Shape Divider - Style zigzag
Performing 'Never Again' on the train from Sittingbourne to Sheerness-on-Sea - Sea Folk Sing (2018). Credit: Hope Fitzgerald
Sea Folk Sing is a choral production produced by SparkedEcho and commissioned by Ideas Test, which aims to involve more older people in the arts to improve health and wellbeing.
In 2018, the first year of the Sea Folk Sing project delivered a powerful and immersive music experience performed by older people in North Kent.
Never Again by Kent composer Emily Peasgood, commemorating 100 years since Armistice Day, was sung by 30 singers on the train route between Sittingbourne and Sheerness-on-Sea during Remembrance Sunday on 11 November. There was also a stop-off performance at Queenborough Station.
The final composition was inspired by stories and memories from the First World War, as well as content created by participants during workshops which took place over the summer. The Sea Folk Sing community choir which performed Never Again, was formed of local residents - some who had previously attended the creative workshops - and many with no experience of singing in a choir, or to a live public audience.
In total, ten performances took place during November across North Kent:
The 24 sound-based workshops delivered in Gravesend, Rochester, Sheerness and Sittingbourne, were led by local artists, that ranged from playing stringed instruments and songwriting, to digital live looping. The workshops explored themes including the journey from conflict to resolution, co-existence without fear and managing memory pathways.
In 2019, the second year of the project explores the theme of sea folklore in Kent. It is being programmed as a series of music workshops, new commissioned songs and ambitious site-specific performances. See more about The Changing of the Tide.
Sea Folk Sing is supported by the Celebrating Age programme, funded jointly by Arts Council England and The Baring Foundation with further funding from Kent County Council, Optivo and Involving Medway. The performances in 2018 were a partnership with Kent Community Rail Partnership, The Historic Dockyard Chatham and Medway Council.
In 2018, the first year of the Sea Folk Sing project delivered a powerful and immersive music experience performed by older people in North Kent.
Never Again by Kent composer Emily Peasgood, commemorating 100 years since Armistice Day, was sung by 30 singers on the train route between Sittingbourne and Sheerness-on-Sea during Remembrance Sunday on 11 November. There was also a stop-off performance at Queenborough Station.
The final composition was inspired by stories and memories from the First World War, as well as content created by participants during workshops which took place over the summer. The Sea Folk Sing community choir which performed Never Again, was formed of local residents - some who had previously attended the creative workshops - and many with no experience of singing in a choir, or to a live public audience.
In total, ten performances took place during November across North Kent:
- on the train route between Sittingbourne and Sheerness-on-Sea
- on and around Strood Station
- at the Historic Dockyard Chatham, including a live stream on YouTube
The 24 sound-based workshops delivered in Gravesend, Rochester, Sheerness and Sittingbourne, were led by local artists, that ranged from playing stringed instruments and songwriting, to digital live looping. The workshops explored themes including the journey from conflict to resolution, co-existence without fear and managing memory pathways.
In 2019, the second year of the project explores the theme of sea folklore in Kent. It is being programmed as a series of music workshops, new commissioned songs and ambitious site-specific performances. See more about The Changing of the Tide.
Sea Folk Sing is supported by the Celebrating Age programme, funded jointly by Arts Council England and The Baring Foundation with further funding from Kent County Council, Optivo and Involving Medway. The performances in 2018 were a partnership with Kent Community Rail Partnership, The Historic Dockyard Chatham and Medway Council.
2018 performances
Artists involved in 2018
From top left clockwise: Emily Peasgood, Tania Holland Williams, Kevin Grist, Liz Hayward, Paul Simmonds, Naomi Bedford, Bella Emerson, Jane Pitt
Hear the artist podcasts
Gallery
Production notes
SparkedEcho and Ideas Test present Sea Folk Sing - Never Again (2018)
Commissioned by: Lucy Medhurst, Ideas Test
Producers: Kevin Grist and Janet Moore
Assistant Producers: Ideas Test team
Artistic Director: Tania Holland-Williams
Artists: Naomi Bedford, Paul Simmonds, Bela Emerson, Liz Hayward, Jane Pitt, Kevin Grist
Music: 'Never Again' by Emily Peasgood
Lyrics: Emily Peasgood and Kate Lynn-Devere
Inspired by stories from participants of the Sea Folk Sing workshops, summer 2018
Running time: 20 minutes
Volunteers: Jackie Lawrence and Bethan Jones
Evaluators: Trish Vella-Burrows and University of the Third Age
Images: Greg Stobbs - squirlart.org and D.Price - kentww1.com
Photography: Hope Fitzgerald and Liz Hayward
Musician: Bob Carling
AV Technicians: Mic Adlington and Liz Hayward
Funders and supporters: Arts Council England, The Baring Foundation, Kent County Council, Optivo, Involving Medway, KentWW1.com, Age UK Medway, Rochester Cathedral, St. Michael's Church Sittingbourne, Castle Connections, Kent Community Rail Partnership, Southeastern, The Historic Dockyard Chatham, The Brook Theatre and Medway Council
Commissioned by: Lucy Medhurst, Ideas Test
Producers: Kevin Grist and Janet Moore
Assistant Producers: Ideas Test team
Artistic Director: Tania Holland-Williams
Artists: Naomi Bedford, Paul Simmonds, Bela Emerson, Liz Hayward, Jane Pitt, Kevin Grist
Music: 'Never Again' by Emily Peasgood
Lyrics: Emily Peasgood and Kate Lynn-Devere
Inspired by stories from participants of the Sea Folk Sing workshops, summer 2018
Running time: 20 minutes
Volunteers: Jackie Lawrence and Bethan Jones
Evaluators: Trish Vella-Burrows and University of the Third Age
Images: Greg Stobbs - squirlart.org and D.Price - kentww1.com
Photography: Hope Fitzgerald and Liz Hayward
Musician: Bob Carling
AV Technicians: Mic Adlington and Liz Hayward
Funders and supporters: Arts Council England, The Baring Foundation, Kent County Council, Optivo, Involving Medway, KentWW1.com, Age UK Medway, Rochester Cathedral, St. Michael's Church Sittingbourne, Castle Connections, Kent Community Rail Partnership, Southeastern, The Historic Dockyard Chatham, The Brook Theatre and Medway Council
Testimonials
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Never Again is a thought-provoking piece. It transforms the audience to 100 years ago. It features sound recordings from the First World War to create an experience for visitors, while drawing parallels with the political climate today.
Emily Peasgood, Composer
Emily Peasgood / Composer
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Inspired, motivated, happy, joyous... I’m now looking for more opportunities to participate in community events as a result of the Sea Folk Sing experience.
Choral singer
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During 2018, people across North Kent - from Gravesham through Medway, to Sittingbourne and Sheerness - have been on a journey. Their voyage has taken them into new musical terrain, unearthed personal histories and exposed new approaches to resolving discord.
Tania Holland Williams, Artistic Director
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There was a significant change to my wellbeing - excitement, delight in the co-operation across communities, meeting new people and singing at different places to perform.
Choral singer
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I liked that it was so immersive - face to face, live music combined with soundscapes. Definitely elements of intimacy, directness and passion in the performances.
Audience member
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Never Again is a powerful work that explores elements of the war that include loss in No Man's land, women's rights, rationing, daily life for local people, peace and recovery. It is a beautiful, powerful and controversial work.
Kent Community Rail Partnership
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The passion and emotion it evoked - it was so enjoyable meeting so many wonderful people. Being part of a community-based collaboration and respecting the experience of all those impacted by WW1 was the highlight.
Choral singer
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A very fabulous session today, we got to co-write a folk song with other group members - and artists Naomi Bedford and Paul Simmonds. After writing the main song, Tania asked if they'd do a verse or two of the poem I'd submitted to the project a few weeks ago. It was thrilling to hear my words sung and played by a professional folk duo!
Creative workshop participant
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Funders & supporters
Join the 2019 community chorus
Love to explore sea folklore? To sing in this years' production - click here
