Folk and Roots presents 'Monday Monday', a night of the best of the folk and roots scene which will be held on the first Monday of the month in central London as from October 2009. See 
Please find below a list of venues offering folk related workshops and courses, drop us a note if you want your events included or know of any not listed...
Mongolian Overtone Singing Evening Classes - Feb, March, London
'Retreat to the Harp' Weekend in East Sussex with Keziah Thomas and Hannah Phillips - July 2012
Euroblues Promotions Limited Acoustic Blues Weekend - Bromsgrove Friday-Sunday 2nd - 4th March
Music for You Summer School - New Folk Course, Bridgwater, Somerset August 2012
Traditional Music Workshop with Karen Tweed - 6th November, Birmingham
Traditional Song Workshop with James Fagan - 2nd October, Birmingham
Benslow Music - Fiddle and Folk Music Courses, Hertfordshire
Young Musicians workshop, Weymouth, Dorset 18th September
Traditional Music classes every Monday, Ealing, West London
Courses at The Rural Study Centre, Minsterley, Shropshire 2011
Bodhran Making Workshops, Norfolk, May, August, September
The Historically Informed Summer School, Whitby 15-19th August
MORE Folkworks Summer Schools, Durham, August
Klezmer Workshops - Salford, Gtr Manchester
Absolute beginner piano-accordian and absolute beginner melodeon classes - Newcastle Upon Tyne
Music for all Learner Folk Session, Lancashire
Lancashire Folk Workshops, Lancashire
Folk Music Workshops at The Mick Jagger Centre, Dartford, Kent
Come and Join the Band, Ipswich, Suffolk
Lewes Arms Folk Club Workshops 2010 - Sussex
Tuition and Workshops across Yorkshire
Mongolian Overtone Singing Evening Classes led by Michael Ormiston.
7-9pm Wednesday 8th/Thursday 16th/Wednesday 22nd/29th February and Wednesday 7th/14th March 2012.
In the Kensington High St Area, Central West London. Cost for all six evening classes £100, contact ormi_khoomii@yahoo.com, 020 8558 6982 www.soundtransformations.co.uk
Sara Grey
Workshop and Concert
Saturday 28th January, 2012
Carlops Village Hall
Carlops, Scottish Borders
EH26 9NF
Workshop 2pm to 5pm
Cost £25.00
Tracing the Migration of songs between Scotland and Ireland and North America
Scots and Ulster Scots have emigrated in such numbers that no other European Nation has ever lost such a high proportion of its people. In the early days these were men and women who left behind them a homeland rich in oral tradition of song and ballad singing; an inheritance which they carried with them wherever they went. I will trace the migration of songs from Northern Ireland and Scotland to North America by Singing a song ,or part of it from its Celtic source and then singing the American or Canadian version showing the changes and the similarities. The workshop will be as interactive and informal as possible encouraging participants to sing on choruses and refrains and to ask relevant questions.
Please contact Jay or Carol Cook asap if you would like to book a place on the workshop. 01968661861 westbrook702@virginmedia.com
July 6th-8th: 'Retreat to the Harp' Weekend in East Sussex with Keziah Thomas and Hannah Phillips
Retreat to the Harp is a weekend of tuition for pedal and lever harpists of all ages and abilities lead by lively and experienced harpists Keziah Thomas (Concert Harp) and Hannah Phillips (Clarsach). This weekend offers a chance for beginners to advanced harpists to work on many aspects of playing in a relaxed and encouraging environment. They will cover technique, improvising, arranging, ensemble work and performance. The main focus will be group work studying music from both classical and folk traditions. In addition there will be a concert by Hannah and Keziah, a musical party and a Yoga session.
There will also be opportunities for walks in the South Downs or individual harp lessons. For further information visit: http://www.keziah.co.uk/retreat-to-the-harp.html
Friday-Sunday 2nd - 4th March
EUROBLUES PROMOTIONS LIMITED ACOUSTIC BLUES WEEKEND
£135 (£125) weekend; Saturday £80 (£75 conc) and includes evening concert followed by the late night jam; Sunday £65 (£60).
Classes are for all levels and start on Friday from 1pm to 5pm followed by an evening jam session from 8pm to midnight for participants only. On Saturday, classes run from 10am to 5pm followed by a public staff concert at 8pm. Sunday, classes will run from 10am to 4pm.
John Miller (country blues guitar) will teach beginning to advanced chord progressions, demonstrate how to 'learn by ear' and to create your own country blues arrangements; Sonny Black (bottleneck slide guitar) will have a close look at Open D tuning and explore the use of chords and slide techniques; Eddie Martin (harmonica) will work through a course book, on basic techniques (bending and trill) to more advanced techniques (tongue block) using jams and set pieces.
www.euroblues.co.uk
Music for You Summer Schools is introducing a new folk course that will take place from 13th – 15th August 2012.
The course will be located at Cannington, near Bridgwater in Somerset. Stewart Hardy, Jo Freya and others to be announced soon will be tutors on the course. We are an established summer school that is now in its sixteenth year. Needless to say, we are very excited to be able to start offering musicians a folk course.
www.musicforyousummerschools.co.uk for details.
Sunday 2nd October 11:00am - 5:00pm
Moseley Dance Studio, 132 Alcester Road, Birmingham B13 8EE
A day workshop open to all singers to come and learn some folk songs - whether they are already steeped in the tradition or new to it.
James has a rich, tuneful voice and an interest in all sorts of songs from traditional ballads to contemporary writing. He is well-known as an inspiring workshop leader and is currently a singing teacher on the Newcastle Folk Degree Course. He enjoys working with singers of all ages and abilities and has a natural flair for communicating his skills and knowledge in a very accessible, enjoyable way.
Tickets £20 - for more info call 0121 247 3856 or see website
http://www.tradartsteam.co.uk
Sunday 6th November 11:00am - 5:00pm
Moseley Dance Studio, 132 Alcester Road, Birmingham B13 8EE
Last year we enjoyed a great day of music with Karen Tweed. We've invited her back and are looking forward to another fun experience.
Karen loves working with mixed instrumental groups in workshops to produce and encourage ideas that take simple melodies into unusual and innovative arrangements, while gently nurturing musicians to try dynamic ideas and ultimately feel confident to create their own wonderful arrangements. Exploring melodies from Europe and the British Isles, this workshop is open to all instruments and intermediate standard and above. Notation of the main themes can be provided in advance.
Tickets £20 - for more info call 0121 247 3856 or see website
http://www.tradartsteam.co.uk
Benslow Music - Fiddle and Folk Music Courses
FIDDLE MUSIC OF THE FOUR NATIONS
14 – 16 October 2011
Pete Cooper’s course is dedicated to introducing fiddlers to the wonderful
repertoire of traditional airs and dance tunes of the four home nations. You don’t
need previous experience of folk fiddling, but you do need to be of at least
intermediate standard and to be game for the challenge of learning a range of jigs, reels, hornpipes, strasthspeys and so on by ear. Pete will also teach you how to bow and finger them in the traditional way and will give you legal copies of thewritten notes to take away at the end of the course.
Residential from £215 / non residential £175
FOLK FIDDLING BY EAR
13 – 16 Feb 2012
Pete Cooper’s course is dedicated to introducing fiddlers to a wonderful repertoire
of traditional airs and dance tunes. You don’t need previous experience of folk
fiddling, but you do need to be of at least intermediate standard and to be game
for the challenge of learning a range of jigs, reels, hornpipes, strasthpeys and so
on by ear. Pete will also teach you how to bow and finger them in the traditional
way and will even give you legal copies of the written notes to take away at the
end of the course.
Residential from £265 / non res £205
IRISH FOLK WEEK
26 29 Mar 2012
A new multi-disciplinary course for fiddlers, drummers and other folk
instrumentalists, for dancers experienced and not, and for singers, which we hope
will include everyone at one time or another. We’ll learn a lot, but actually it’s also
an excuse to have a jolly good time in the traditional Irish way. Please call us nearer
the time for more details.
Residential from £265 / non res £205
Venue: Benslow Music, Benslow Hills, Hitchin, Hertfordshire. SG4 9RB.
Tel: 01462 459446 Web: www.benslowmusic.org Email: info@benslowmusic.org
Sun 18th Sept 11am – 3pm
The Old Town Hall, High St, Weymouth, DT4 8JH
With the opportunity to play for junior Morris dance sides at the Dinosaurs Not Allowed showcase in Weymouth on Sat 24th September 2011 as part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad
All portable acoustic instruments welcome. Ability to sight read simple music or learn by ear needed.
There is no cost for the workshop but advance booking required for numbers. Age guideline 12-25 years.
Please bring a packed lunch.
To book your place or for more information please contact Kim on 0117 940-1566 email greatcapermorris@aol.com
www.thegreatcaper.co.uk/dinosaurs.html
Laurel Swift teaches traditional music in The Drayton Court Hotel, 2 The Avenue, West Ealing, London, W13 8PH every Monday night term-time.
See ealingsessions.wordpress.com for details.
Bodhran making workshops, Norfolk
"Join legendary Bodhran maker 'Mog' this summer and make your own bespoke tunable frame drum over a long weekend deep in the beautiful Norfolk countryside."
Dates:
26th-30th May
25th-29th August
8th-12th September
Cost: £280 inclusive
Sneaton Castle, near Whitby
An opportunity for wonderful music making in a beautiful location, offering rewarding opportunities to explore early music and its relationship to folk & traditional music, plus the arts of improvisation and composition in the context of historically informed practice, with a range of expert tutors.
The course is open to singers and players of period and modern instruments from both traditional and classical backgrounds. Modern and period strings, woodwind, early brass and folk fiddles are all welcome. Pitch will be A=440 throughout. Start: teatime Monday 15 August (tea/coffee included); finish: after lunch 19 August (lunch included).
For further information and contact details go to http://hiss2011.weebly.com
MORE Folkworks Summer Schools, Durham
Folkworks Adult, Youth and Junior Summer Schools provide a unique opportunity for keen amateur musicians to work closely with some of the finest performers/tutors in the field of folk music, song and dance. These courses, which can be residential or non-residential, mix study with fun and relaxation - and the chance to make new friends.
Phoenix Folk, Newcastle Upon Tyne
After the Sage Gateshead scaled down its folk tuition activity last summer, a group of ex tutors and participants formed a new not for profit organisation to provide a range of folk instrumental and ensemble classes in Byker.
The classes are run by Phoenix Folk (who are Maurice Condie, Rachael Leisk and Chris Suddes) and operate from the somewhat quirky surroundings of the Eco Centre at the Ouseburn Farm in Byker. One unique feature is the presence of sheep, goats and piglets, which adds to the already warm and friendly feel that the venue offers. After a great response in the first two seasons, participants are already signing up for the Summer 2010 season, which starts on 21st April.
The Ouseburn Valley has been a cultural hot spot in Newcastle for many years. Chris said "We were delighted at the response from the folk community when we set up Phoenix and are looking forward to continuing and expanding the programme at the farm. It is a great building and we have some great tutors. After classes we usually have a session which provides a supportive and relaxed opportunity for people to play music together”. Rachael added “There seems to be a synergy between the farm as an environmental centre and our work in the cultural sense, and it's great that we have the opportunity to help keep the great tradition of music alive in Newcastle”. To find out more go to www.phoenixfolk.co.uk
Klezmer workshop every Thursday in the Snug at the Kings Arms, Bloom Street, Salford, M3 6NA. 7.45-9.15pm.
Bring your instrument/voice! £5
Contact Ros for more info on rosfish@o2.co.uk
Courses at The Rural Study Centre, Minsterley, Shropshire
Gleanings is situated on our 14 acre smallholding, set in the glorious South Shropshire Hills and has been designed to allow natural light to fill the building through the full height windows along the southerly side and on those chilly days the comforting log burner will warm you through. Courses at Gleanings are run in small, intimate groups, thus providing a relaxed, friendly atmosphere in which to soak up knowledge as well as giving everyone the opportunity to make new friends. They are based on country traditions and the natural world, including folk music, songwriting, birdwatching, wild flower studies, art, smallholding and farming, as well as country crafts and skills.
Sat. 16th - Sun. 17th July
Jim Crawford - Folk, Blues, Finger style & Slide Guitar
This course will dip into a wide range of guitar styles from my Folk & Blues repertoire. As well as giving you instruction in finger picking & slide techniques, I will help you demystify the use of open tunings!
We will look into understanding how simple chord forms can be used all over the finger board to produce beautiful sounding arrangements of instrumental pieces and song accompaniments. I will also give you advice on how to set up your instrument for "bottle neck" or "slide" playing to achieve the best action and tone. I've also had over 30 years experience singing for a living, so this could be another subject we could look into! Whether you're just starting out as a player or have been playing for some time, I'm sure there will be plenty here for you to enjoy.
Cost of Weekend: £120, includes home-cooked lunches, plus snacks and refreshments. Booking essential as numbers are limited
More info: www.jimcrawford.org.uk
www.myspace.com/jimcrawfordmusic
Fri. 22nd - Sun. 24th July
Paul Hutchinson - Accordion Workshop - "Bring Your Accordion Alive!"
Paul Hutchinson is passionate about English traditional music, in particular 17th and 18th century dance music and so for the last 15 years he has been busy collecting, adapting and interpreting these wonderful melodies for the accordion.
Paul is the resident accordion tutor at Cecil Sharp House in London (the home of the English Folk Dance and Song Society), runs regular courses at Halsway Manor in Somerset (Centre for English Traditional Music) as well as Folkworks Summer Schools, Hands On Weekends and at many folk festivals in the UK. He is renowned for his collaboration with Paul Sartin (Bellowhead) in the 2010 BBC Folk Awards nominated duo Belshazzar's Feast.
The weekend will be spent concentrating on improving left-hand techniques as well as exploring simple but effective methods to bring this music alive. The course will be aimed at players who are at intermediate level and above and the music will be supplied a month in advance. So if you want to play with a degree of subtlety and discover the diverse range of our musical heritage, please sign up!
Cost of Weekend: £130, includes Friday night buffet at 7pm plus home-cooked lunches, snacks and refreshments on Saturday and Sunday. Booking is essential as numbers are limited
More info:
www.wildgoose.co.uk/displayartist.asp?ARTIST_ID=35
www.belshazzarsfeast.co.uk/reviews.htm
Fri. 2nd - Sun. 4th September 2011
John Kirkpatrick - The Anglo Concertina - 'Adding Chords to Tunes and Songs'
This three day course is aimed at helping players of the Anglo concertina discover the full musical potential of their instrument. John will be looking at all the various technical aspects of playing, but will mostly be exploring what can be found in the way of chords and harmonies in the left hand to support melodies in the right hand. This is all very physical stuff, and teaching will be in terms of patterns and finger memory, rather than a more abstract intellectual approach. Although a broad grasp of the complexities of music will naturally grow out of the work involved, the ability to read musical notation is by no means essential, and may in fact be a hindrance!
The sessions will not be suitable for complete beginners, and as they are very specific to the instrument they will not be suitable for players of the other kinds of concertina either - the English or the Duet. And please note - the small twenty button Anglo will not be adequate for this course.You'll need an Anglo concertina with not less than thirty buttons, and ideally a keyboard chart of what all the buttons are. If you haven't got a chart, John will help you to knock one up, and, thus equipped, whether your interest is in beefing up your tune playing or adding floating parts to accompany your favourite song, Mr Kirkpatrick will be able to bring a lifetime's experience to bear and help you along the way.
In 2003 John was awarded the English Folk Dance and Song Society's Gold Badge for his outstanding contribution to English Folk Music and in 2010 he received the Musician of the Year at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.
Cost of Long Weekend: £130, includes small buffet on Friday night at 7pm, following afternoon course, plus home-cooked lunches, snacks and refreshments on Saturday and Sunday. Booking essential as numbers are limited.
More info: www.johnkirkpatrick.co.uk
Sat. 17th - Sun. 18th September 2011
Alistair Anderson on English Concertina & Northumbrian Pipes - Music of Northumberland and Beyond
Open to all melody instruments
An in depth opportunity to get to grips with the rich heritage of melodies and styles from Northumberland and the Scottish Borders (which of course have a wider cross over with repertoire from elsewhere in England than many a northerner may care to admit!)
We will look at over 300 years of tradition; from the early manuscript books of Henry Atkinson (1694) and William Vickers (1776), through the 19th Century Hornpipe Craze (led by James Hill), the tunes of the coalfields (from the Clough family to Gordon Cutty) and shepherd musicians (Billy Pigg, Joe Hutton, Will Atkinson and Willie Taylor), to the recent compositions of Kathryn Tickell, Matt Seatle and others, including, of course, Alistair himself.
As well as tunes, you will learn how to make the music come to life, how it fits the dances and energizes dancers.
You will have access to some older recordings and video and we may discuss the role that music and dance played in social life over the centuries and how it can continue to do so today.
Cost of Weekend: £130, which includes home-cooked lunches, snacks and refreshments on Saturday and Sunday. Booking essential as numbers are limited.
More info:
www.alistairanderson.com
www.rothbury-traditional-music.co.uk/alistair.asp
Sat. 15th October 2011
Beginners Melodeon with Rees Wesson
Rees is returning to Gleanings for the second year after his very successful workshop for Absolute Beginners Melodeon. He is follow this in 2011 with a Beginners Workshop and participants should bring a D/G melodeon, be able to play simple tunes and know their way around the main notes of the instrument.
The emphasis will be on learning by ear but written music can be provided if required.
Cost of Day: £50, this includes home-cooked lunch, refreshments and snacks. You are welcome to gather at Gleanings from 9.30am onwards for a drink and chat.
About Rees:
Rees learned to play the melodeon on the night shift in a cheese factory in Wales! Although passionate about English Country Music he has spent half a lifetime searching out melodeon music from all around the world. These global influences have been assimilated into a unique style which you can learn more about at his Melodeon Workshops at various venues around the UK... Hear him live, playing solo or with his dance crazy chums "Joe le Taxi and the Zydeco Band" or the exciting new Welsh band that is "Parti Gungrog". See the gig list for details.
Rees also sells new and used melodeons at www.melodeons.com and plays English Country Dance Music with "May Contain Nuts".
More info: www.myspace.com/reeswesson - www.melodeons.com
Sat. 22nd October 2011
Jim Mageean and The Keelers - Sea Shanties
The day should be full of fun and plenty of lusty singing. It will be divided into two workshops:
The morning will be based on the 'History and Usage of Sea Shanties' and then in the afternoon Jim and The Keelers will lead a workshop in 'Sea Shanties in Harmony'. Words and music will be provided.
Cost of Day: £60 and this includes home cooked lunch, plus snacks and refreshments - Booking essential as numbers are limited.
More info: www.keelers.net
Sat. 29th - Sun. 30th October 2011
POLLY BOLTON - THE MAGIC OF SONG
Take a trip through the wonderful world of harmony singing with Polly. Starting with basic harmonic intervals, we will learn how our emotional response when we both sing and listen to songs can be profoundly affected by the harmonies within it.
We will be learning a variety of songs from around the world and Polly's own compositions and maybe try out writing songs within group inprovisations, including layering songs, call and response, rounds, unison with drone songs and harmony songs.
Polly has sung and recorded folk and jazz since the 1960’s and for the last 12 years has been a Natural Voice Practitioner and led her community choir, Ludlow Larks. She is regarded as one of the country’s leading exponents of vocal ornamentation. Wear loose fitting comfy clothes and shoes!
Cost of Weekend: £120, which includes home-cooked lunches, snacks and refreshments
Absolute beginner piano-accordian and absolute beginner melodeon classes - Byker, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne And Wear
NEW - Absolute Beginners Piano Accordion with Tina Cook.
Wednesday evenings from 1900 to 2010:
November 11th and 25th 2009 and Jan 20th and Feb 3rd 2010
£3 per class. Please enrol for at least two of the classes.
We can even lend you an instrument for these classes if you tell us you need one.
NEW - Absolute Beginners Melodian with Theo Gibb.
Wednesday evenings from 1900 to 2010:
February 10th, 17th and 24th 2010.
The cost will be £20 for the series of 3 classes including instrument hire or £11 if you bring your own
www.phoenix.co.uk for more details.
The Hibernia Centre, Bristol
Hold Classes in traditional Irish music and dance, Saturday mornings throughout the year
Workshop dates for 2011 further detail http://www.jsarts.co.uk
Sept 19 - 24 Fiddle (Stewart Hardy)
March 4 - 6 Melodeon weekend (Issy Emeney)
March 27 – April 1st Fiddle Week long course (Stewart Hardy)
June 3 - 5 Accordeon Weekend (David Oliver)
June 10-12 Fiddle Weekend (Stewart Hardy)
Sept 18-23 Fiddle Week long course (Stewart Hardy)
Diary for 2011 starting to appear on the web page
All tea breaks, meals, accomodation, tuition, and materials etc are provided on all our courses, which take place at The Archway, Grantham. Phone 07713760266 or email jsarts09@gmail.com for further details
Music for all Learner Folk Session
Meet on Mondays of school term 6-8pm at St Joseph's club, School lane, Brinscall, Nr Chorley, Lancashire.
We welcome any age, any ability, any instrument. contact Sorrel Harty 01254 831112 mob 07960 654226.
The sessions are organised by 'music for all'
For a listing of workshops in Lancashire see
lancashirefolk.co.uk/Workshops.htm
Folkworks at The Sage, Gateshead organise a number of termly Folk Classes as well as their highly regarded Summer Schools
See http://www.thesagegateshead.org/folkworks/folkworks_participation.aspx for details
Folk Music Workshops at The Mick Jagger Centre, Dartford, Kent (7.45pm till 9.45pm)
Meet every Wednesday at the mjc 7.45pm to 9.45pm. Any instrument and experience welcome. For more information call 01322 225567
Come and Join the Band
7.30pm every 2nd Thursday of the month at The Ark in King William St, Needham Market, Ipswich Suffolk has a long history of traditional music and Suffolk Folk are aiming to keep it that way! They are now running a monthly workshop aimed at bridging the gap between playing at home and in public sessions. It will also give participants the experience of playing together as a band.
Suffolk Folk will be holding Come And Join The Band workshop every second Thursday of the month from 7.30.p.m. until 9ish. They are designed to attract all age groups from youngsters upwards and all acoustic instruments able to play in the keys of D and G.
The music workshop, in a private room, (but with access to drinks from the Bar below!) are designed to help people become more confident playing traditional music socially, and are aimed at Beginners and Improvers. The tunes will be played at a reasonable pace so everyone can join in. They'll also cover playing as a band, helping with arrangements, harmonies/counter melodies and other dark mysteries.
The workshop will be run by Suffolk Folk's Maggie Moore and Stan Bloor who play together in the folk band Pluck 'n' Squeeze. The cost is £2 and Suffolk Folk members get a 25% discount! For more details drop us an email: info@suffolkfolk.co.uk
www.suffolkfolk.co.uk/workshops.html for details.
At Stones Barn singer Maddy Prior has developed a centre of creative expression and excellence, within the heart of the rugged Scottish Borderland. The underfloor heated barn provides a welcoming base to encourage and tempt you to explore and develop your chosen area, whilst enjoying expert tuition, excellent company and good home cooked food.
See here for details of forthcoming courses.
Workshops in Lewes, Sussex
20th. February 2010 Steve Turner Concertina Workshop - Song Accompaniment: All Systems
27th. February 2010 Coope Boyes & Simpson: Vocal Harmoney Workshop
27th. February 2010 Georgina Boyes: English Folklore, An Introduction
27th. March 2010 Ben Paley: Fiddle Workshop
17th.April Shirley Collins Traditional song masterclass
18th.April Shirley Collins Traditional song masterclass
24th.April Issey Emeney Melodeon
22nd.May Joe Penland North Carolina song & social history
5th.June Mike O'Connor & Barbara Griggs Cornish traditional tunes from source manuscripts
6th.June Mike O'Connor Songwriting in the tradition
10th.July Karen Tweed O'Carolan's music (any instrument)
18th. Sept Moor Music Dartmoor music (any instrument)
9th. Oct John Adams Village Music Project (any instrument)
10th.Oct Chris Coe Ballad forum
31st. Oct Martin Carthy Guitar
13th.Nov Frankie Armstrong Singing & vocal techniques
20th.Nov Tim Laycock Concertina (all systems)
See www.lewesarmsfolkclub.org for more details and how to book.
Regular Weekly or Monthly EFDSS Classes and Workshops at Cecil Sharp House, Camden, London
See http://www.efdss.org for details..