Young Musicians Folk Band Workshops
October Half Term Special Project
Try new instruments
Learn traditional tunes from around Britain
Play in a folk band
Work with professional folk musicians
Monday 26 Oct, Tuesday 27th Oct, Thursday 29th Oct
Junior group Ages 9-12
10.00-12.30 each day
Teenage Group Ages 13-16 1.30-4.00pm each day
For the first time The Stables is offering 3 days of music workshops for young people
to learn and share some of the folk music that exists in the region and beyond! Three
specialist tutors from across the UK will be leading workshops on a range of folk
related instruments at both junior (9-12) and senior (13-16) sessions.
Whether you’re a budding young folk player or simply want to have a go at playing
traditional music and folk instruments for the first time, these sessions will offer the
chance to work alongside top UK folk artists and start or develop your folk music
playing.
You will have the chance to try different traditional instruments including fiddle, harp,
melodeon and penny whistle, play one of the instruments as part of a big folk band
and learn traditional tunes - including some very local ones from Milton Keynes and
Buckinghamshire! Family and friend are welcome to come along to the end of the final
session to hear the tunes.
You don’t need to read music notation as learning will be done by ear, but players of
all backgrounds are welcome whatever way you are used to learning music.
Suitable for young players who may not have had chance to play folk music yet,
as well as those who have. You will need some experience of playing tunes but
that can be on any instrument. For the junior group you should be able to play
simple tunes from memory and have done some playing in a group. For teenage
group you need be able to play simple tunes from memory, know something
about scales and chords and have done some playing in a group.
You don’t need to have done any instrument grades or exams, but if you have
as a rough guide Grade 1 or above for Junior, Grade 3 or above for Teenage, on
any instrument.
If you are not sure about your playing standard or have any other questions
please contact education@stables.org or call 01908 280818
The workshop will be led by an experienced team of professional folk musicians and
teachers Luke Daniels, Emma Sweeney and Colm McGonigle
To book a place contact the Box Office on 01908 280800. We’ll then send you a
registration form to make sure we have all the details we need to help us run the
workshops.
Monday 26 Oct, Tuesday 27th Oct, Thursday 29th Oct
Junior group Ages 9-12
10.00-12.30 each day
Teenage Group Ages 13-16 1.30-4.00pm each day
£20 for 3 sessions
for Milton Keynes residents or attending a Milton Keynes school.
(For those outside of MK contact education@stables.org for further information)
Limited number of bursaries available to support young would otherwise be unable to attend contact education@stables.org for further information and eligibility.
Supported by Milton Keynes Music Education Hub
Project leader - Luke Daniels
Melodeon (or ‘squeezebox’) & pennywhistle
A former member of the Riverdance band, Luke now plays with Cara Dillon and was
introduced by Mark Radcliffe on his BBC Radio 2 programme as “a master melodeon player.”
With over 20 year’s experience as a teacher he’s distilled this knowledge as a means of
helping players of all abilities to improve their technique and understand the instrument in
more depth. Luke also has extensive experience of using the pennywhistle to help people
develop their knowledge of folk tunes and as a beginners folk instrument for younger
children. Over the years he has led many Educational projects, including creating and running
folk music academies for young players. He has developed workshops and easy to read
interactive learning materials that support using the penny whistle in education, especially as
a means of building hand-eye coordination, helping young players learn by ear and to have
fun as they develop their musical potential.
Fiddle or (violin) tutor – Emma Sweeney
Emma Sweeney is one of folk music’s rising stars. Emma’s unique style combines her trad Irish
background with a fusion of world influences, drawing upon her experience of teaching music
in India, and touring across Europe. A distinguished and experienced live performer, Emma
has played alongside a whole raft of traditional musicians, including Mike McGoldrick, John
Doyle and Mick O’Brien. She has also recently supported Paul Weller in a guest appearance
with The Rails.
Clasarch (Celtic) Harp tutor – Colm McGonigle
Colm McGonigle plays harp and concertina. Originally from Belfast, and now based in
Cambridge, he is in demand as a performer, teacher, recording and session musician
throughout the UK and Ireland. Since his mid teens, Colm has played regularly at
international folk music festivals throughout North America, Europe and the Far East and on
international television and radio including a live broadcast from the BBC Proms 2014. His
harp playing has featured on numerous studio albums, most recently with the London Lasses
& Chris O’Malley on their 5th album, “The One I Loved the Best.”