English Village Carols
Come explore a fantastic selection of seasonal carols from the UK, most famously from Sheffield. New this year, we will be teaching carols in 4 parts to suit more people’s ranges. These are carols with exceptionally catchy tunes: some rowdy, some haunting and somber. Many have fantastic fugal entries and all are a joy to sing. Many have religious texts, although this is now a secular tradition. There will be familiar lyrics, obscure lyrics, and some lyrics that appear to have no festive content whatsoever. There is plenty of repetition for ease of joining in and gorgeous rich chords throughout.
This unique repertoire of seasonal carols became separated from the church, and are still kept alive by communities in pubs and on the street. Besides Sheffield, they are also found in Derbyshire, Somerset, Dorset, Nottinghamshire – and in Glen Rock, PA! Singers may recognize some of these carols from Revels North, Nowell Sing We Clear, or Welcome Yule. Some carols will be familiar to English folk enthusiasts while others will be brand new to everyone.
Teaching will be “by ear,” no music reading skills required to participate, however printed music will be available for those who find it helpful. Participants will learn melody and alto, tenor, or bass lines, plus be welcome to add additional harmonies, in preparation for some village carol sings in local pubs in December. Please note this is not a choir, it is a learning group with the opportunity to anchor a fabulous community sing at which all are welcome!
The class will culminate with a pub sing scheduled at a local pub in December, which is open to the public to join in. Date and time TBA.
Guest Instructors
Laurel Swift is a musician, singer, dancer, and an inspiring instigator of creative new projects and performances rooted in the folk arts. Laurel performs on double bass and clogs with her band Gadarene and plays fiddle with ceilidh band The Gloworms. Laurel has choreographed and devised national touring dance productions for Morris Offspring, co-created and performed Under Her Skin with Debs Newbold, advised theatre and film companies on using folk music and dance material, performed and taught at festivals in the UK and America, founded an organization to develop youth folk arts projects, teaches and contributes to education projects in the UK. Since arriving in the USA a few years ago, she has performed in both Revels Boston and Revels North, played for a bunch of exhilarating ceilidhs, sing with Sing Nowell, and taught fiddle, song, morris and clog at camps and local events!
Alex Cumming (she/they) is a traditional singer, accordionist, pianist, and dance caller originally from Somerset, England, now based in Brattleboro, Vermont. With over a decade and a half of experience, Alex has performed extensively across the UK and the US, bringing traditional songs and tunes to life with her engaging stage presence and deep knowledge of folk traditions. Alex is also known for their work with award winning a Capella band The Teacups; concert, duo Alex & Audrey; celtic trio Bellwether (ft. Eric McDonald & Louise Bichan); and the Red Case Band. She is the former Artistic Director of Revels North in Lebanon NH.