It has been a busy month here in the hills and there are a lot of events coming up you should know about. You might also like to know what has been happening in this busy month.
But first, many thanks to those of you who have said how much you appreciate this e-Newsletter. Sometimes when we get asked what is going on or a disappointed individual has missed an event, we begin to wonder whether the attachment ever gets clicked. Many thanks also go to all those music shops we have visited. This month they include Hobgoblin Music in Birmingham, Fair Deal Music in Birmingham, Trefor Davies Music in Leominster and Marcus Music at Tredegar House. These are all excellent sources of instruments and advice, and what is more, they are welcoming places where you can buy in confidence. Marcus Music specialises in drums and makes a range of concertinas as well restoring and repairing instruments. If you are visiting the National Trust’s Tredegar House their workshop is in the row of shops near the ticket office.
Thanks also go to Sam Simmons, the editor of Folk Life, who has asked us to be correspondents for South West Herefordshire. Previously known as Folk Life West this re-launched publication is acquiring a wide circulation which currently covers the North West, Wales, the Midlands and the South West as far as the Scilly Isles. If you have any folk news please e-mail us.
Best wishes,
John and Jane Baxter
Past Events
On Thursday 6th September we went to our first session with the Black Hill Tune Club organised by Judy Mabe. Three flutes, a mandolin, guitar, banjo, a barum and wooden spoons combined to make a wonderful sound in a garden with a fine view of the Black Hill itself. Many thanks to Rhiannon for her hospitality and those who helped with the lunch. Subsequent sessions will be held at the Crown Inn, Longtown. For details of what instruments are played and the levels of ability please get in touch.
The following Sunday, singers from Black Hill Folk attended the St. Margaret’s Church, Family Harvest Festival, to sing the Guist Ploughman. With singing from the Children’s Choir and a good mixture of Harvest hymns from the congregation, a very musical morning was enjoyed by all.
We have also had two really good Folk Music Evenings at the Crown, Longtown, ( 3rd Tuesday of the month), the one on the 18th being attended by 21 singers and musicians. In a new departure several of us met up for a meal before the music started. By the time the first order was served there were nine of us dining together. It was agreed we would try to make this a regular option, possibly with a Folk Night Special being added for ordering in advance. More details will follow before our next session on October 16th.
We also had a different sort of Folk Music Evening at Newton Church Room on Tuesday September 11th. The evening started with the shock of the smoke alarm going off. Since there was no smoke to bring this about suspicion fell upon Bob’s Melodeon. Whatever the cause, tables had to be used to gain access to the stop button. With the result that to late comers it looked as though a meeting was being held. ‘Looks like a séance’, one was heard to remark. The tables did prove useful however since lyric sheets could be spread out and the appearance of the book, ‘101 Folk Songs for Buskers’ triggered an evening of singing down memory lane and generally ‘Goofing Around’. A most enjoyable evening was the verdict.
Finally, a small number attended the Black Hill Folk singing practice the following Tuesday at the same venue. Bob led the session very effectively by returning to our regular repertoire for general improvement in unison singing. Starting together and keeping time were emphasised and notes were taken so that all those attending next time will know where we have got to. For details of Black Hill Folk sessions ring John Biggs on 01981510629
Other Events: several supporters took part in the Craswall Fringe concert at Craswall Church where folk song was well represented among a variety of acts.
Judy Mabe took part in the singing Flash Mob for hEnergy in High Town, Hereford on 22nd September when 128 people gathered outside the Butter Market to entertain a large crowd with their harmony singing.
Finally, Judy and Bob attended the music workshop at the Globe, Hay-on-Wye on Saturday 29th. A report will appear next month.
Future Events
Abergavenny Scottish Country Dancers Wednesday Evenings 7.30 - 9.15 started on 19th Sept. For details ring 01873 850847
Saturday 6th October THE VILLAGE QUIRE will be performing their programme High Days And Holidays On the Welsh Marches with reader Phil Smith 7.30 p.m. at ST JAMES' CHURCH, LLANGUA (just on the Welsh side of the Monnow Bridge near Pontrilas). Tickets £10.00, to include a glass of wine during the interval. Further details and tickets from Eric Locke, 01981 241084. For full details of this and other Village Quire events visit http://www.villagequire.org.uk/gigs.php
Monday 8th October: ‘House Concert Abergavenny’. starting at around 7.30 pm.
Saskia Tomkins and Brandon Scott Besharah (www.2ish.net) are on tour. They play a range of instruments which include violin, nyckelharpa, guitar and hurdy gurdy and one description of their music is “heavy wood”.
If you are new to the idea of a house concert, it is a social evening where the focus is a concert. People come prepared to make a “donation” (all proceeds will go to the performers) of around £10.00 per each. You can put in more or less per head as you choose as this isn’t as formal ‘proper’ concert and we’ll provide the space, a range of chairs and some light refreshments (to include a glass of wine or soft drinks). Saskia and Brandon will no doubt have some CDs for sale.
Saturday 13th October: The Lock in Dance Show in Brecon, Theatr Brycheinioga, Brecon.
Billed as English Folk’s answer to Riverdance this show is coming to Brecon early in its long National Tour so now is your opportunity to see where modern folk dance is going. For tour dates click http://www.thelockindanceshow.co.uk/tour-dates
October 16th: Folk at the Crown Inn, Longtown. Starts from 8pm onwards but why not come early for a meal. Look out for the Folk Night Special from the Specials Board. Details to follow.
Saturday 20th October at 7.30 pm: Rapsquillian: A concert at St Margaret's Church in aid of church funds. Featuring this well known Shropshire based folk singing group performing songs from many lands, some with a harvest theme. They have had a busy summer on the festival circuit and we are fortunate to have them with us on this date. Tickets: £8
During the afternoon before the concert they will be holding a SINGING WORKSHOP from 2.30 pm in the School Room at Upper Maescoed Methodist Chapel which will be open to all. Tickets: £3
If you intend staying on after the Workshop to attend the Concert at 7.30 there will be a light supper available. There will be no charge but a donation would be much appreciated.
Please ring 01981 510629 to reserve tickets, book supper or for further details.
Tuesday 23 October, 7.30pm: Maddy Prior, Giles Lewin and Hannah James A grouping which in its pedigree includes Steeleye Span, The Carnival Band, After Hours, Kerfuffle, Demon Barbers and Hannah James and Sam Sweeney. A folk song and music evening with clogs on! £16 / £15 www.ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk Box Office 01584 878141
Wanted and For Sale: e-mail us, and we’ll put you in touch
Wanted: Affordable Hard Case for a student’s dreadnought acoustic guitar
For Sale: Old, fully restored 4/4 violin complete with a new bow and hard case. Available for inspection in Longtown
For sale: unpadded guitar bag suitable for up to dreadnought size. £8. It keeps the dust off! Likewise a 5 String Banjo bag, £5.
Showing posts with label Folk Sessions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Folk Sessions. Show all posts
Thursday, 4 October 2012
Tuesday, 7 August 2012
FolkWorkshops August Newsletter
We get together to sing folk songs & play instruments in a tolerant & relaxed atmosphere of mutual encouragement and support.
Stop Press: Earth Oven Building 8th to 10th of August at Trewern Outdoor Centre.
It has been a rather odd ‘summer’ both as to strange weather, never ending sporting and Jubilee events and various missing or flooded out Folk Festivals. We are now planning for autumn and beyond and thinking of what musical activities could be undertaken. As well as the usual sessions and practices it is hoped to organise some special events but individuals who have ideas for sessions should not be slow in coming forward. Prime movers always welcome.
As far as teaching yourself something musical the Internet provides incredible resources to those who want to develop their skills. A quick look at Amazon’s book holdings is a good example. We recently did searches for books on Learning to Sing, Learning to play Slide Guitar, and various other topics and were spoilt for choice. At least with the books on singing you already have your instrument! So if you have any musical ambitions now is the time to start planning what you want to do when the dark evenings return. In our household both the English Concertina and the Anglo Concertina are currently being learnt. We both fear that the slimness of each tutor book does not indicate ease of learning. Things are a bit noisy at times.
We are always interested to hear from others trying to learn a folk instrument or from those who teach an instrument or are singing teachers. We already have a small network of contacts with about 8 people learning. More details of those offering to teach would be most welcome. Should you be such a person please get in touch stating your terms and we will add you to our growing list of contacts.
FolkWorkshops is a network of people who want to enjoy folk music in its various forms and the internet makes possible the achievement of its full potential. It is therefore very pleasing that our twitter feed, @FolkWorkshops, is approaching 100 followers, that the FolkWorkshops Mailing List continues to grow steadily and that regular visits to Folk Music blogs continue within an overall page viewing rate of over 500 last month. Submissions for publication are always welcome.
So now is the time to make your autumn and winter plans. Here are some if the many activities which are currently on offer more locally:
Folk Evenings at the Crown Inn, Longtown: 3rd Tuesday of the month from 8.pm. All singers and musicians will be made very welcome at this sing around session. The next meet is Tuesday 21st August
Folk Sessions at Newton Church Room and Upper Maes Coed Chapel Room: Next session at Newton Church Room, Tuesday 14th August 8.00 p.m.
Harp Songs at the Harp, Glasbury on Wye, sing around sessions are held on the 3rd Saturday of each month. That means that this month it will be on Saturday 18th August, starting at about 8.30 p.m. All singers and instrumentalists welcome.
STOP PRESS: EXTRA HARP EVENT: SATURDAY 11th AUGUST Three young players from the Basque country will be performing their special brand of fiery music, with some interesting and unusual instruments on show. They were appearing at a small festival near Merthyr Tydfil a few weeks ago and had such a good time they came back. Phil says, ‘I've seen them twice now and been left breathless each time!’
There will also be support from a group of Welsh musicians. Please bring a supporting donation.
Black Hill Folk Singers: Our next get together will be at the Folk Session Newton Church Room, Tuesday 14th August 8.00 p.m. All welcome.
Foxwhelp Morris ended their summer tour round the pubs of Herefordshire by returning to their base at The Yew Tree, Preston on Wye, on Tuesday 24th. It was a most enjoyable evening in this traditional country pub made all the more enjoyable by some excellent well kept real ale and complimentary roasted potato and sausage snacks from the landlord. With many thanks to the landlord.
Regular practice evenings are held on Tuesday evenings in Moccas so the Yew Tree is almost their local. If you have any interest in taking up the activity or have an interest in Morris tunes check them out on Google.
The Black Hill Tune Club meets on the first Thursday of the month. The next meeting will be at Rhiannon and Simon Taylor’s house near Longtown on Thursday 6, September at the earlier time of 11.30. (Light lunch provided £3. Wine £1.50)
Subsequent Thursday meetings will be at The Crown, Longtown 2-4pm. To get in touch leave your contact details in the Comments box. These will be passed on and not published.
Clera Traditional Welsh Tune Workshops at The Globe Theatre, Hay on Wye
£7.50 (Student £5, Family £12)
Tutors:
Donald Stewart plays guitar, banjo, mandolin and whistle. Class for less experienced players
Bernard Kilbride, fiddle player. Class for more experienced melody players
Further details on www.sesiwn.com; pleasetelephone 029 20628300 for a booking form
£7.50 (Student £5 and Family £12)
1.30pm Registration
2.00pm - 4.30pm Workshops
5.30pm - 6.30 Whole Group Session
7.00pm Evening Session in the Globe Theatre main bar
FOLK WORKSHOP CONCERT FOR ST MARGARET'S CHURCH and SINGING WORKSHOP to be given by RAPSQUILLIAN
On the evening of SATURDAY OCTOBER 20TH we shall be holding a concert in St Margaret's Church which will feature the well known Shropshire based folk singing group, 'RAPSQUILLION'. Seven singers and instrumentalists will perform songs from many lands loosely based around the theme of harvest. They will have had a busy summer on the music festival circuit and we are indeed fortunate to have them with us on this date.
All proceeds will go towards the proposed improvements to facilities at St Margaret's Church.
During the afternoon before the concert they have agreed to hold a SINGING WORKSHOP in the School Room at Upper Maescoed Methodist Chapel which will be open to all.
Further details of times and charges of both of these events will appear in the September FolkWorkshops Newsletter. If however you want to reserve tickets in advance please leave contact details in Comments box.These will not be published.
Hope to see you at some of the above. In the meantime we hope to make a leisurely trip down south to do some folk music things.
Hoping for an Indian summer,
John and Jane Baxter
Stop Press: Earth Oven Building 8th to 10th of August at Trewern Outdoor Centre.
It has been a rather odd ‘summer’ both as to strange weather, never ending sporting and Jubilee events and various missing or flooded out Folk Festivals. We are now planning for autumn and beyond and thinking of what musical activities could be undertaken. As well as the usual sessions and practices it is hoped to organise some special events but individuals who have ideas for sessions should not be slow in coming forward. Prime movers always welcome.
As far as teaching yourself something musical the Internet provides incredible resources to those who want to develop their skills. A quick look at Amazon’s book holdings is a good example. We recently did searches for books on Learning to Sing, Learning to play Slide Guitar, and various other topics and were spoilt for choice. At least with the books on singing you already have your instrument! So if you have any musical ambitions now is the time to start planning what you want to do when the dark evenings return. In our household both the English Concertina and the Anglo Concertina are currently being learnt. We both fear that the slimness of each tutor book does not indicate ease of learning. Things are a bit noisy at times.
We are always interested to hear from others trying to learn a folk instrument or from those who teach an instrument or are singing teachers. We already have a small network of contacts with about 8 people learning. More details of those offering to teach would be most welcome. Should you be such a person please get in touch stating your terms and we will add you to our growing list of contacts.
FolkWorkshops is a network of people who want to enjoy folk music in its various forms and the internet makes possible the achievement of its full potential. It is therefore very pleasing that our twitter feed, @FolkWorkshops, is approaching 100 followers, that the FolkWorkshops Mailing List continues to grow steadily and that regular visits to Folk Music blogs continue within an overall page viewing rate of over 500 last month. Submissions for publication are always welcome.
So now is the time to make your autumn and winter plans. Here are some if the many activities which are currently on offer more locally:
Folk Evenings at the Crown Inn, Longtown: 3rd Tuesday of the month from 8.pm. All singers and musicians will be made very welcome at this sing around session. The next meet is Tuesday 21st August
Folk Sessions at Newton Church Room and Upper Maes Coed Chapel Room: Next session at Newton Church Room, Tuesday 14th August 8.00 p.m.
Harp Songs at the Harp, Glasbury on Wye, sing around sessions are held on the 3rd Saturday of each month. That means that this month it will be on Saturday 18th August, starting at about 8.30 p.m. All singers and instrumentalists welcome.
STOP PRESS: EXTRA HARP EVENT: SATURDAY 11th AUGUST Three young players from the Basque country will be performing their special brand of fiery music, with some interesting and unusual instruments on show. They were appearing at a small festival near Merthyr Tydfil a few weeks ago and had such a good time they came back. Phil says, ‘I've seen them twice now and been left breathless each time!’
There will also be support from a group of Welsh musicians. Please bring a supporting donation.
Black Hill Folk Singers: Our next get together will be at the Folk Session Newton Church Room, Tuesday 14th August 8.00 p.m. All welcome.
Foxwhelp Morris ended their summer tour round the pubs of Herefordshire by returning to their base at The Yew Tree, Preston on Wye, on Tuesday 24th. It was a most enjoyable evening in this traditional country pub made all the more enjoyable by some excellent well kept real ale and complimentary roasted potato and sausage snacks from the landlord. With many thanks to the landlord.
Regular practice evenings are held on Tuesday evenings in Moccas so the Yew Tree is almost their local. If you have any interest in taking up the activity or have an interest in Morris tunes check them out on Google.
The Black Hill Tune Club meets on the first Thursday of the month. The next meeting will be at Rhiannon and Simon Taylor’s house near Longtown on Thursday 6, September at the earlier time of 11.30. (Light lunch provided £3. Wine £1.50)
Subsequent Thursday meetings will be at The Crown, Longtown 2-4pm. To get in touch leave your contact details in the Comments box. These will be passed on and not published.
Clera Traditional Welsh Tune Workshops at The Globe Theatre, Hay on Wye
£7.50 (Student £5, Family £12)
Tutors:
Donald Stewart plays guitar, banjo, mandolin and whistle. Class for less experienced players
Bernard Kilbride, fiddle player. Class for more experienced melody players
Further details on www.sesiwn.com; pleasetelephone 029 20628300 for a booking form
£7.50 (Student £5 and Family £12)
1.30pm Registration
2.00pm - 4.30pm Workshops
5.30pm - 6.30 Whole Group Session
7.00pm Evening Session in the Globe Theatre main bar
FOLK WORKSHOP CONCERT FOR ST MARGARET'S CHURCH and SINGING WORKSHOP to be given by RAPSQUILLIAN
On the evening of SATURDAY OCTOBER 20TH we shall be holding a concert in St Margaret's Church which will feature the well known Shropshire based folk singing group, 'RAPSQUILLION'. Seven singers and instrumentalists will perform songs from many lands loosely based around the theme of harvest. They will have had a busy summer on the music festival circuit and we are indeed fortunate to have them with us on this date.
All proceeds will go towards the proposed improvements to facilities at St Margaret's Church.
During the afternoon before the concert they have agreed to hold a SINGING WORKSHOP in the School Room at Upper Maescoed Methodist Chapel which will be open to all.
Further details of times and charges of both of these events will appear in the September FolkWorkshops Newsletter. If however you want to reserve tickets in advance please leave contact details in Comments box.These will not be published.
Hope to see you at some of the above. In the meantime we hope to make a leisurely trip down south to do some folk music things.
Hoping for an Indian summer,
John and Jane Baxter
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