Royal College of Music Museum, Prince Consort Road, SW7 2BS
Runs until 25 October
Free entry
We are proud to be a partner of the Royal College of Music Museum's exhibition Shared Airs: Our Thriving Folk Musics
EFDSS, and the VWML in particular, have been involved as curatorial consultants in the exhibition, curated by Jennifer Brian, which explores the co-creation of musical culture within the rich folk music traditions of the British Isles. Vibrant and inviting, it interweaves the stories of people and instruments, delving into the diversity of contemporary folk music and dance across these isles. It asks the question, why and how does folk music foster the preservation of culture while continuing to evolve, thrive and resonate today?
The exhibition explores the places that folk inhabits, and examines how regions maintain their unique identities within the national, intersecting with thriving scenes in different settings. Exhibits include both new and old instruments which show how preservation and practice interweave, and costumes which show how morris sides have developed contemporary identities while preserving various traditions. The RCM also borrowed from the VWML various song books and collections which demonstrate how musicians use archival material to honour traditions while fostering preservation, reinvigoration and revitalisation.
The short film A Basket Full of Eggs is also on a loop in the gallery, and a special screening was hosted with an introduction by project lead Professor Hazel Marsh (University of East Anglia) and director/producer Lisa Smith (Patrin Films), and then a Q&A with the addition of Tiffany Hore (VWML) and Esbjörn Wettermark (University of Sheffield).
EFDSS supported the RCM in the creation of a programme of events to accompany the exhibition, in particular the Family Folk Dancing on 23 July, inspired by our regular Family Barn Dances; and Morris Dancing Fun on 28 July. If you like that you can sign up for a term of Morris Dancing classes at Cecil Sharp House on Tuesday evenings.
Shared Airs: Our Thriving Folk Musics is free and at the Royal College of Music Museum until 25 October.
Open Tuesday–Friday, 10.15am-5.45pm and Saturday–Sunday, 11am-6pm.
Find out more about the exhibition
Main image by Ellen Seidell. Photographs by Tiffany Hore for EFDSS
