Exploring English Folk Music
This resource introduces secondary school students to folk music through an interactive concert, featuring renowned folk musicians Sam Sweeney and Rob Harbron with National Youth Folk Ensemble alumni musicians Cori Smith, Louis Campbell and Martin Parker.
The concert was live-streamed in May 2021 from Wiltshire Music Centre for an online audience of local secondary schools (Key Stage 3 and above).
During the concert, listeners will learn about:
- Common features of folk music
- Different types of folk tunes and rhythms
- Creating musical arrangements
- Interpreting tunes found in manuscripts
- Riffs, chord progressions, modes, key changes
- Instruments – viola, English concertina, piano accordion
The accompanying PDF guides teachers through the concert and highlights the musical learning points that are covered in each section. It also contains information about the concert repertoire and performers, plus opportunities for further learning in folk and traditional music.
Exploring English Folk Music is a partnership between the English Folk Dance and Song Society, Wiltshire Music Centre, and Wiltshire Music Connect.
one of my favourite parts about playing folk music with other people is the room for improvisation... you have complete freedom to try out riffs or ideas – Cori Smith
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