present friendly, family-oriented appearances and cultures which would educate, promote and present diverse acoustic alternative musical performances while seeking traditions of the past and including innovations of the future. RMS acts as a forum for area musicians and is an active SW Michigan resource for seeking and presenting local, national and internationally noted artists in concert and workshops.. RMS officially became a registered Federal and State 501 © 3 non profit corporation in December of 1998. In 2005 a re-declaration of the Federal and State status was officially re- confirmed as a totally public funded corporation registered with the IRS and the State of Michigan.

Riversong is currently home based at the Box Factory for the Art in St. Joseph, Michigan, as an associated performing arts organization to the Berrien Artist Guild and also remains as a separate entity. Many RMS staff members are also BAG members and are also involved in the visual arts in varied areas as well as the performing arts in SW Michigan.

A team of elected officers; President, VP, Treasurer, Secretary and an elected executive committee comprise the staff members, including coordinators and committee chairmen who conduct all the necessary business of the organization in planning concerts and special venues. There are general member-musicians and volunteers who assist in other areas of need such as with the physical setup needs for venues.

Anyone who appreciates and has a love of acoustic music and wishes to help RMS further present good-tasteful family-oriented concerts, workshops in the SW community is welcome to join. All money from donations, memberships and marketing items are returned 100% to fund further presentations. Membership money and donations make it also possible for RMS "Good Works" mission committee chairmen to co-sponsor and make other family oriented community organizations presentations possible.

Supporting - general members in good standing are interested individuals who join RMS by paying the annual dues of $25 per year. General members are non musicians or musicians who wish to fund the effort for continuance of presentations by RMS. Supporting Performing Members Musicians are individuals and/or bands who continuously support Riversong with donations, time, gratis performances, in some instances and volunteer in many other areas of need all year. They make it possible for further presentations to occur with their generous efforts and donations. Supporting member musicians are eligible for performing in RMS venue lineups and are considered to be offered a wide publicity opportunity via RMS's vast promotional efforts.

Anyone who agrees with the family values RMS sets forth and understands and complies with the organizations guidelines and mission, as established in its bylaws, is welcomed to join us in our effort to further our goals.

Mailing newsletters on a timely basis and keeping the information current is difficult at best when performers who are scheduled have continuous changes and new scheduled venues occur. Postal rates are prohibitive to mail hundreds of hard copy newsletters and reduce funds available for future productions. Along with our web site, RMS newsletters, concert reminders and special notices are now totally electronic via Yahoo groups listing.

To become a subscriber, email; info@riversong.org you will be sent an invitation to join the group. To have the monitor and/1 of the 2 official moderators to approve your being listed, you must respond in less than a few days by emailing info@riversong.org to let the communications staff know your address has been correctly entered. Addresses will not be added unless approved by you and accepted and officially approved by the official moderators. If you wish to donate $5 annually for the email subscription it will be put into the "Good Works" projects fund.

RMS does not have a separate office. Check info available on the Riversong web site at http://www.riversong.org/

You may send artists promo/bios/gratis CD', membership applications or donations to:
      Riversong Music Society Organization       P.O. Box 554       St. Joseph, MI 49085
***If sending donation or for membership or renewals. Make checks payable to "Riversong Music Society"

Our desire is to sponsor and present "good-clean-family oriented acoustic music and fun at only appropriately approved venues in our community. We insist on friendly, family-oriented appearances. No alcohol, drugs or smoking is permitted within our venue premises. We seek new or established performing talented musicians of all ages, from diverse cultures, who desire the same values and interest. Our policy is zero tolerance of performers who does not honor these guidelines. Our staff and performing musician members participate all year and members of the executive board search to seek new talent of all ages, educate, mentor, promote and present a variety of acoustic alternative musical performances in tasteful and comfortable atmospheres.

Childrens Workshop at at 3 Oaks Old Tyme Fest
Led by Larry and Sandy Feldman

HOME - Riversong Homepage