A multitude of voices: folk arts and communities

Join us for our free professional development day for anyone involved or interested in folk arts in education, heritage and participation settings. Through a range of presentations, practical workshops, discussions and networking, we’ll be considering community engagement in the folk arts.

The team behind the Gypsy and Traveller Voices in Archives project, Dr Hazel Marsh (University of East Anglia), Dr Esbjörn Wettermark (University of Sheffield) and Tiffany Hore (Vaughan Williams Memorial Library, English Folk Dance and Song Society), will present this new resource and open up a discussion on the contributions of these groups to the shared music heritage of England and its importance today.

Other presenters will include: Alex Bartholomew, Administrator, and Lindsay Want, Trustee, from East Anglian Traditional Music Trust (EATMT) – on their work with folk arts and communities in the region. Becky Marshall-Potter, Director, FolkEast, and Finn Collinson, leader – on FolkEast’s Youth Moot Gloria Buckley MBE, Patron of EATMT and former manager at Roundwell Gypsy and Traveller site at Costessey – on her work with community relations and education of Gypsy, Romany and Traveller culture. EATMT and FolkEast will also present the recent Vaughan Williams’ Folk young musicians project, showcase and resources. Suzanna King, Friends, Families & Travellers, and writer and director of Crystal’s Vardo – on this Theatre for Change production, the importance of after-show Q&A, and their wider work in schools and community settings. Marcus Patteson, Executive Director, Norfolk Community Arts – on their work with young people and communities, including Sistema Norwich, the Youth Samba Band and folk music as part of their Summer Sessions. Georgia Shackleton, folk singer, composer and fiddle player – on her work with traditional material from East Anglia and her songwriting, giving voice to the environment and endangered species, with a practical singing workshop. Rachel Elliott, Education Director, and Hannah Mears-Young, Programme Manager, National Youth Folk Ensemble, English Folk Dance and Song Society – update on the National Youth Folk Ensemble and other aspects of their Education programme. Presented by EFDSS in partnership with University of East Anglia