Baring-Gould Folk Weekend and Song School 2017

The Baring-Gould Folk Weekend, which takes place in Okehampton town centre from Friday, October 27 to Sunday, October 29, is an intimate affair, offering a chance to get up close and personal with the guest artists and features a mixture of events; some things you can sit and listen to or others where you can get involved.

The programme comprises workshops, sessions, folk clubs, dances and concerts, all held at indoor venues within easy walking distance of each other. The festival is organised by Okehampton-based Wren Music. A spokesperson for the charity said: ‘This year we are very pleased to be able to welcome from Florence the trio Vincanto, a group of singers we met as part of our European project. They have a great store of traditional Tuscan and Italian folk songs and work in ways very similar to Wren with community projects. Other artists booked so far include John Kirkpatrick, Polly Bolton, Hannah Cummings and of course the full Wren team will be there to showcase highlights from this year’s busy Wren programme.

‘There is an emphasis on family activities on Sunday, with new for this year, a scarecrow festival to add to the annual conker competition - Hannah Cummings is the current champion!

Prior to the festival itself, the Baring-Gould Folk Song School will run from Monday, October 23 to Friday, October 27. Led by Wren Music’s vocal team of Paul Wilson, Sarah Owen and Marilyn Tucker, the main guest tutor will be John Kirkpatrick. The Folk Song School gives you time out to concentrate on your own singing: your voice, your performance, your repertoire. Tuition is done in a range of settings from large group work, to one-to-one surgeries with the tutors, and many small group sessions are developed as the week goes on.

Topics include finding your strong octave and pitching, harmonies, accompaniments, overcoming nerves and so on . . .

The week is suitable for first time singers through to professionals and the emphasis is on learner led activities, one-to-one and/or small group working with individual tutors and peer support.

The full programme for the festival and information about the song school are available at www.wrenmusic.co.uk