Letchworth Morris Musicians' Workshop

Letchworth Morris are arranging a musicians' workshop on Saturday 25^th March 2023. This is also the day of the Letchworth Ale and attendance at the Ale in the evening is optional and can be booked separately.

Music is an integral part of any performance of morris dancing and how it is played often influences whether the performance is good or bad.

The workshop will explore what makes for good morris music and the techniques that can help to achieve this, both when playing alone and in a group. Everybody is invited to share their insights and experiences and (if they wish) to demonstrate their own playing technique, which will differ according to instrument played and the type and “tradition” of the dance.

The focus will be very much on communication between musicians and the dancers, so the workshop will include dancing (set dances or jigs) as well as playing, and the dancers will be invited to give feedback (favourable or otherwise!). This will mainly involve solo players or small groups playing tunes of their choice that they already know, but will also include dances performed to “mass music”, a list of which will be sent out in advance, together with dots and chords. This will be an opportunity to try out some new techniques in both kinds of playing.

The workshop will take place on Saturday 25^th March at Ickleford Village Hall (82 Arlesey Road, Ickleford, SG5 3TG) between 10.00 am and 5.30 pm.  Tea and Coffee is available during the day and a light lunch will be served. The cost is £10.00 per person.

The workshop will be limited to 40 musicians on a ‘first come first served basis ’. To secure a place, please complete the following form and return to Andrew Harper, Bagman of Letchworth Morris, preferably by e mail to harperandrew937 [at] gmail [dot] com.

We will then confirm your place and provide you with payment details.

Application Form