Midsummer Melrose

This will be a bumper course, taking advantage of our extra summer venue - the Marquee Stage in the gardens (accessed by steps) - with opportunities for singers and instrumentalists to learn some new repertoire, while building on and developing their skills and techniques.

Workshops will include some ‘Challenge Yourself’ sessions to pull you out of your comfort zones, as well as progressive workshops looking at harmony, fiddle-singing, DG melodeon, and chords and rhythm on plucked instruments.

There’ll be the chance to work as a whole group on arrangements for performance at the Thursday Night Ceilidh floor spot!

If that all wasn’t enticing enough, Nancy will be talking about the ‘Music, Heritage, Place’ research project, highlighting hidden musical gems in the English County Records Archives, James will be leading a forum allowing participants to share their experiences and ask questions about live performance, Jess will be teaching rounds, then exploring the hows and whys of how these cyclical songs work (you can even have a go at writing your own), and Richard will be exploring approaches to playing for dancing.

You’ll be invited to watch the band do their thing both as a quartet at their gig, and in their extended quintet line-up with one of their amazing ceilidhs.

Who is it for?

This midweek course is suitable for singers and instrumentalists who consider themselves to be working at an Intermediate level. It’s not suitable for beginners, and if you consider yourself to be working at an Advanced level, you’ll have to be happy to go at a slower pace.

You don’t need to be able to read music, or play by ear. Although some sheet music will be available during the course, it won’t be sent out in advance. We’ll send you a timetable in advance, but you won’t be asked to prepare anything before you arrive. The band just ask that you come with open hearts and minds (and perhaps a large hat to shelter from the midsummer sun).

The Team

Melrose Quartet are Nancy Kerr (voice, fiddle), James Fagan (voice, bouzouki, guitar), Jess Arrowsmith (voice, fiddle) and Richard Arrowsmith (voice, melodeons). September 2023 saw the release of “Make The World Anew”, which went straight into the Official Folk Charts at Number 11, and followed the critical success of “Dominion” and “The Rudolph Variations.” Their debut album “Fifty Verses” was nominated for Best Album at the 2014 BBC Folk Awards. 

From deep roots in Sheffield’s vibrant music, song and dance scene, to concert appearances all over the UK, Melrose Quartet have forged a reputation for making music that truly connects with people. All four are internationally renowned singers, instrumentalists and writer/composers, respected teachers and the patrons of Whitby Folk Festival. 

Combining strong instrumentals especially inspired by English dance music with four-part harmony singing, Melrose Quartet are equally comfortable leading a chorus session as playing concert halls. A truly all-round act of the highest quality.