Oct
3
Sun
Another chance to join with Lee Maddison and Nige Spaven to play a relaxed set of Lee’s wonderful songs and a selection of covers.
Feb
25
Fri
Arrangement Techniques for Mixed Instruments
25th – 27th February 2022
Rydal Hall, Ambleside LA22 9LX
This course is currently fully booked, but please get in touch if you would like to go onto the waiting list.
Join Stewart in the beautiful setting of Rydal Hall in the Lake District, for a weekend of exploring new tunes and creating arrangements. The workshop will be limieted to 8 people and will run from 3 pm on Friday until 3 pm on Sunday afternoon. It is open to players of any instrument (including transposing instruments) and is aimed at a broad range of abilities from intermediate to advanced. Workshops focus on techniques for arranging tunes for the combination of instruments to hand, using tools such as tempo, texture, dynamics and harmonic structure to create a musical narrative. To enjoy the full benefits of these courses, participants should be able to read notation or confidently and quickly pick up tunes and musical ideas by ear. We will aim to create well-mixed groups by monitoring the instrumentation as participants sign up for the course. All tuition, resources, accommodation, food and daytime refreshments are included. Sheet music and mp3 files of the tunes covered are sent out in advance, and any recordings from the course are sent on to you afterwards.
For further information or to express your interest in this course, please email Ali (jsarts@stewarthardy.co.uk)
**Covid-19 Update
This course will be run in accordance to our Covid-secure Music Workshop Guidelines, and is subject to any restrictions applicable at the time, and any coronavirus protocols from the venue.
Oct
7
Fri
Arrangement Techniques for Mixed Instruments
7th – 9th October 2022
Shepherds Dene, near Riding Mill, Northumberland, NE44 6AF
This course is currently fully booked, but please get in touch if you would like to go onto the waiting list.
Join Stewart in the beautiful retreat house of Shepherds Dene in Northumberland, for a weekend of exploring new tunes and creating arrangements. The workshop will be limieted to 8 people and will run from 4 pm on Friday until 4 pm on Sunday afternoon. It is open to players of any instrument (including transposing instruments) and is aimed at a broad range of abilities from intermediate to advanced. Workshops focus on techniques for arranging tunes for the combination of instruments to hand, using tools such as tempo, texture, dynamics and harmonic structure to create a musical narrative. To enjoy the full benefits of these courses, participants should be able to read notation or confidently and quickly pick up tunes and musical ideas by ear. We will aim to create well-mixed groups by monitoring the instrumentation as participants sign up for the course. All tuition, resources, accommodation, food and daytime refreshments are included. Sheet music and mp3 files of the tunes covered are sent out in advance, and any recordings from the course are sent on to you afterwards.
For further information or to express your interest in this course, please email Ali (jsarts@stewarthardy.co.uk)
**Covid-19 Update
This course will be run in accordance to our Covid-secure Music Workshop Guidelines, and is subject to any restrictions applicable at the time, and any coronavirus protocols from the venue.
Oct
26
Wed
Frank McLaughlin and I have really been enjoying getting back into rehearsals recently. We are delighted to have been invited to play at the Edinburgh Folk Club during half term on Wednesday October 26th. If you are anywhere near, do come along or if you know someone in the Edinburgh area, please encourage them to step through the door.
8.00 pm start, doors/bar open from 7.30 pm
Dec
2
Fri
NEFS Residential Weekend
Fri 2nd – Sun 4th December 2022
Shepherds Dene Retreat Centre
For full details, see the NEFS Residential Weekend web page on the NEFS website.
We will be holding our first in-person NEFS Residential Weekend at the beautiful Shepherds Dene Retreat Centre near Riding Mill on Friday 2nd – Sunday 4th December 2022.
This weekend will include our usual Saturday Workshop for the block, which will be on Saturday 3rd December 10.00 am – 5.00 pm. There will be three tune workshops and a session during the day, which will give us a chance to learn new tunes, work on the relevant techniques, and play some of our NEFS tunes together. Tea and coffee is provided, and there is the option to add lunch provided by the venue. Otherwise you are welcome to bring a packed lunch, or to drive down into Riding Mill for something to eat. The lunch break will be 1 hour long.
In addition, we will begin the weekend on Friday evening with dinner and an informal session, and there will be an option to book Bed & Breakfast, so you can stay over, ready for the workshop on Saturday.
After the workshop on Saturday, they is the option to stay for dinner, and to join us for the evening. We are planning a short informal concert to inspire and entertain you, and this will be followed by a session. The bar will be open to purchase drinks and there is again an option of bed and breakfast, so you can relax and enjoy the evening.
On Sunday morning, some short 1-1 sessions with Stewart will be available for those who are interested, and we will recap Saturday’s tunes, or learn a new one, depending on what people would like to do. We will finish the weekend with lunch provided by Shepherds Dene before we head home.
We have come up with some packages to allow you to book the events you wish to attend. These include the following options:
- Saturday Workshop (tea & coffee included, bring a packed lunch, or…)
- add Lunch provided by the venue during the Saturday workshop
- Evening meal and a session (Friday evening, and/or Saturday evening including the concert)
- Bed & Breakfast on Friday and/or Saturday night
- Sunday workshop and lunch
Some or all of these options can be booked as packages, with residential and non-residential options available. For full details, see the NEFS Residential Weekend web page.
Block 6 Online Option is also available to book separately.
Please email or use the contact form for with any queries. To book your place, please place your order in the NEFS Shop.
Feb
24
Fri
Arrangement Techniques for Mixed Instruments
24th – 26th February
Rydal Hall, Ambleside LA22 9LX
Join Stewart in the beautiful setting of Rydal Hall in the Lake District, for a weekend of exploring new tunes and creating arrangements. The workshop will be limited to 8 participants and will run from 3 pm on Friday until 3 pm on Sunday afternoon. It is open to players of any instrument (including transposing instruments) and is aimed at a broad range of abilities from intermediate to advanced. Workshops focus on techniques for arranging tunes for the combination of instruments to hand, using tools such as tempo, texture, dynamics and harmonic structure to create a musical narrative. To enjoy the full benefits of these courses, participants should be able to read notation or confidently and quickly pick up tunes and musical ideas by ear. We will aim to create well-mixed groups by monitoring the instrumentation as participants sign up for the course. All tuition, resources, accommodation, food and daytime refreshments are included. Sheet music and mp3 files of the tunes covered are sent out in advance, and any recordings from the course are sent on to you afterwards.
For further information or for a booking form, please email Ali (music@stewarthardy.co.uk)
Jul
8
Sat
Jul 8 @ 9:30 am – 5:00 pm
NEFS Summer Workshop Weekend with Grace Smith and Stewart Hardy
Full details from the NEFS website: http://www.northeastfiddleschool.org.uk/classes/
- Saturday 8th July – Full day of Fiddle Tune & Technique Workshops (Wylam Methodist Church)
- Satuday evening informal concert & session, featuring Stewart Hardy & Frank McLaughlin (Riding Mill Parish Hall)
- Sunday 9th July – Fiddle Ensemble Day (Riding Mill Parish Hall)
Each workshop day is £44, attend both for £84.
Saturday Full-day Fiddle Tunes & Technique Workshop Saturday 8th July, 9.30 am – 5.00 pm at Wylam Methodist Church, Chapel Lane, Wylam, Northumberland NE41 8AA
£44 – places are limited.
£44 – places are limited.
- In-person tuition focusing on developing fiddle technique
- Tunes and technique delivered by both Grace Smith and Stewart Hardy
- In-depth fiddle teaching aimed at Levels 2 and 3
- The day includes 3 mixed ability workshops, looking at tunes and techniques, and time for a tutor-guided session
Satuday evening informal concert & session, featuring Stewart Hardy & Frank McLaughlin (Riding Mill Parish Hall, 7.30 – 10.30 pm)
The wonderful Frank McLaughlin will be coming down from Edinburgh with his guitar to join Stewart for an informal concert & session on the Saturday evening in Riding Mill Parish Hall (all welcome, free entry, donations encouraged).
Sunday Full-day Fiddle Ensemble Day Sunday 9th July, 9.30 am – 4.00 pm at Riding Mill Parish Hall, Millfield Rd, Riding Mill, Northumberland NE44 6DJ
£44 – places are limited Includes:
- In-person tuition focusing on fiddle ensemble playing techniques
- Includes tunes, harmonies, fiddle chords and fiddle ensemble arrangement techniques.
- Teaching delivered by both Grace Smith and Stewart Hardy
- The day will finish with a tutor-guided session
Jul 8 @ 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
NEFS Summer Workshop Weekend with Grace Smith and Stewart Hardy
Full details from the NEFS website: http://www.northeastfiddleschool.org.uk/classes/
- Saturday 8th July – Full day of Fiddle Tune & Technique Workshops (Wylam Methodist Church)
- Satuday evening informal concert & session, featuring Stewart Hardy & Frank McLaughlin (Riding Mill Parish Hall)
- Sunday 9th July – Fiddle Ensemble Day (Riding Mill Parish Hall)
Each workshop day is £44, attend both for £84.
Saturday Full-day Fiddle Tunes & Technique Workshop Saturday 8th July, 9.30 am – 5.00 pm at Wylam Methodist Church, Chapel Lane, Wylam, Northumberland NE41 8AA
£44 – places are limited.
£44 – places are limited.
- In-person tuition focusing on developing fiddle technique
- Tunes and technique delivered by both Grace Smith and Stewart Hardy
- In-depth fiddle teaching aimed at Levels 2 and 3
- The day includes 3 mixed ability workshops, looking at tunes and techniques, and time for a tutor-guided session
Satuday evening informal concert & session, featuring Stewart Hardy & Frank McLaughlin (Riding Mill Parish Hall, 7.30 – 10.30 pm)
The wonderful Frank McLaughlin will be coming down from Edinburgh with his guitar to join Stewart for an informal concert & session on the Saturday evening in Riding Mill Parish Hall (all welcome, free entry, donations encouraged).
Sunday Full-day Fiddle Ensemble Day Sunday 9th July, 9.30 am – 4.00 pm at Riding Mill Parish Hall, Millfield Rd, Riding Mill, Northumberland NE44 6DJ
£44 – places are limited Includes:
- In-person tuition focusing on fiddle ensemble playing techniques
- Includes tunes, harmonies, fiddle chords and fiddle ensemble arrangement techniques.
- Teaching delivered by both Grace Smith and Stewart Hardy
- The day will finish with a tutor-guided session
Jul
9
Sun
Jul 9 @ 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
NEFS Summer Workshop Weekend with Grace Smith and Stewart Hardy
Full details from the NEFS website: http://www.northeastfiddleschool.org.uk/classes/
- Saturday 8th July – Full day of Fiddle Tune & Technique Workshops (Wylam Methodist Church)
- Satuday evening informal concert & session, featuring Stewart Hardy & Frank McLaughlin (Riding Mill Parish Hall)
- Sunday 9th July – Fiddle Ensemble Day (Riding Mill Parish Hall)
Each workshop day is £44, attend both for £84.
Saturday Full-day Fiddle Tunes & Technique Workshop Saturday 8th July, 9.30 am – 5.00 pm at Wylam Methodist Church, Chapel Lane, Wylam, Northumberland NE41 8AA
£44 – places are limited.
£44 – places are limited.
- In-person tuition focusing on developing fiddle technique
- Tunes and technique delivered by both Grace Smith and Stewart Hardy
- In-depth fiddle teaching aimed at Levels 2 and 3
- The day includes 3 mixed ability workshops, looking at tunes and techniques, and time for a tutor-guided session
Satuday evening informal concert & session, featuring Stewart Hardy & Frank McLaughlin (Riding Mill Parish Hall, 7.30 – 10.30 pm)
The wonderful Frank McLaughlin will be coming down from Edinburgh with his guitar to join Stewart for an informal concert & session on the Saturday evening in Riding Mill Parish Hall (all welcome, free entry, donations encouraged).
Sunday Full-day Fiddle Ensemble Day Sunday 9th July, 9.30 am – 4.00 pm at Riding Mill Parish Hall, Millfield Rd, Riding Mill, Northumberland NE44 6DJ
£44 – places are limited Includes:
- In-person tuition focusing on fiddle ensemble playing techniques
- Includes tunes, harmonies, fiddle chords and fiddle ensemble arrangement techniques.
- Teaching delivered by both Grace Smith and Stewart Hardy
- The day will finish with a tutor-guided session
Dec
1
Fri
NEFS Winter Residential Weekend
Full details from the NEFS website:
http://www.northeastfiddleschool.org.uk/classes/nefs-winter-res-2023/
- Saturday 2nd December: Block 6 Saturday workshop, in-person with tuition from Melissa and Stewart
- Extend your visit with Friday evening dinner and a session, dinner on Saturday followed by an informal concert and session, and a workshop with Stewart to finish with coffee on Sunday morning.
- Day guest and residential packages available
Saturday workshop is £50 including lunch and all refreshments, and the full weekend residential (2 nights B&B and all meals & refreshments except bar drinks) is £295.
*Just a couple of places left
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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 🎻