A festive concert of ‘Somerset Folk Songs for Midwinter’ will take place at Halsway Manor on Saturday 1 December at 8pm. The concert will bring together the talents of folk singer and musician James Findlay, and Yvette Staelens and the Halsway Morning Choir.
Winner of the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards in 2010, James Findlay has an extraordinary repertoire of mostly traditional songs which strongly link to his West Country roots, with a charmingly simple performance style that let the songs speak for themselves.
He is signed by leading Folk Music label Fellside and has to date released two acclaimed albums, ‘Sport & Play’ and ‘Another Day, Another Story’. English Dance & Song noted his ‘great voice’, and R2 magazine commented that ‘Findlay is a singer of rare strength and conviction’. James has rapidly established himself as one of the leading young Folk performers, lately securing a place in the MOJO Top Ten Folk Albums of 2012.
Yvette Staelens is well known as a Natural Voice practitioner who firmly believes that everyone can sing. She leads singing workshops, directs Community choirs and is a musician and composer. Yvette also publishes, performs and lectures internationally specialising in English folk song. Earlier this year she formed ‘Halsway Morning Choir’, who meet at Halsway Manor on Monday mornings to sing together (new members are always welcome!). Numbers will be swelled ont he evening by members of Yvette’s other Somerset choirs, who have been learning a shared repertoire of traditional Somerset song in preparation for this performance.
Halsway Manor, National Centre for Folk Arts, has been established as a Charity since 1965. Nestling at the foot of the Quantock Hills between Bicknoller and Crowcombe, Halsway Manor provides a year-round programme of events and activities in traditional folk music, dance, song, storytelling, folklore and related arts and crafts. All are welcome.
Tickets for the concert are priced £10 (£4 for 16 years old and under) and can be booked in advance by calling 01984 618274.
Further information:
www.halswaymanor.org.uk