Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Proms 2008
Folk Day – Sunday 20 July
Update – 17 July 2008: this page has been updated to reflect changes to the details of some of the events.
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Following on from the success of Violins!! (2005), The Voice (2006) and last year's Brass Day, 2008 brings a day full of folk-influenced events taking place on Sunday 20 July in and around the Royal Albert Hall.
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This year's focus will be on the broader theme of folk music, reflecting the Proms' anniversary celebration of Vaughan Williams, himself an avid collector of folk songs. The event will involve as many different aspects of the folk world as can be squeezed into a single day, including playing, singing, dancing and composing.
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Geographically the emphasis will be on the British Isles, with ebullient group MuzsikΓ΅s from Hungary adding an Eastern European tang, while Kathryn Tickell and the young players from Folkestra, part of Folkworks at The Sage in Gateshead, lead the British contingent.
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The day sees the Proms' first free concert at the Royal Albert Hall (3.30–6.00pm) and culminates with an evening event including Bella Hardy, Martin Simpson and 11-piece band Bellowhead.
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- 10.00am–12noon: Proms Folk Family Chorus
Royal College of Music
The morning will focus on large-scale group events open to all – workshops with the Proms Folk Family Chorus, in which anyone can join up to 500 fellow singers to learn new folk-song arrangements, available to download online before the event. The songs will be performed alongside top folk singers in the Proms Folk In The Park event that afternoon.
- 10.00am–12noon: Proms Family Folk Orchestra
Royal College of Music
Join the Proms Folk Family Orchestra to create a folk-inspired premiere. Anyone with an instrument can bring it along and join the Proms Folk Family Orchestra.
- 12noon: Proms Folk In The Park
Proms Folk In The Park takes place around the bandstand in Kensington Gardens. If you would rather spectate than participate, in the afternoon the lawns surrounding the bandstand in Kensington Gardens will thrill to the sound of story-telling, small folk ensembles, fiddle sessions and even maypole dancing in the Proms' very own mini Folk Festival, including live performance from many of the day's top performers, as well as performances of traditional folk songs.
- 3.30–6.00pm, Royal Albert Hall, FREE
The Proms presents its first free Prom in the Royal Albert Hall, opening the doors wider than ever for audiences to discover and enjoy the unique Proms atmosphere. The London Sinfonietta, plus young musicians, will be joined by MuzsikΓ΅s and Folkestra in the world premiere of a brand-new arrangement, Confluence, by Kathryn Tickell for the finale of the event. The concert also features folk-inspired works by Grainger, Vaughan Williams, Berio and BartΓ³k.
Programme includes:
- Traditional folk songs
- Grainger and Vaughan Williams works inspired by folk music
- Berio folk songs
- BartΓ³k Romanian dances
- Kathryn Tickell new arrangement, Confluence - Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ commission: world premiere
Bella Hardy (singer), London Young Musicians; Folkestra; MuzsikΓ΅s; London Sinfonietta/Martyn Brabbyns
- 7.30–9.30pm, Royal Albert Hall
Following the free afternoon concert exploring how folk music has influenced classical composers, Proms Folk Day's evening concert focuses on artists who are continuing, reviving and reinterpreting the traditions of English folk music; featuring singer Bella Hardy, singer and guitarist Martin Simpson, and 11-piece big-band Bellowhead – winners of three Radio 2 Folk Awards.
To include sets by: Bella Hardy (singer); Martin Simpson (singer/guitar); Bellowhead
- 10.00–10.45pm: Ceilidh
Royal Albert Hall Arena
Join your partners in the Arena, or simply watch from your seat, as the London Lasses and Pete Quinn lead the dancing in an energetic final flourish to Proms Folk Day. Free to ticket-holders for the 7.30pm concert; dancers require a free dancing ticket, available from the Box Office (0845 401 5040).
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