National Youth Folk Ensemble with guests The Melrose Quartet & Folkestra

This evening is presented by the English Folk Dance and Song Society.

The National Youth Folk Ensemble 

The National Youth Folk Ensemble brings together talented young folk musicians from across England. They create their own contemporary takes on traditional tunes from Britain and beyond, with a sound that is distinctive, joyful, and diverse.

The Ensemble aims to nurture their talents, aspirations, and creativity, enabling them to develop into folk performers, educators and leaders of the future. 

These exceptional 14-19 year olds meet four times a year for intensive weeks of music-making, led by Artistic Director Jo Freya with top musicians and educators including Miranda Rutter, Rob Harbron, Adriano Adewale and Nancy Kerr.

Join us to hear music created and performed by these rising stars!

Melrose Quartet

Sheffield-based Melrose Quartet present powerful settings of traditional material alongside some of the best modern songwriting and composition coming out of the folk world. 

Renowned performers Nancy Kerr, James Fagan, and Jess and Richard Arrowsmith have become known and loved internationally for their tight harmony song and energised, dance-inspired instrumentals.

Following the Folk Chart success of 2023 album “Make the World Anew”, they are delighted to be visiting the North-East to especially premiere materials from the new AHRC-supported project “Music Heritage Place” which hears them uncovering gems from hundreds of years of musical history to inspire a new generation of musicians of all ages across communities in present-day England.

Folkestra

Folkestra is a vibrant group of young folk musicians from the North East, playing original music and new arrangements.They were founded by North East folk legend Kathryn Tickell, and have been working with renowned piper Andy May since 2022.