Background

 
Planning and Evaluation

 
Our initial scoping and research process provided us with strong foundations for the programme. We continue to evaluate and to consult.

Evaluation, 2018

Evaluation Summary: National Youth Folk Ensemble 2016-18: The first two years, written by external evaluator Andrea Spain.

Mapping Survey, 2015 

To help with planning for the National Youth Folk Ensemble and associated engagement programme, in 2015 we carried out a mapping survey with Sound Connections to audit youth folk music provision across England.

The full report, Youth Folk Music Activity in England: Findings from a national mapping survey, February – March 2015, summarises the findings.

Everyone involved in running youth folk music activities outside of the school curriculum, including those who have run activities in the past or plan to do so in the future, were invited to respond. The findings from the survey gave us a greater understanding of youth folk music activities across England and indicated potential partner organisations and complementary activities to support the development of the National Youth Folk Ensemble and engagement programme.

Consultation, 2014

In early 2014 we worked with Sound Connections to consult with the folk music and music education sectors on the desirability and feasibility of creating a national youth folk music ensemble. The consultation also aimed to seek views from young people currently involved in folk music.

The consultation resulted in a report, Towards a National Youth Folk Music Ensemble.

Youth Folk Opportunities 

See also Youth Folk Opportunities for our interactive map of current youth folk music activity in England and download our PDF directory.  

The National Youth Music Organisations

The National Youth Folk Ensemble is an English Folk Dance and Song Society programme, funded by Arts Council England and the Department for Education as a National Youth Music Organisation.