WCCP Weekend

There are only shared rooms remaining on this course

We’re always delighted to host West Country Concertina Players at Halsway Manor for their packed concertina workshop weekend for intermediate and advanced level players of all systems. You do not need to be a member of WCCP to come (though you might consider joining them – it’s only £10 annually); the weekend is open to all, though this is a popular weekend and priority will be given to WCCP members through an opportunity to book early.

There will be time to relax in the comfort of Halsway Manor, with evening playing sessions in the bar, plus an informal tutors’ concert on the Saturday evening. There’s also the option to stay an extra night and book for Sunday supper and B&B – the perfect time to relax and unwind after a busy weekend of music and socialising.

The Team

Anglo – Harry Scurfield has been playing the anglo concertina for over 40 years, accompanying his own singing at folk clubs in Yorkshire and elsewhere, and playing mainly English traditional tunes in dance bands for many years. For well over 20 years – again on anglo – he headed “Bayou Gumbo”, an electric 5-piece, influenced by Louisiana’s Cajun and zydeco, and by blues, African and Caribbean music. He has led workshops, teaching at major U.K. concertina events, (Concertinas @ Witney, the Kilve Concertina Weekend, and the Swaledale Squeeze). He is always interested in what other players do with (to?) the instrument. From early on he began to develop what has been described as “a unique style” on the Anglo concertina. “Harry Scurfield is always great to listen to, doing things on a concertina that I doubt its inventor ever envisaged.”  (Brian Peters) This stems largely from a long and deep affection for early blues and jazz, with, more recently, Caribbean, French & African influences. Precedents for using the concertina in various forms of music do exist, going back many decades, and with thought and (occasional!) sensitivity, the Anglo can interpret a wide range of material. Harry has also contributed features, reviews and articles to local, national and international magazines (Tykes News; Froots; Concertina & Squeezebox; PICA). He researched the rich black South African “squashbox” concertina tradition (Michaelsteiner Konferenzberichte, 2002, and PICA), and a recent paper compared the development of that music with that of the astonishing tradition of the English concertina in Bolivia (Aberdeen University, 2015).

Duet - Sylvia Needham has performed in a duo alongside Keith Kendrick for many years, together they have a very wide-ranging repertoire, strong voices and an uncannily compatible and complimentary styles of delivery, affording an exciting enhancement in duo and produce striking acapella harmony. Keith and Sylvia sing mainly English traditional as well as traditionally influenced contemporary songs and work extensively all over the UK, Europe and beyond with collectively over 80 years performing experience (and neither yet walks with a stick!). Keith and Sylvia also frequently accompany themselves and play lively dance tunes on three different systems of the only English invented musical instrument – the Concertina. They are capable and experienced workshop leaders on those instruments and a variety of other folk skills such as: part singing from two to a full choir, sea songs & shanties, dance music and song accompaniment.

English - Alex Wade is an English concertina player and teacher based in Northumberland. Renowned for her dynamic and energetic playing style, she is also a professional music educator, with a wealth of teaching experience, and is in demand as a workshop leader across the UK and abroad, including work for Folkworks, the West Country Concertina Players and the Yorkshire Concertina Club. Alex is a lively, thoughtful and inspiring teacher, equally comfortable working with learners of all ages, and has worked with Dave Mallinson to produce a popular tutor book for the English Concertina. As well as having an innate understanding of traditional music, and being an award-winning dance musician, Alex has a BA in Music and MA in Musicology from Durham University, and works as a peripatetic woodwind teacher in schools across County Durham.

Concertina Band - Iain Masson is a composer and professional musician based in Birmingham, England. He is a graduate of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and the Royal Northern College of Music. He is Artistic Director and Brass Band Conductor of Dudley-based Black Country Brass and is a piano teacher to over 70 piano students in the West Midlands. His compositions have been played on BBC Radio 3, regional radio and in world class arts venues including the prestigious Bridgewater Hall, The Octagon, one of Britain's finest spaces, Brighton Corn Exchange, the Jacqueline du Pré Music Building, Hall One King's Place London, the Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall at the Martin Harris Centre, Kungliga Operan (Royal Swedish Opera) and the Italian Cultural Institute in Stockholm. His music has also been performed live in BBC Broadcasting House in central London. Performers who have performed Iain's music include The Brodsky Quartet, theatre actor Adam Linstead and Royal Northern College of Music New Ensemble. Iain Masson was proudly conferred with Honorary Membership of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire for services to music in 2015, and was granted Fellowship of the Guild of Musicians and Singers, presented to him at the Regent Hall in London in 2023.

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Concertina Care and Maintenance - Steve Dickinson has been making and repairing concertinas since 1975 when he acquired ownership of C Wheatstone & Co from Boosey & Hawkes (British Band Instruments).  His work entails manufacture of new Wheatstone instruments, and repair and restoration of all makes of traditionally made concertinas.