Folk Music Week at Pinewoods
July 25 - August 1, 2009
This week is over -- see you next year!
Join the Folk Music Week Facebook Group and Event.
Tentative Schedule
Program Description
Look at Adult Programs for general information; here are details about this particular program and staff.
Folk Music Week at Pinewoods Camp is something akin to Brigadoon. Once a year, a wonderful and enriching music and dance experience appears from the mists to share and celebrate our songs, music and dance heritage. At the end of the week, a new community of friends and new acquaintances emerges, with new learning and perspectives of the music and dance that we love.
This year, we have managed to pull together an amazing staff team and the opportunity to see this staff group together, in our view, rates as "one off" and "unmissable". The regular mixture of workshops, concert presentations and informal gatherings will present every opportunity to sing dance and play. There will also be plenty of open sessions, jams and singarounds providing every opportunity for you get involved.
There is also a Morris Intensive Course concurrent with this week (pre-registration required).
-- Dave Webber and Anni Fentiman, Program Co-Directors
Staff
Sheila Kay Adams is one of the primary tradition bearers and song carriers. She is without doubt a national treasure and the opportunity to learn directly from Sheila about her music and her community is one that should not be missed. Sheila's workshops will be based around the songs, music and stories that have been passed down to her by her ancestors. Personal Webpage
Louis Killen has been a professional folk singer for over forty years and a major contributor to the singing of the English and American folk revival. Louis is another key tradition bearer and song carrier. He is a masterful exponent of the traditional singing style. As well as his vast list of songs and ballads, Louis will teach his unique style of English concertina accompaniment.
Norman Kennedy is another giant in traditional song circles. He is steeped in the singing tradition of his native Scotland. Norman will teach classes for the second half of the week. We may even manage to persuade him to teach his special workshop which demonstrates the use of song in "waulking the cloth"; a method used in traditional weaving.
Sandra Kerr was a member of the Critics group with Ewan McColl and Peggy Seeger and others. Sandra is very accomplished singer and concertina player and has a very distinguished history in the performance of traditional music both from the concert platform and in networked broadcasting; she leads and directs Folk Choirs on a local and national basis and is also a specialist singing teacher and vocal coach. Sandra now teaches on the Folk Music degree course at Newcastle University. As well as her traditional repertoire, Sandra will teach voice and Choral singing workshops.
Brad Leftwich is certainly one of the most inspiring old-time fiddle players. He learned his art from the masters and is now a master in his own right. In addition to his skills as a fiddler, banjo player and singer Brad possesses a real gift as a patient and inspiring teacher. Brad's master classes at camp are a unique opportunity to learn directly from one of the best of best. Personal Webpage
Danny Spooner an Englishman long domiciled in Australia has a long and varied experience of singing and playing in the folk revival on several continents. Danny's knowledge as a historian, his life experience and musicianship come together with his engaging presentation style to bring a range of fascinating workshops including work songs, songs of the sea, British traditional songs as transported to Australia and even a workshop entitled The Amorous Muse. Personal Webpage
Bob Walser and Julie Young bring American roots music and dance to life in a unique way. Their lively program will feature percussive step dancing; they also lead the daily social dance. They will teach classes in playing with the dancers for musicians aspiring to play for dance and Bob, in his role as bandleader for the week, will endeavor to bring together the musicians at camp in an orderly way to play for the daily dance. Bob and Julie will also share some of their experiences and learning from Turtle Mountain, where they have worked for some time with the Métis community and have an in depth knowledge of the music and dance of the Métis people. Personal Webpage
Bill and Livia Vanaver have presented their energetic and creative programs of song and dance traditions widely in the U.S. and on the international stage. They are very accomplished musicians, singers and dancers and are acclaimed for their imaginative and multicultural repertoire and you could not fail to be inspired by their enthusiasm. Bill is also a composer and Livia a Choreographer. They bring a wide and varied program of workshops and masterclasses to Folk Music Week. Personal Webpage
Dave Webber and Anni Fentiman Tour extensively both sides of the Atlantic with their particular brand of harmony and solo singing. Their wide ranging song base brings together traditional, revival and newly written material in programs designed to engage audiences and make joining in irresistible. As well as their program together Dave will lead a song writing workshop and Anni will present a workshop on the songs and culture of the north east of England. Personal Webpage