Photo: Roswitha Chesher

Creative courses of fabulous folk music-making

“I liked that it was all about folk music for young people because there is nothing else like that anywhere!” Previous participant

“Good music, good feeling, good playing” Previous participant

Building on the successful holiday projects held in 2012 (funded by Youth Music), we recently ran another Get Your Folk On! over February half term 2013! It ran over three days between 20-22 February, and was for young people aged 12-18 years, with varied levels of musical experience, from improvers to advanced players.  Players of any instrument were welcome and the course was led by EFDSS Associate Artist Laurel Swift and a friendly team of expert folk musicians and tutors.

The course was based on folk and traditional music from the British Isles and beyond, with learning done mainly by ear. It looked at developing skills specific to folk music including improvisational skills, ornamentation and arrangement ideas. Each day participants took part in a folk ensemble session, with group options that included song, clog dance, playing folk style, repertoire, duos and trios and penny whistle.

The project ended with an informal concert of music, song and dance learnt and created during the course to which friends and family were invited! Please see the video below for an example of a previous Get Your Folk On! course.

How do I start?

If you are interested in future youth music courses or would like to be put on our youth contact list please contact Nina/Jenny (Education Administrators) on education@efdss.org or 020 7241 8953.