Members of Moonrakers return to Halsway Manor bringing their exciting and dynamic music event for musicians and singers. Expect a relaxing, stimulating and engaging multi-instrumental week. Whether you play bowed, fretted or reed instruments, whistles or flutes, or simply like to sing, you are very welcome on this course! We’ll work on our own improvised Read More
This course is currently sold out. We do sometimes get cancellations - if you would like to be added to the waiting list, please contact us. Subject to demand, a short course to learn how to make reeds for the Northumbrian (or Scottish) smallpipes – then, if you wish, stay on for our Northumbrian smallpipes Read More
Members of Moonrakers bring their exciting and dynamic music to Halsway Manor during their Folk Orchestra week. Two members of Moonrakers – Jon Bennett (guitar, bouzouki, low whistles, ukelele and vocals) and Jacqui Johnson (cello, accordion) – will be joined by Andy May (Northumbrian small pipes) for an informal concert of tunes, songs, and anecdotes. Read More
We're delighted to welcome back Andy May, Pauline Cato, Chris Ormston and Chris Evans to put Northumbrian Smallpipers of all abilities through their paces. The weekend offers a enjoyable opportunity to develop technique and repertoire with a variety of workshops, sessions, plus a performance from the tutors. Make a long weekend of it and book an Read More
Come and try the Northumbrian Smallpipes in this special taster session for absolute beginners. If you've ever wanted to learn to play the Northumbrian pipes, it's a great introduction to this slightly mysterious instrument! Led by Francis Wood, we’ll have simple sets of teaching pipes available, designed for beginners. This is an excellent opportunity for Read More
Join us for an informal evening of music featuring tutors from the Halsway Northumbrian Smallpipes Weekend, and contributions from course participants and guests too. A celebration of all things NSP! Andy May was introduced to the smallpipes by his father Stan, later learning from Roland Lofthouse and Adrian Schofield, and from studying the recordings of Billy Read More
Come and try the Northumbrian Smallpipes in this special taster session for absolute beginners. If you've ever wanted to learn to play the Northumbrian pipes, it's a great introduction to this slightly mysterious instrument! Led by Francis Wood, we’ll have simple sets of teaching pipes available, designed for beginners. This is an excellent opportunity for Read More
A regular evening of music and song at Halsway Manor. Halsway Manor open their doors to all on the first Sunday evening of each month for an evening of folk and acoustic music. Singers and musicians of all abilities are invited. If you are curious about folk music and just want to listen with a Read More
This course is currently sold out. We do sometimes get cancellations - if you would like to be added to the waiting list, please contact us. A great event for all those who enjoy the high energy of contra and square dancing with a great caller and scintillating band! “Geoff Cubitt and ECDB are always a Read More
This course is currently sold out. We do sometimes get cancellations - if you would like to be added to the waiting list, please complete a booking form or contact us. Simon Mayor is beyond doubt this country’s finest mandolin player, moving effortlessly between classical, traditional folk, jazz & blues. His dazzling technical skills grace Read More
This course is currently sold out. We do sometimes get cancellations - if you would like to be added to the waiting list, please complete a booking form or contact us. Singers of all abilities are invited to join Hilary James and enjoy the pleasure of group singing as you discover the potential of your Read More
Tutors on this weekend's Mandolin and Voice Weekend, Simon Mayor and Hilary James, are joined by the Mellow Virginians Andy Baum and Richard Collins for a special evening performance. Simon Mayor will bring the hilarious banter and mandolin wizardry he is known for (he’s one of the world’s leading virtuosos, not to mention his fine Read More
This course is currently sold out. We do sometimes get cancellations - if you would like to be added to the waiting list, please contact us. Discover French dance or develop your dance horizons! Both experienced and novice French dancers are invited to a week of expert tuition led by Peter Clifton, and supported by Read More
As our French and Breton Dance Week draws to a close, you're invited to join our ace tutor team and the course participants for a French Bal. The teaching team of Peter Clifton, Karen Prager and Yannick Minvielle-Debat, and musicians Richard Heacock & Paul Hutchinson are joined tonight by special guest musicians Steve Tyler (hurdy Read More
Bill and Rosie's successful Halsway song weekends returns in 2024. Bill Crawford and Rosie Upton, assisted by Penny Rigby and Pete Macgregor will lead a weekend of traditional song for experienced singers (non-singing partners welcome). Join them, and friends old and new, for a weekend of singing, presentations and fun events. As always, Bill & Read More
Maddy Prior MBE and her daughter Rose-Ellen Kemp BSc (Hons) return to Halsway in 2024 for another song week dedicated to the voice. Maddy and Rose-Ellen have been teaching people and their voices at their own teaching centre, Stones Barn in Cumbria for many years, and we're delighted to host them in the South West. Read More
We’re delighted to welcome West Country Concertina Players to Halsway Manor to host a packed concertina workshop weekend for intermediate / advanced level players of all systems. You do not need to be a member of WCCP to come (though you might consider joining them – it’s only £10 annually); the weekend is open to all. Though Read More
Join us for a popular evening concert of folk music performed by tutors of the WCCP* Concertina weekend - Claire Wren, Brogan McAuliffe, Sandra Kerr and Iris Bishop. *West Country Concertina Players are a Club of friendly concertina enthusiasts formed in 1983 and one of very few teaching clubs in the country. They are joined by Read More
The Violin making workshops are extremely popular at Halsway Manor, with many of the participants coming back year after year. The workshop gives maximum continuous time at the workbench supported by Neville Gardner, who has been teaching violin making for the last twenty years. He is joined by Corrie Schrijver to ensure that there is Read More
Love dancing AND the great outdoors? This is the holiday week for you! Enjoy a light-hearted Springtime week of dancing, with opportunities to walk in the beautiful Quantock Hills each afternoon. Discover and learn about our beautiful local landscapes, while also brushing-up on your folk dance steps! We’re delighted to welcome back caller and keen Read More
Archie Churchill-Moss continues to support beginner melodeon players in these enjoyable once-a month workshops. Each 2.5 hour session will present a new challenge, with time for individual help to support less confident / less advanced players and to stretch more ambitious / more accomplished musicians. You'll be learning new tunes and techniques each month, while Read More
Archie's 'Getting Better' workshops aim to support and develop the skills of Improver and Intermediate level melodeon players in enjoyable workshop sessions. Each 2.5 hour session will present a new challenge, with time for individual help to support less confident / less advanced players and to stretch more ambitious / more accomplished musicians. You’ll be Read More
Develop your ensemble playing skills on this extended weekend course for musicians. Drawing on European folk/contemporary/popular music traditions we'll be making new arrangements that can go in any direction! We aim to explore and combine all sorts of influences and ideas to make spine tingling music that is more than the sum of the parts. Read More
Join us for an evening of European folk music with tutors from the Halsway European Weekend, and debut performances of new ensemble pieces created by course participants. German Diaz is one of the most influential musicians for the revival of the hurdy gurdy in Spain and for it´s place in contemporary music. He feels at home Read More