Sea Folk Sing
Performing 'Never Again' on the train from Sittingbourne to Sheerness-on-Sea (2018). Credit: Hope Fitzgerald
Sea Folk Sing is a choral production commissioned by Ideas Test and produced by SparkedEcho, which aims to involve more older people in the arts to improve health and wellbeing.
Now in its second year, 2019 is set to explore the theme of sea folklore in Kent. It will be programmed as a series of music workshops, new commissioned songs and ambitious site-specific performances.
In 2018, the project delivered a powerful and immersive music experience performed by older people in North Kent. Never Again by Kent composer Emily Peasgood was sung by 30 local singers on the train route between Sittingbourne and Sheerness-on-Sea during Remembrance Sunday on 11th November.
The songs were inspired by stories from the First World War, compiled by local people who explored the theme of peace and reconciliation in workshops over the summer. There was also a stop-off performance at Queenborough Station.
“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
"During 2018, people across North Kent, from Gravesham through Medway to Sittingbourne and Sheerness, went on a journey. Their voyage took them to new musical terrain, unearthed personal histories and exposed new approaches to resolving discord." - Tania Holland Williams, Artistic Director
In total, ten performances took place during November across North Kent:
There were also 24 sound-based workshops delivered in Gravesend, Rochester, Sheerness and Sittingbourne, led by local artists, that ranged from playing stringed instruments and songwriting, to digital live looping. The materials, recordings, produced
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.
Now in its second year, 2019 is set to explore the theme of sea folklore in Kent. It will be programmed as a series of music workshops, new commissioned songs and ambitious site-specific performances.
In 2018, the project delivered a powerful and immersive music experience performed by older people in North Kent. Never Again by Kent composer Emily Peasgood was sung by 30 local singers on the train route between Sittingbourne and Sheerness-on-Sea during Remembrance Sunday on 11th November.
The songs were inspired by stories from the First World War, compiled by local people who explored the theme of peace and reconciliation in workshops over the summer. There was also a stop-off performance at Queenborough Station.
“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
"During 2018, people across North Kent, from Gravesham through Medway to Sittingbourne and Sheerness, went on a journey. Their voyage took them to new musical terrain, unearthed personal histories and exposed new approaches to resolving discord." - Tania Holland Williams, Artistic Director
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
There were also 24 sound-based workshops delivered in Gravesend, Rochester, Sheerness and Sittingbourne, led by local artists, that ranged from playing stringed instruments and songwriting, to digital live looping. The materials, recordings, produced
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.
