Sampler Days
Play by ear and develop your creativity
Learn from inspiring professional musicians
Explore folk music
Find out about the National Youth Folk Ensemble
We’re runing Youth Folk Sampler Days across England in May half-term.
Sampler Days are free, but you need to book in advance.
To register for a Sampler Day you will need to:
- be aged 12–18
- live in England
- be able to play confidently on your chosen instrument
Each Sampler Day features:
- music workshops with highly skilled professional folk artists
- Q&A with Ensemble staff
- optional short audition, if you wish to apply for the National Youth Folk Ensemble (please note the auditions are for people who are 14–18 on 1 September 2020)
Sampler Days are open to players of any instrument. No experience of folk music necessary. All playing and learning will be done by ear.
Places are free, but numbers are limited.
Reserve yours now!
Saturday 23 May
Chesterfield Studios, Chesterfield
11am–4pm
Sunday 24 May
Sage Gateshead
11am–4pm
Monday 25 May
National Centre for Early Music
11am–4pm
Tuesday 26 May
The Stables, Milton Keynes
11am–4pm
Thursday 28 May
Lancashire Conservation Studios, Preston
11am–4pm
Friday 29 May
Saffron Hall, Saffron Walden
11am–4pm
Saturday 30 May
Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford on Avon
11am–4pm
Sunday 31 May
Ashford School, Ashford
11am–4pm
I absolutely loved this experience and it was very empowering playing with others, playing traditional English tunes but making them our own
If you’re interested in joining the National Youth Folk Ensemble, you’ll need to attend a Sampler Day to start the audition process. Find out more
Sampler Days have previously taken place in Bristol, Birmingham, Basingstoke, Cambridge, Derby, Didcot, Durham, Exeter, Gateshead, Leeds, Liskeard, London, Manchester, Okehampton, Sheffield, Southampton and York.
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