Many of The Sage Gateshead's folk events continue under the name of Folkworks, providing opportunities to watch, listen and participate in traditional music, song and dance.
Programme
The Sage Gateshead's Folkworks programme aims to develop interest and practical involvement in traditional music, song and dance. This is done through various activities, including unique performances, one-day workouts, weekly classes, weekend courses and three week-long Summer Schools, for all ages.
Folkworks Artistic Director
Kathryn Tickell, world-renowned Northumbrian piper, was recently appointed Artistic Director of Folkworks taking over the baton from Alistair Anderson in September 2009. In this role, Kathryn will be responsible for providing artistic leadership, advice and inspiration for the folk music programme within The Sage Gateshead, and for other Folkworks projects taking place regionally, nationally and internationally, including the annual programme of Summer Schools, and The Sage Gateshead's high energy youth folk ensemble, Folkestra, which was a smash hit at their televised 2008 BBC Proms debut at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
History
Folkworks was established in 1988 by Ros Rigby OBE and Alistair Anderson, and quickly became England's leading folk music development agency. Folkworks was a lead partner in the development of The Sage Gateshead and is now fully integrated into its management structure.
Folkworks' early achievement in establishing Folk and Traditional music centre-stage in the concert halls of the world alongside classical, rock and world music, often bringing together musicians from different, complementary backgrounds, grew from a programme that included the promotion of regional and national tours, international collaborations, festivals, training for teachers and schools, and establishing a youth summer school which has inspired thousands of young musicians, some of whom, such as Nancy Kerr, Robert Harbron, Rachel and Becky Unthank and others, have gone on to make professional careers in music.
Today and Tomorrow
Folkworks events continue to include many that have been running successfully for a long time: annual Summer Schools for junior, youth and adult participants; Caedmon Folk (weekly music, song and dance classes); festivals including The Hexham Gathering and The Durham Gathering. There is an extensive programme of work in schools; part of The Sage Gateshead's vast Learning and Participation programme across the region. In 2001, The Sage Gateshead and the University of Newcastle launched England's first ever Folk and Traditional Music Degree Programme. Our fantastic new building has given us the opportunity to present an incredible range of Folkworks events in both Hall One and Hall Two. Since opening, visiting artists included bellowhead, Blazin' Fiddles, Eliza Carthy, Barbara Dickson, Bob Fox, Vin Garbutt, Karine Polwart, Maddy Prior, Kate Rusby, Richard Thompson, Varttina and many more.
Folkworks Communities & online information
ExploreMusic, our resident music information and library service run by Gateshead Council, provides a range of folk information online as well as an online community. This includes forums, galleries, sound files, features on tutors and blogs for those who attend Folkworks activities.
ExploreMusic also manages FARNE (Folk Archive Resources North East); a rich archive of manuscripts, song lyrics, recordings and photographs bringing to life the amazing musical tradition of North East England. Together, these areas are fast becoming the hub of all of the latest online folk information and news with What's On listings for the region thrown into the mix. Visit ExploreMusic and click on 'Folkworks Communities'.
