The Pennsylvania Music Preservation Society (PAMPS) is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization whose mission is to support traditional and emerging Pennsylvania musicians, promote and preserve Pennsylvania’s musical heritage and ongoing musical contributions, and support youth music activity and education.
We’re pleased that our organization has earned a Silver Seal of Transparency with Candid (aka Guidestar). You can support our work with trust and confidence by viewing our Nonprofit Profile.
Upcoming Events
Sept 2 to 7, 2026: Music Alive at the Red Barn Stage
For the third year in a row, Pennsylvania Music Preservation Society (PAMPS) is proud to present our entertainment stage at the 2026 Great Allentown Fair, all thanks to our generous sponsors and to the efforts of Phil Stahl who organized the daytime performances. The “MUSIC ALIVE AT THE RED BARN STAGE” is near the Red Barn produce stand in the Fairgrounds Farmers Market building. The “Music Alive” name was chosen in honor of the late Carole Gorney, Professor Emeritus at Lehigh University, who coined the phrase when she was the Executive Director of PAMPS.
The stage will feature musicians who will be entertaining our Farmers Market guests during the Great Allentown Fair.
The Pennsylvania Music Preservation Society aims to promote Pennsylvania’s abundance of musical talents. You can help fund our activities by donating to PAMPS, using the “Donate” link at the bottom of our Membership page.
“Music Alive at the Red Barn Stage” 2026 afternoon schedule:
• Wed Sept 2 at 5 PM: Nick Franclik
• Thu Sept 3 at 1 PM: Timoteo
• Thu Sept 3 at 3 PM: Josh Stott
• Thu Sept 3 at 5 PM: Ernie Ernst & Ryan Levan
• Fri Sept 4 at 1 PM: Bill Rice
• Fri Sept 4 at 3 PM: Phil Stahl
• Fri Sept 4 at 5 PM: Kevin Best & Kim Mechlin
• Sat Sept 5 at 1 PM: Steve Kemery
• Sat Sept 5 at 3 PM: Mike Snyder & Viviane Fusco-Ramirez
• Sat Sept 5 at 5 PM: Billy Nelson
• Sun Sept 6 at 1 PM: Catfish & Jo
• Sun Sept 6 at 3 PM: Shaun Miller
• Sun Sept 6 at 5 PM: Kay Hoffman & Friends
• Sun Sept 6 at 7 PM: Bubba
• Mon Sept 7 at 1 PM: Wyatt Albright
“Music Alive at the Red Barn Stage” 2026 evening schedule:
• Wed Sept 2 at 7:30 PM: JC & The Reggae Surfers Cat Credo Band
Variety dance band w/ vocals & original flamenco surf guitar style instrumentals
• Thu Sept 3 at 7:30 PM: Open mic hosted by J. Creed Cat Credo
with Jim Breakus (guitar, bass, vocals) & Tess McCoy (keyboards, violin, vocals)
• Fri Sept 4 at 7:30 PM: Open mic hosted by J. Creed Cat Credo
with Couples Therapy featuring Chaeli Rose (alternative rock)
• Sat Sept 5 at 7:30 PM: Open mic hosted by J. Creed Cat Credo
with The Marves (originals from keyboardist/vocalist & young female drummer)
• Sun Sept 6 at 7:30 PM: Open mic hosted by J. Creed Cat Credo
with Billowed Sail (folk group from New York City with male & female vocals)
Apr-Oct 2026: Ritz Barbecue, Found in the 60’s, Allentown Fair, & PAMPS present
We’re helping to present another year of free Sunday car show concerts outside Ritz Barbecue at the Allentown Fairgrounds for this year, alongside the cruise-in car shows held by the Found in the 60’s car club. Shows until Sept 13 are from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, while the concerts after that date are from 3:00 to 6:00 PM. Once again, we’re offering special concert seating free of charge for PAMPS members at each show. These concerts benefit Canine Partners for Life and MountainView Horse Rescue.
| 2026 schedule | All dates are subject to weather conditions |
| April 26th 4-7: Flirtin with the Mob | August 9th 4-7: Flirtin with the Mob (merging with Classic & Cruisers on Hamilton) |
| May 24th 4-7: The Main Street Cruisers | Sept 13th 4-7: The Main Street Cruisers |
| June 14th 4-7: The Large Flowerheads | Sept 27th 3-6: Girl Crüe |
| June 28th 4-7: The Castaway Band | Oct 11th 3-6: Band from the Ranch |
| July 12th 4-7: Girl Crüe | Oct 25th 3-6: Flirtin with the Mob |
| July 26th 4-7: Lucky 7 |
Recent events
Thu Aug 20, 2026: PA Treasury donates unclaimed musical instruments to PAMPS for use in Allentown school
Now this was one interesting day! Kristal Reiff, the manager of the PA Treasury vault in Harrisburg (the largest functioning vault in the country) which is used for storing unclaimed property, offered to donate to PAMPS about a dozen musical instruments whose original owners could never be located. On August 20 we were invited to a ceremony and tour of the Vault with PA Treasury Secretary Stacy Garrity, who was as friendly and knowledgeable as could be. We will donate most of the instruments to the Allentown School District for use by students at the Harrison-Morton Middle School, and the rest will be used for our planned PAMPS music workshops.
The outdoor group photo shows Kristal in the foreground, with (L to R) Marisol Santiago (head secretary, Harrison-Morton school), Emma Wetzel (artistic coordinator, PAMPS), Jesús Eduardo (assistant director, PAMPS), Dave Follweiler (secretary, PAMPS), and Jessika Gross (band & orchestra director, Harrison-Morton school). The vault photo shows us with Treasurer Garrity. We had a wonderful time and are grateful to everyone we interacted with at the PA Treasury Department.
Fri June 5, 2026: The 2026 Harrison-Morton Middle School Awards
Left to right: PAMPS Representative Angelo Mejia, student & Willie Restum Award Winner Mary Khouri,
instrumental music teacher and Harrison-Morton Band Director Jessika Gross, and PAMPS Representative Emma Wetzel
On Friday June 5th, 2026, Harrison-Morton Middle School held their annual awards ceremony for all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade music students. These students received awards for their efforts, determination, sense of community, and impact they had on one another and their school music program throughout the year. This year, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Music Preservation Society, a new award was given out to a well-deserved student who represents the legacy of Harrison-Morton, just as the musician this award was named after. The Willie Restum Award, in honor of acclaimed jazz musician & saxophonist Willie Restum, who also attended Harrison-Morton Middle School in the 1940s, represents the motto of leaving behind a legacy you will be remembered for. Willie Restum would go on to play on many iconic records, as well as with artists such as Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and Tony Bennett. The Pennsylvania Music Preservation Society is truly honored this year to give the Willie Restum Award to winner & Harrison-Morton student Mary Khouri.