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Salem State freshman takes first prize in Boston Folk Festival Songwriting Competition

Salem State freshman Molly Pinto Madigan took first place in the Boston Folk Festival’s songwriting contest held September 12, 2009, with her composition, “I’m Bound Away.”

The 19-year-old, who has just begun her studies at Salem State as a music major, is enrolled in the prestigious Commonwealth Honors Program at the school. Trained as a classical pianist, Madigan is also a singer/songwriter. In addition to solo performances, she is lead singer for Jaded Mandolin, a bluegrass band. Master of many instruments, she plays bodhran, banjo, guitar, and pennywhistle in addition to piano.

Molly Madigan’s interests within the field are wide ranging, and include the interaction between music and culture, world music and folklore.