We want to find out whether people involved in this sector feel that creating a national youth folk music ensemble would be positive for the genre.
The consultation is being facilitated by Sound Connections, on behalf of EFDSS.
Have your say
The online survey is open to everyone interested in completing it. We warmly welcome and encourage all adults and young people involved in, or interested in, folk music for, with and by young people - in any context - to take part and express their views.
The consultation will take the form of:
- this online survey – which opened on 29 November 2013 and closes 6 January 2014
- follow up with a sample of individuals who have completed the survey
- the production of a final summary report that will be shared with respondents and the wider music education sector
The outcome of the consultation will inform further planning and development.
Further information
Very few parameters have been set or assumptions made about the nature of a potential national folk music ensemble to frame the consultation. There is no fixed view of the outcome or how it would be delivered.
However, broadly, we are probably talking about an ensemble that:
- takes players from across England
- focuses mainly on instrumental music
- has a significant focus on English traditional folk music - but also includes folk music from the wider British Isles and beyond, and includes newly composed music drawing from the tradition
- aims to complement and build on existing youth folk music provision
- is very likely to be structured to include some kind of outreach programme to help foster the growth of local and regional youth folk music ensembles, courses etc particularly where there is currently little provision
- may include more than one ensemble or group (perhaps catering for different musical levels? Age groups?) that work together in different ways
Take part in our online survey now
Our youth folk music programme
EFDSS is committed to providing opportunities for young people to learn and get inspired about folk music, dance and song. Working in partnership with arts organisations, schools, music services, junior conservatoires and dance agencies, we aim to reach a broad range of young people in different formal and informal learning settings. We run a variety of engaging youth projects, both at Cecil Sharp House and further afield. See below for details of current and recent projects. Find out more
Current projects
Get Your Folk On!
Youth folk music holiday courses for young people aged 12 -18 at Cecil Sharp House. Find out more
London Youth Folk Ensemble
Launched in autumn 2013, welcoming young musicians 12 - 18 years old who want to create and perform folk music together. Find out more
Living Song
Folk song and composition project, devised and delivered in partnership with the Royal College of Music Junior Department. Find out more
Centre for Young Musicians Folk Ensembles
Weekly folk ensemble sessions for young people. Find out more
