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A Brief History of Music
The latest show from acclaimed musicians Chris Green and Sophie Matthews takes in 600 years of musical history in 90 minutes!
Beginning in the Middle Ages and ending up in the 20th century (and incorporating everything in between!) this fun and fast-moving show is a whistle-stop tour of Western musical history.
Featuring long forgotten songs and tunes (not to mention jokes!) Chris and Sophie paint a vibrant and vivid picture of our musical DNA, mixing the familiar and the obscure, the raucous and the reflective and the courtly and the commonplace.
The show combines the vigour of the medieval period, the musical intricacy of the Renaissance, the grandeur of the Baroque and the pomp and bombast of Victoriana. Add to that the wit of Blackadder and 1066 And All That and the stage is set for a veritable musical feast!
Complete with a bewildering array of instruments such as cittern, rauschpfeife and virginal (and that’s just the first 100 years!) A Brief History of Music uses tunes, songs and humour to take you on a musical journey from which you won’t want to return!
'You guys are awesome!' Bill Barclay, Director of Music at Shakespeare's Globe
'Eclectic and enjoyable… a bewildering range of instruments' English Dance and Song Magazine
Studio
£16
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Ainsley Hamill
With Sam Kelly and Toby Shaer.
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One of the UK’s leading and most diverse singers, Ainsley has a long list of nods including the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year Finalist and Gaelic Singer of the Year Finalist at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards.
She represented Scotland at Eurovision in Gothenburg and has appeared at folk festivals the world over, including The Festival Interceltique de Lorient, Celtic Connections and du Bout du Monde for the last 10 years. Hamill has recently been included in The List’s 2024 Hot 100, of the most influential Scottish cultural contributors.
Hailing from the West Coast of Scotland, Ainsley specialises in song writing and songs in Scottish Gaelic and English. Her love of Gaelic song was nurtured whilst studying at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Trad roots are close to her heart. With this new album however, Ainsley is exploring new sounds and ideas as she pushes out from these roots to create personal material that encompasses big topics close to her heart, including feminism and equality, while unearthing forgotten stories and places that deserve a voice.
For many years Ainsley performed and toured with folk bands Barluath and made appearances with The Unusual Suspects. During this time, her accomplished song writing skills were evident in Barluath’s two studio albums; Source and At Dawn of Day as well as various singles including Touch the Gate and At the Fair.
Ainsley is a current member of folk band Fourth Moon, performing Gaelic, English and her own material, as well as step dancing.
‘Her voice thick with velvet and mirk…hovering between the comforting warmth of The Breath and the whip-smart forlorness of early Adele…Hamill has a big intriguing voice, it’s Scottishness ever present’ The Guardian
‘One of the best of her generation’ RnR Magazine
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£16 I £14 (Supporters)
Honey and The Bear
This British folk and roots duo bring folklore to life with delicately interweaving vocal harmonies inside a dynamic world of song writing.
With a diverse range of sounds and textures, and rhythms that flow from the fast and furious to gentle ballads, their live performances are spirited and enthralling. Conjuring stories in song, they tell tales of Suffolk folklore, courageous people they admire and their passion for nature, enchanting audiences up and down the country.
Honey and The Bear have been a tour de force on the UK festival circuit in recent years.
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Come prepared for an energising class that will also leave you feeling relaxed.
Age guidance: 18+ years
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Sat 11 Jan - 22 Feb (7 weeks)
Sat 8 Mar - 26 Apr (8 weeks)
£12.50 per session | £73.50 per 7 week course | £84 per 8 week course
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Event cinema screening.
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While assuming the role of a dutiful guardian in the country, Jack lets loose in town under a false identity. Meanwhile, his friend Algy adopts a similar facade. Hoping to impress two eligible ladies, the gentlemen find themselves caught in a web of lies they must carefully navigate.
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Run time 170 mins.
Courtyard Theatre Cinema
£16 | £13 Neon Members (free membership for ages 16 - 25)
Find out more about Neon Membership here.
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Local transport can be provided as part of the ticket price for those attending on a Wednesday.
If you need transport to Norden Farm for the Wednesday sessions please contact Jess Thompson at jess.thompson@nordenfarm.org / 01628 682563 to talk through your requirements.
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Bring water, a towel, wear dance sneakers or trainers.
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