Autumn Folk is a residential weekend of music making taking place in Bellingham, Northumberland. It runs 3pm Friday 23rd to 3pm Sunday 25th October.
The weekend runs in two sections: main and band. Main Instrument is Accordion with Ian Lowthian, Mixed Instruments with John Somerville, Singing with Lori Watson, or Fiddle with Bryony Griffith.
in addition you have a band class: Band with no singing, band with song, and band ‘by ear’ where there is no notation. Please state your preference on the booking form.
Residential places are based on one person in one room. If you decide to share it is £10 per person cheaper. Residential places are £395 and non-res/ camper van is £260. Everyone gets lunch, 3 course dinner, teas and coffees. Those staying also get their room and breakfast.
If you would like to book please fill out the Google form below.
any questions please email me at singingkathryn@gmail.com
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1S2zG8d00t7zguNMXriO9X8Wmi36e7ogbvk7OIto5whE/edit
Ian Lowthian
Ian Lowthian is loved the world over for his attention to detail, preparedness, absolute breadth of knowledge, and warm welcoming nature with the odd funny story. Ian is a very popular accordion tutor and this class has sold out quickly in previous years.
This accordion class is suitable for intermediate and advanced players. The class is not suitable for absolute beginners. You must be able to play a few tunes and scales and have some proficiency on the instrument.
Lori Watson
A lecturer in Scottish Ethnology, an award winning Scots singer, and a world renowned fiddle player. Lori Watson is exactly who you want to spend time in the company of. She is an exceptionally qualified teacher, a thoroughly knowledgable musician, and she knows how to bring fun to her sessions too.
Lori is originally from the Scottish Borders and now lives in Edinburgh.
Lori is leading our singing workshops BUT fiddle players will get some time with her too!
Bryony Griffith
Another singer who plays fiddle, or fiddle player who sings… like Lori she is exceptional at both.
Her career in folk music started in the acclaimed ceilidh band Bedlam in her teens and took her all over the UK festival scene. She later became musician for Dog Rose Morris, appearing on Jools Holland, and still plays for one of the country’s premier rapper teams, The Newcastle Kingsmen. She sang in the much-missed a cappella group The Witches of Elswick and was a founder member of the BBC Folk Award-winning Demon Barbers.
In 2017 she was appointed as senior lecturer in vocals and fiddle on the new Folk, Roots and Blue Music degree at Leeds Conservatoire.
Bryony is leading the fiddle workshops BUT singers will get a chance to work with her too!
John Somerville
John Somerville, from Abriachan in the Highlands is one of the most exciting instrumentalists on the Scottish music scene. His unique style of accordion playing along with a sense of innovation has seen him gain a reputation for retaining his traditional roots whilst pushing musical boundaries. John is a notable composer, arranger and teacher working with individuals and groups of all ages. He has worked with a host of bands and acts including Treacherous Orchestra, Croft No Five, Babelfish, Cask Strength Ceilidh Band and Lori Watson. Our mixed instrument players are in for a treat!
…. and accordions you’ll get a chance to work with him too!
Kathryn Davidson
And I’m Kathryn. I’m a choir leader, folk music events organiser, chair of the PTA, mum, singer, whistle player.
I led the folk music education programme for Sage Gateshead/ Glasshouse for a decade. After leaving I realised I wanted to create my own residentials that at their core have people and community. I want our guests to feel safe, comfortable, cared for, and by the end of the weekend I want you all to feel happily exhausted. If you’re choosing to spend your hard earned money with me then I know you deserve it to feel like a holiday.
The Timetable
The weekend can be residential or non-residential. Those choosing residential get their own hotel room. Non-residential places are available for those who don’t wish to stay over. We do have space for a small number of camper vans and there is a caravan site just down the road.
The weekend runs from 3pm Friday to 3pm Sunday. There are more than 12 hours of tuition across the three days plus an evening concert by the tutors and sessions and sing-a-rounds.
When signing up you choose your ‘main instrument’ and let us know preferences for a band workshop. The band workshops give you the opportunity to work with another tutor, a different group of musicians, and to work on collaborative elements of your musicality. There is always an option of ‘band with singing’ and the opportunity to specify a band with no singing!
Friday
2.30pm Feel free to arrive and find your room.
3pm Official Welcome and registration
3.30pm Main Instrument (2.5hrs tutors to schedule short breaks as needed)
6pm Drinks before dinner
7pm 3 course dinner in the restaurant
9pm Tutors showcase followed by a tune and song session in the bar.
Saturday
9am Warm-up
9.30am Main Instrument (1.5hrs)
11am Coffee Break
11.30am Main Instrument (1.5hrs)
1.00pm Soup and sandwich lunch
2.00pm Band (1.5hrs)
3.30pm Coffee Break
4.00pm Band (1hrs)
5.00pm free time (swim, walk, nap, have a drink etc.)
7.30pm 3 course dinner in the restaurant
9pm Songs and tunes. The first hour of the tune session will be slow and steady with suggested repertoire sent out in advance.
Sunday
9am Warm-up
9.30am Band (1.5hrs)
11am Coffee Break
11.30am Main Instrument (1.5hrs)
1pm Soup and sandwich Lunch
2pm Sharing Performance
3pm Home Time.
Costs and Booking
Residential: £395
All the tuition and music. B&B Friday and Saturday in your own hotel room. 3 course dinner on Friday and Saturday night. Light lunch on Saturday and Sunday. Tea and coffee on Saturday and Sunday.
Non-residential: £260
All music and tuition. 3 course dinner on Friday and Saturday night. Light lunch on Saturday and Sunday. Tea and coffee on Saturday and Sunday.
Booking Form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1S2zG8d00t7zguNMXriO9X8Wmi36e7ogbvk7OIto5whE/edit
Terms and Conditions
Your place is not secured until payment is made in full. Payment details are in the booking form.
The organisers reserve the right to cancel and refund in full. This will only happen if there are not enough people to run the course.
Places are non-refundable but they are transferable. If you are unable to attend please contact Kathryn as soon as you can
Kathryn Davidson 