When will Cecil Sharp House re-open?
Covid-19 Statement
We are continuing a phased return to face-to-face teaching and expect that all of the advertised sessions will take place in person at Cecil Sharp House from September 2021. If for public health reasons we are unable to run classes in person, we intend to move sessions online using the Zoom-based model which we have been refining since the start of the pandemic.
We are a COVID-19 Secure venue. For more information, please visit our Covid Secure webpage.
Can I book a concessionary rate ticket?
Concessionary rate tickets can be booked online in the same way as full price tickets. Adult learning concessionary rates are available for people: in full-time education; in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance; or an income-based benefit. You will need to provide evidence of eligibility before your attendance at the class or course by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
For more information, please visit our Terms & Conditions
Saturday Folk Music Workshops
How can I return/hire an instrument?
From Autumn 2021, you will be able to hire a banjo, accordion or melodeon from us (subject to availability) for a modest fee, plus a returnable deposit. See the relevant instrument page for details.
If you hire one of our instruments in the Autumn term and plan to re-enrol for the Spring term too and would like to keep hold of them, we are happy to approve this upon payment for the term and the term’s instrument hire.
Please note that all instruments will need to be returned at the end of the Spring term for audit and maintenance purposes.
I’m not sure what level class I should join?
Please refer to the class level descriptions outlined on the relevant webpage. You can access these from the main Saturday Folk Music Workshops page.
If, after reading the level descriptions, you are still unsure of which level to opt for, please book onto the class you feel most comfortable trying. We are always happy to move you up or down a level if you feel the one you’re in is not quite right.
What kind of instrument do I need?
Please refer to the descriptions outlined on the relevant webpage.You can access these from the main Saturday Folk Music Workshops page
Am I able to attend a taster session before booking onto one of your classes?
We don’t offer taster sessions for any of our classes. However, if you enrol on a Saturday Folk Music Workshops course but decide after the first session but before the second class that it is not right for you, you can either:
- transfer your booking to another instrument. This depends on availability; if the course of your choice is full then we can reserve a place for you on the following term.
- or have the course fees refunded to you minus a charge of £15 to cover the cost of your attendance (as long as you contact us before the second class of term).
Read more about Terms and Conditions
I've missed the start of term. Can I still book on and will my fee be adjusted accordingly?
Saturday Folk Music Workshops are popular and often become fully booked before the start of term. However, if spaces are still available, we do allow participants to book on up to the third session of term. The full term's fee is applicable; we do not pro-rata the class fee.
Singing and Choirs
What is the difference between the Cecil Sharp House Choir, Monday Folk Choir Workshops and Song class?
Cecil Sharp House Choir is for confident singers over the age of 16 who are able to hold a tune, willing to memorise song lyrics and vocal parts, and keen to perform. There’s no need to read music as all songs are taught by ear and performed from memory. Cecil Sharp House Choir is very popular, but we no longer operate a waiting list for joining the Choir. Bookings are available on a first come first served basis
Monday Folk Singers is an online course for adult singers over the age of 16 and for all abilities, without the pressure and commitment of public performance. All material is taught by ear. Sessions are friendly and relaxed and participants are encouraged to find their voice without judgement or intimidation! You will learn songs from our tutors’ extensive repertoires as well as harmonies that you can sing with others, but focus will be less on multipart arrangements and more on developing as folk singers (at any level) in a supportive environment. You will get to listen to different interpretations of songs, see examples from archives and field recordings and learn about the tutors’ approach to their singing and folk songs.
Song class (run as part of the Saturday Folk Music Workshops) is for a maximum of 25 participants and is for people who have a general interest in learning traditional folk repertoire. This class will accommodate a variety of levels but people should be of a reasonable standard as although technique is touched upon, the class largely focuses on repertoire and style. Songs are learnt by ear without musical notation and field recordings are often used for source material. No prior knowledge of folk song is required.
Do you offer drop in sessions?
All of our instrumental and song classes require a termly commitment. One-off or drop in sessions are not available.
Do you offer taster/observation sessions?
We don’t currently offer taster/observation sessions for any of our adult classes and courses.
Dance
When will dance classes start again?
Autumn term 2021 bookings are now open for joining English Country Dancing! Please visit the webpage for further information.
We are working towards restarting Morris Dance classes as soon as we can.
Bookings
How can I make sure I don't miss out on events and am made aware of when bookings open for the next term?
Bookings normally open 6-8 weeks before the start of each term. Information can be found on the individual webpages within Learning or in the What's On section of the website.
A good way to ensure you don't miss out, is to subscribe to our newsletter!
Resources
I’m looking for some free educational resources, can you help?
We have many free, downloadable materials resources, suitable for use in both formal and informal settings, in our Resource Bank.
General Updates
Please read about how we're adapting and finding alternative ways to present our programme by reading the updated news.
We continue to celebrate English Folk online – please look out for updates on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.
