Jun
17
Fri
Join Chloe, Sophy, David and Stewart as they launch their debut CD, “Bottle Bank Band”. After much acclaimed appearances at the Scots Fiddle Festival and Fiddles on Fire, the band of four fiddlers are now playing a few select concerts across the region in June. It promises to be a set of fun packed evening with an eclectic range of music, firmly rooted in the traditions of the North East of England.
Jun
24
Fri
Join Chloe, Sophy, David and Stewart as they launch their debut CD, “Bottle Bank Band”. After much acclaimed appearances at the Scots Fiddle Festival and Fiddles on Fire, the band of four fiddlers are now playing a few select concerts across the region in June. It promises to be a set of fun packed evening with an eclectic range of music, firmly rooted in the traditions of the North East of England.
Nov
1
Tue
After a very successful Launch Tour for their debut CD, join Chloe, Sophy, David and Stewart in a much anticipated concert in the wonderful Embleton Village Hall. The band takes its name from the one-time residence of Tyneside’s most famous fiddling son, James Hill. Their repertoire is firmly rooted in but by no means limited to the North East of England – a region which enjoys a centuries old tradition of fiddle playing. Individually the members of Bottle Bank Band have all established reputations as outstanding musicians. By coming together in this combination, they create an exciting and exhilarating musical landscape: the glorious sound of four fiddles, rich in harmony and captivating arrangements, is underpinned by an instinctive understanding of traditional playing, which gives voice and space to the musicality and talent of the individual players.
Mar
4
Sat
In this recital talk the Bottle Bank Band will introduce you to the variety of tunes and melodies which have been inspired by and played in Tyneside over the years.
Apr
21
Fri
The Morpeth Northumbrian Gathering is celebrating its big 50th Anniversary this year and there is lots planned. On the Friday night there will be the Golden Gala Concert in the Methodist Church, in which I will be playing with Bottle Band Band, Tyneside Fiddle Alliance and leading the Morpeth Community Strings group in their debut performance. On the Saturday there will be the usual competitions, and I will be supporting family and friends in the fiddle classes, and might even be persuaded to enter the instrumental duos! The Tyneside Fiddle Alliance plan to defend their title in the Concert Band category and there will be many other great things going on. Do come along and support this wonderful celebration of Northumbrian traditional music, song and dance.
“An exciting three-day annual festival of street entertainment, indoor events, music, dance, craft, dialect, heritage and traditional fun – held the weekend after Easter in the medieval market town of Morpeth, 14 miles north of Newcastle upon Tyne.
The festival is a true gathering of people who come together to enjoy the traditional culture of Northumberland and the wider NE region. It features concerts, dance, crafts, battle re-enactments, dialect, stories, drama, workshops, sessions, singarounds, competitions, stalls, bellringing, orienteering, tours, walks, talks and street performances which include a young people’s pageant as part of the Saturday morning Border Cavalcade.”
Jun
28
Wed
Phoenix Folk presents a Summer Series of Concerts.
Sophy, Chloe, David and myself are delighted and honoured to be able to open the 2017 season with this evening concert on Weds 28th June.
Sep
29
Fri
Tickets also available from Tully’s in Rothbury.
Nov
18
Sat
Learn to play some wonderful Northumbrian tunes from a Master of the tradition. These two workshops celebrate the rich and glorious musical heritage of the North East of England. Saturday is for fiddle players only, Sunday is open to players of any instruments. Plus ‘An Evening with Stewart Hardy’ at the Swan Inn, Aston Munslow.
Saturday: “The Flesh and Bones of Fiddle Tunes”
Level : intermediate & advanced
Taking some great fiddle tunes as examples, Stewart will introduce you to the secrets of the distinctive Northumbrian fiddle style. Stewart is known for his attention to detail, covering bowing, ornaments and how to discover the rhythmic personality of each tune.
Sunday: “Make a Joyful Noise” – all instruments welcome
Expect a day of uplifting music, fun and a few challenges along the way. Stewart is an expert arranger of music for mixed instrument groups. Whether you play melody, chords or bass lines there will be a place for everyone in this day of ensemble playing.
‘An Evening with Stewart Hardy’ (Saturday)
The Swan Inn, Aston Munslow SY7 9ER
Short concert followed by a tunes session .
Workshop fees (including lunch& hot drinks):
EarlyBird: £53 per dayor £105 both days.
After May 1st: £58 per day or £110 for both days
Evening event: £10 including curry. Must be pre-booked, priority to course participants.
Overnight accommodation & campervan parking available – please ask for details.
How to book: e mail Kitty: folkfiddleteacher@gmail.co
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Less than a month to go to our Arrangement Techniques course for mixed instruments, which will be my 100th residential JSArts course!* 🥳There is just one place left if you would like to join us. Get in touch quickly, so we can book you in with the venue - the beautiful Shepherds Dene near Riding Mill in Northumberland.
We will be learning a lovely selection of tunes, and choosing which to work on - exploring options for introductions & endings, varying instrumentation, creating harmony lines and different ways of accompanying the tune to produce alternate soundscapes and narratives. With a limited number of participants, there will be plenty of time to explore ideas from everyone. All instruments are welcome, and if you require notation in different keys or clefs, that can be provided. Dots and audio files are provided in advance, and any recordings from the weekend are sent on afterwards.
*There will be cake! 🎂😊
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Finally, a new tune for The Tune Vault, and to pick up where we left off, here’s another sparkling tune by Tyneside fiddle supremo, James Hill in the key of "F for vescence" 🤣Tykeside (James Hill) | The Tune Vault
youtu.be
Tykeside (James Hill)- The Tune Vault by Stewart HardyThis enigmatically titled reel in F major is another gem by Tyneside fiddling legend James Hill. No tr...
Happy May Day!Looking back, April had some very lovely moments...
At the Morpeth Northumbrian Gathering illustrating Amélie Addison's wonderful talk on William Shield and with cracking performances by Tyneside Fiddle Alliance, our April Workshops on Zoom, a trip to see the amazing Dudok Quartet Amsterdam, a duo gig with Ali Say at the Phoenix Folk Ltd. Spring Thing, the start of Block 3 at North East Fiddle School, and our JSArts Advanced Fiddle course at Rydal Hall. Happy Spring everyone 🎻