The Halsway Young Folk Advanced course aims to challenge and inspire the next generation of professional folk musicians – could this be you?!
Led by Archie Churchill-Moss, you’ll work to develop your musical and performance skills. This is the course to do if you have aspirations of being a professional musician or educator, or are planning to continue your musical education at University.
Now in its seventh year, participants on previous years’ courses have created videos of their own new arrangements, and run festival workshops. This year we’ll be challenging our group to create a performance at Halsway from scratch, in only 5 days! You’ll choose the repertoire – from material you bring with you, and also from material created during the week – and rehearse together to create exciting performances that you can be proud of. You’ll be in good hands with lead tutor Archie Churchill-Moss to guide you though the creative process.
You’ll share some of the week, and the performance, with the Halsway Young Folk Juniors, helping them to gain skills, experience and confidence, and honing your leadership skills along the way.
Who is it for?
For ages 16 – 21. You’ll be a competent musician (and maybe a singer too, though this is not essential), keen to work at a higher level. This is the course to do if you have aspirations of being a professional musician or educator, or are planning to continue your musical education at University. Or if you’re simply a good and experienced young folk musician who wants to spend a few days with like-minded people being creative and having fun with music, that’s fine too!
How to Apply
Please complete this application form. You’ll need to pay a deposit of £60 to secure your place, and the balance is due 6 weeks before the course. Places are limited, and will be allocated on a first-come, first served-basis.
The Team
Archie Churchill-Moss
(lead)
Widely regarded as one of the best players of English traditional folk, Archie has worked as a session musician for some of the UK’s top folk acts (Cara Dillon, Eliza Carthy, Blair Dunlop), as well as performing with the trio, ‘Moore, Moss, Rutter’ , the outfit which saw him receive the coveted BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award in 2011.
The past two years have seen Archie tour extensively across Western Europe and perform at some of Europe’s top music festivals, including headline slots at ‘Colours of Ostrava (Czech Republic), Tønder festival (Denmark), Cropredy Convention (UK) and Cambridge folk festival (UK).
With a contemporary approach to composition and arrangement Archie has developed a style of playing that draws as much influence from the tradition as it does modern popular music. He is currently seen to perform with: ‘Tom Moore & Archie Moss’, ‘Sam Kelly & the Lost Boys’ and ‘False Lights’. His most recent Album ‘Spectres’ by duo Tom Moore & Archie Moss launched in Oct 2020 through Slow Worm Records.
His engaging teaching style comes from a wealth of experience in his position as senior lecturer in ‘Folk Music’ at Leeds College of Music and teaching on the National Youth Folk Ensemble.
Kate is a clawhammer banjo player, singer and composer on the UK folk and world scene. Described as “one of the top banjo players in the country” by virtuoso Dan Walsh, her innovative banjo style combines both traditional UK and American folk, whilst also placing the banjo in a contemporary setting.
In 2018 Kate formed award winning global folk collective Mishra, alongside musical partner Ford Collier, with their debut album released autumn 2019. She also performs as part of critically acclaimed transatlantic neo-folk band The Magpies.
Kate is also an incredible photographer, and we’re indebted to her for all the lovely Young Folk photos she captured in 2023!
Matt Norman
Matt is a performer, teacher, composer, arranger, workshop leader and conductor.
He predominantly works with traditional English music, steeped in the traditions of Devon and Dartmoor. He is also blues and classical musician, and a Dartmoor Step Dance Champion!
As a multi-instrumentalist, Matt plays mandolin, fiddle, mandola, banjos, piano and also sings. He performs solo and in bands including Gadarene and A New Vintage ceilidh band, and regularly deps in other line-ups. He’s also a singer and choir-leader.
Matt’s extensive teaching experience includes working in community and festival settings with all ages and abilities. He has a relaxed, fun and accessible approach to learning, tailored very much to the group. He has a broad expertise embracing mixed-instrument ensembles, choral and voice work, instrument specific tuition (mandolin, fiddle, banjo), and also step dancing.
Kerrie Seymour (Pastoral Support)
Kerrie is a community artist, youth theatre director and project manager with a background in Social Work, specialising in Youth, Education and Children’s Residential care.
Working extensively with schools, community groups and a range of support services Kerrie has delivered countless projects from small theatre performances to large scale outdoor events. She strives to be part of creating fresh, innovative, thought provoking and exciting work that can motivate, inspire, and engage participants and audiences. At Halsway she’ll be leading fun team-building and confidence-boosting games and creative activities to complement the musical tuition, whilst making sure each young person feels included and supported during their stay.