Midwinter Folksongs

Through singing, storytelling, and musical exploration, we will delve into seasonal songs and stories, long-forgotten carol tunes, and ancient yuletide traditions that were passed down through generations.

Join award-winning folk singer and musician Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne to explore the thrilling world of midwinter folksongs. This course, open to singers of any ability, will guide participants through a raft of old-favourite and less-familiar seasonal songs, and uncover some of the ancient holiday traditions of England.

Working in an intimate group setting, participants will learn a wealth of traditional festive melodies and be guided through the history, cultural context, and local variations that give these Christmas folksongs their timeless charm. 

The course is open to singers of all levels, and the songs will primarily be taught by ear, with no obligation for participants to be fluent in reading written music. 

By the end of the course, you will:

• Be able to sing a selection of traditional midwinter folksongs with confidence.
• Have explored the history and context behind midwinter folksongs, as well as folksong more generally in England.
• Have gained confidence in singing in a group setting.
• Have increased confidence in the techniques of storytelling through song.
• Have made considerations for the styles and approaches associated with the singing of traditional songs.

This course will be a small group - no more than ten people - so you'll work closely with Cohen to explore the world of midwinter folksongs. The teaching will mostly be in a one-on-one format, though their may be options for individual working and/or smaller group collaborations. 

This course is for singers of all abilities, including non-trained singers and people who haven't sung for a long time, with the primary focus on exploring midwinter repertoire and traditions rather than specifically vocal technique.

The course is mostly about singing, though there will be opportunities to explore some simple instrumental parts to some songs if participants wish to bring their own instruments (this is entirely optional).

The course will primarily be taught by ear, written music will be available where appropriate, though the ability to read music is not required. 

Repertoire will be taught by ear during the sessions, though written music will be provided during the sessions where appropriate and where needed by participants. 

It is useful to know the current singing experience of the participants (especially relevant folksong experience) though this is not essential.