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.
Nov
11
Fri
Fiddle Technique with Stewart Hardy
Tunes are carefully selected to work as exercises demonstrating particular techniques, whilst at the same time providing a melodic stimulus. Exercises are extracted from the tunes to facilitate applying the technique to other tunes. Many of the tunes are suitable for multi-level workshops, with the teaching of a variety of techniques, requiring greater or lesser technical experience, applied to them. Subject matter includes: bowing technique, left hand technique and general fiddle well-being. In the choice of repertoire emphasis is given to stylistic aspects of the music. A number of considerations are given to the selection of tunes, including their interest to Stewart in his studies, their interest to the general musical community, their demonstration of particular stylistic nuances, and as being representative of a composer’s style.
All sheet music and mp3 files of all the tunes covered are provided. Plus recordings of exercises from the course where these are helpful.
The workshops typically take between 7 & 10 people for three days of instruction. The cost covers all food, tuition, refreshments and overnight accommodation.The course costs £300 for weekend (Friday Lunchtime through to Sunday evening). Everything is provided by way of meals and refreshments, so no need to spend another penny on anything once you are here. Vegan and vegetarian diets are catered for, as are lactose and gluten intolerance.
There are on average 6 hours of workshops daily. Dinner is followed each evening by an informal session led by Stewart. These help reinforce the techniques learned during the day, give you a chance to hear and learn new tunes and teach others some of your own favourites.
Your tutor is available to you from breakfast until bed-time for questions and advice.
Nov
19
Sat
Tyneside Fiddle Alliance have been again invited to be Special Guests at the Allendale Community Choirs’ Showcase. This is the final concert at then end of a workshop day for local Community Choirs and in past years has been an exciting event to be a part of.
Nov
24
Thu
Northumbrian and Traditional Music presented by the Tyneside Fiddle Alliance.
7.30pm (doors open 6.45pm)
Tickets £5 from TFA members, on the door or email fiddle.alliance@gmail.com
For this concert the Tyneside Fiddle Alliance led by tutors from the wonderful Bottle Bank Band, will perform music from their ever expanding repertoire. The programme will feature a feast of traditional music blended with beautiful harmonies and accompaniments. In the concert this year we will be joined by Woolsington Strings, a smaller ensemble whose members are familiar faces from the region’s community music groups and who will be giving their debut performance. This year the Fiddle Alliance has been winning awards at Northumbrian music festivals in Morpeth and Rothbury, and this is your chance to hear them in their spiritual home.
Nov
27
Sun
I will be joining Lee Maddison at this relaxed and informal venue for an evening of Lee’s wonderful songs.
Dec
9
Fri
My friend, Bryan Jackson and I get together whenever possible to play through his wonderful arrangements of classical and folk music. I got to know Bryan through the Monkseaton Morris Men for whom he played fiddle and danced for many years. We will be providing music for the RNLI weekly coffee morning, in the form of carols arranged by Bryan for two fiddles. All proceeds will go to the RNLI – come along and get into the festive spirit!
Dec
11
Sun
Songs, Tunes, Dances, Stories, Rituals and Customs of Midwinter, Christmas and the Turning of the Year
Stewart Hardy (fiddle & vocals), Grace Smith (fiddle, vocals & clogs) and David Oliver (accordion & vocals) bring to Core Music their lively, cheerful, interactive and (at least partly!) spontaneous look at the festive season, with seasonal snacks and warming drinks.
Entry by donation on the door, but please book in advance! Suggested donation £10; less for concessions. All donations are voluntary, but they help us carry on making music accessible for people in our community.
To book your place, just call 01434 601993, drop into the shop, send a message on Facebook or email info@coremusic.co.uk.
Jan
6
Fri
SOLD OUT – The official launch of the new Maddison’s Thread CD, “Sixty Minutes an Hour” will happen over two nights in the cozy and intimate surroundings of the Hartlepool Cricket Club. Friday 6th and Saturday 7th January 2017, doors 7 pm.
Jan
7
Sat
SOLD OUT – The official launch of the new Maddison’s Thread CD, “Sixty Minutes an Hour” will happen over two nights in the cozy and intimate surroundings of the Hartlepool Cricket Club. Friday 6th and Saturday 7th January 2017, doors 7 pm.
Recordings
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🎧🎻🎹 Our next set of Zoom workshops is this weekend, on Friday 12th and Saturday 13th April. Each workshop can be booked individually, and all will be available on-demand after the weekend. Book now on the website!There will be lots of favourite tunes with harmonies and chords provided for the Friday evening play-along session. All instruments are welcome, and alternate clefs or keys for transposing instruments can be provided on request. Then on Saturday in the fiddle workshops, we'll be looking at a fabulous north east tune by Geroge Mitchell of the Cheviot Ranters, call Geordie's Rant, in the morning. In the afternoon, it will be the turn of Shrewsbury Lasses, one of the classic country dance tunes of the English repertoire. Full resources including audio files and a worksheet are provided.
Visit the website for more info and bookings 😃
There will be lots of fascinating facts and insights into the life and times of William Shield, presented by Dr Amélie Addison on Saturday afternoon, illustrated with a few fiddle tunes! We'll be at the Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum at 4pm.Morpeth Northumbrian Gathering
(Disclaimer: more recent photos are available!)
It was lovely to play this tune again with Grace Smith Music. Thanks for the invitation to be a part of this fabulous project!