An opportunity for young musicians from the South West and beyond to work with leading folk artists, to create a new performance piece – and to perform it live at Sidmouth Folk Week!
“Very long days, however every minute was incredible.” Participant
The Hothouse performers will operate as a company: taking warm ups together, technique classes in their disciplines, learning repertoire and creating contemporary reinterpretations of traditional material. The group will live, work and play together, with opportunities for informal rehearsals and social gatherings to enrich their experience and understanding of the folk arts.
“It was full on, packed with amazing stuff.” Participant
Who’s is it for?
This is a fun but intensive course for young people aged 13-25. Prior experience – as either a dancer or musician – is essential, but it’s ok if you’re new to folk.
“My ability to learn tunes without notation has definitely improved.” Participant
The Team
Archie Churchill-Moss has been playing melodeon for 11 years. He is best known for his work with English contemporary trio, Moore, Moss, Rutter, who won the coveted BBC Young Folk awards in 2011. He has received tuition from some of the UK’s top box players, including Andy Cutting, Julian Sutton, Saul Rose and Rob Harbron. He is currently working with singer songwriter, Ange Hardy and has performed with bands such as False Lights and Mawkin.
Nicola Lyons is a member of acclaimed young Manchester quartet 4Square, where her fiddle playing and clog dancing skills are put to good use – sometimes simultaneously.
Ford Collier is a young Somerset musician who has risen to prominence as one half of popular folk duo The Drystones. Ford has direct experience as a participant of Hothouse, as he himself came through the programme to develop as a performer.
Claire Bailey – In addition to being a fantastic musician, dancer and tutor, Claire is our dedicated pastoral leader to ensure that all participants have the required support when staying away from home.
Will Lang is a modern British Folk musician, composer and producer. One of the most versatile musicians on the British Folk scene today over the last few years, Will has not stopped. He is well known for his collaborations, bringing a folk influence to many prolific performers including Mercury Music Award-winning Nitin Sawhney, The National Youth Choir of Great Britain, Tabla player Aref Durvesh and Northern Spirit Singers in the BBCs Choir of the year.
His most recent diversion has been joining world-renowned percussion sensation Spark! with whom he has been travelling the world. Alongside Spark’s intense touring schedule Will is in high demand as a music educator. A former core tutor of Newcastle University’s Folk and Traditional Music degree in 2010 Will founded Hothouse at Halsway Manor which has become one of the UK’s largest education programmes for young folk musicians, including two week-long residential courses and the Hothouse festival, a one-day one-night celebration of the best of young folk and roots music.
It is his work in Folk and wider-reaching genres that enables Will to inspire musicians to discover Folk music and encourage them to explore the roots of their traditional music.
