Write new folk songs for North Kent performances by the sea

Sea Folk Sing (2018). Credit: Gregg Stobbs - squirlart.org

By Janet Moore - Director - SparkedEcho

​We're excited to have been commissioned again by Ideas Test to produce this year's Sea Folk Sing project. The project aims to improve the wellbeing of older people through music.

This year will feature 9 ambitious site-specific performances, a virtual choir and 18 workshop opportunities to co-write new folk songs with established artists. 

If you're aged 55 and over and interested in the maritime history and sea folklore of North Kent, take part in our workshops beginning on 2 July 2019. Help write new songs that will be performed in public later this year by the Sea Folk Sing community choir, which you can also join!

​What is it?
The Sea Folk Sing workshops run for 9-weeks and are part of a wider project that aims to improve the wellbeing of older people through singing, storytelling and song.

In these fascinating workshops, participants will get the chance to explore local history, diverse heritage and folklore, drawing on stories related to the North Kent coast. They will develop creative skills in songwriting, poetry, lyrics, singing and storytelling, working with professional musicians.

The sessions will be informal with the emphasis on having fun. There is no need to have any previous experience of music or history. We will provide all equipment and materials.

Suitable for:
These workshops are tailored for people aged 55+ but are open to anyone aged 16 and over.

Locations:
The Sunlight Centre
105 Richmond Road, Gillingham, ME7 1LX, UK

Sheerness East Working Mens Club & Institute
47 Queenborough Road, Minster on Sea, Sheerness, ME12 3BZ, UK

When:
Workshops are taking place on Tuesdays during July and August 2019, on the following dates -
July: 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30
August: 6, 13, 20 and 27

The Sunlight Centre workshops will be from 10am - 12pm, and the sessions at Sheerness East Working Men's Club & Institute will run from 2.30pm - 4.30pm.

Tickets:
The workshops are free.

How to book:
If you are interested in coming, please email seafolksing@ideastest.co.uk or call Ideas Test on 07713 865955.

More info about the project is here: sparkedecho.org/sea-folk-sing

Who will be leading the workshops?
Debbie Sowter, Choral Director is an experienced choral animateur from Rochester, is the founder of Together Talking Music specialising in voice therapy and inclusive arts projects, including work with Chickenshed Inclusive Theatre Company.

Bob Carling, Music Leader is a folk musician and songwriter from Gillingham, who plays guitar in the Acoustic Architects and is Co-Director of the Hopping Down folk group and Oast House Community Choir.

Anil Sebastian, Songwriter is an established singer, producer and composer based in Folkestone, who founded the London Contemporary Voices Choir and has collaborated with Imogen Heap, Sam Smith and Alt-J.

Lucky Moyo, Songwriter is an experienced community musician, dancer and songwriter in Sittingbourne, is a founding member of Zimbabwean group Black Umfolosi and has performed with Peter Gabriel and Jimmy Cliff.

Naomi Bedford and Paul Simmonds, Songwriters are a critically-acclaimed folk duo from Sussex, whose collaborations include working with Shirley Collins, Orbital and Justin Currie. Paul is the principle songwriter of cult folk band The Men They Couldn’t Hang.

Mona Whitton, Event Artist is an artist, author and illustrator from Medway, who is behind the published children’s book series Twit and Twoo, and delivers Art and Design Technology courses at Rivermead Inclusive Trust.

Who is Sea Folk Sing managed by?
SparkedEcho have been commissioned by Ideas Test to produce the Sea Folk Sing project.

Sea Folk Sing is kindly funded by Arts Council England, The Baring Foundation, Optivio, Kent County Council and Involving Medway.

Keep up to date with this year's production - The Changing of the Tide - via our webpage or What's on listings, and news on how to be a part of the community choir.