Tenterden Folk Festival

 

PRESS RELEASE: 

 

Traditional singing Workshops

for singers at all levels

with Jerry Epstein

 

Jerry Epstein was a guest at Tenterden Folk Festival last year and so impressed us with his knowledge of traditional songs and how to sing them, that we have invited him back for this year’s Festival.  In addition Jerry has offered to run a series of intensive workshops for singers immediately after the Festival.

 

Tenterden Folk Festival will be co-ordinating and sponsoring a full set of Jerry’s intensive workshops for singers covering every aspect of the singing of folk songs.  Whether your need is in just using the voice with freedom and power, holding pitch better, repertoire and performance, or the stylistic aspects that make a song memorable such as timing, declamation of words, decoration, diction, etc., these sessions will be a revelation.  Jerry has been leading similar workshops for more than 30 years, all over the north eastern U.S.A, England, Scotland, Australia and New Zealand. “Remarkable changes often happen in only a few minutes, making the sessions very exciting“.

 

Jerry will play recordings of a range of great singers for discussion, but the prime focus will be, in his words “voices-on”.  These are not lectures; they are very much participatory workshops.  Each participant (limited to 9 for this reason) will work on a song in each of the four sessions, although you will find that you learn as much from listening to the work with someone else as you do when working yourself.  Other participants will give their immediate reaction to what they hear and you will use these as a springboard to “peel the onion”, layer by layer, removing obstacles to the most immediate and effective delivery, the most natural sound, and the best narrative.

 

The sessions are open to, and work well with, a mix of participants at all levels, from beginners to advanced and professional singers.  The whole process is of interest and value for any singer interested in this type of singing.  The sessions are informal and very supportive.  Participants should be able to carry a tune, although real beginners can also make great strides in these sessions. Participants should know at least a few songs to work on.  Instruments are acceptable, but you are likely to be asked to sing unaccompanied, at least at first.  How to maintain good narrative over a regular rhythmic accompaniment is an important topic that will often come up.  There is no set programme of topics, the issues that are dealt with come entirely from the needs and interests of the participants and each workshop is different.  Since almost every issue that emerges is of general interest, we can guarantee that no one will get bored!

 

Depending on the take up of this opportunity, the workshops will be held at a venue in or near to Tenterden, most likely on the four evenings of Monday 9th to Thursday 12th October.   Participants should preferably be able to attend on all four evenings to get the full benefit, but it may be possible to register for part of the series.  The introduction on Monday evening is, however, important so you should be able to make that. 

 

The cost of attending the complete series of workshops will be £48.00 per person. 

 

There are only 9 places available.

 

To express an interest or reserve your place on these workshops contact:

Alan Castle info@tenterdenfolkfestival.org.uk or telephone (evenings preferably between 7.00 and 9.00 p.m.) 01233 626805

 

We need to know now as soon as possible how many people are interested in attending these workshops so that we can finalise arrangements.  

 

Tenterden Folk Festival

15 Repton Manor Road

Ashford, Kent

TN23 3HA

Tel. 01233 626805

info@tenterdenfolkfestival.org.uk

www.tenterdenfolkfestival.org.uk

 

 

Tenterden Folk Day Trust, promoting folk song, music and dance

Registered charity number 1038663

 

 

The latest details of the Festival, the full guest list and a ticket booking form is posted on our web site at www.tenterdenfolkfestival.org.uk

 

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Join the mailing list by sending a s.a.e. to Tenterden Folk Festival (mailing list)

Alan Castle, Tenterden Folk Day Trust, 15 Repton Manor Road, Ashford, Kent, TN23 3HA

 

 

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Last updated 6th February 2006

Copyright © Tenterden Folk Festival 2006