Wren Music Song School 2022 with Fay Hield

Monday 9 May 2022 @ 12:30 pm - Friday 13 May 2022 @ 1:30 pm
Ebenezer Hall, North Street, Devon, Okehampton, EX20 1AR

Wren Music Song School returns for 2022!

An immersive 5 day workshop for professional and amateur singers, led by Fay Hield, Marilyn Tucker, Paul Wilson and Sarah Owen
“I haven’t experienced a journey of folk education like it anywhere else”
— Sam Lee, Song School attendee & Mercury Prize nominated folk singer

The Wren Music Song School is an immersive five day experience for you to develop your singing, expand your folk repertoire and re-engage with your performance. We provide a supportive environment for discussions, performance, group activities and 1:1 tutorials. Each day will have a different focus and we’ll build on things we have leant in the previous days.

In the evenings you are encouraged to attend a variety of music events such as performances from other professionals. The next day we will reflect on what we watched.

The Wren Music Song School gives you time out to concentrate on your own singing: your voice, your performance and your folk repertoire.

“I was immersed!… I discovered my vocal range. I discovered lots of new friends and lots of new songs. Most importantly, I discovered that it’s ok to be myself.”
— Jane, Song School attendee & amateur folk singer

All attendees will receive personal 1:1 coaching with BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards winner, and folk music scholar, Fay Hield. Fay is a recording and touring musician as well as being Senior Lecturer in Ethnomusicology at the University of Sheffield. Her PhD is titled ‘English Folk Singing and the Construction of Community’. Learn more about Fay on her website

Fay is joined and supported by professional musicians and Wren team members Marilyn Tucker, Paul Wilson and Sarah Owen. Learn more about Marilyn, Paul and Sarah on our meet the team page.

Over the five days you can focus on your individual development to reawaken your voice from lockdown, and be ready for the year ahead.

The Song School will take place in Okehampton, a market town on the edge of Dartmoor National Park in Devon.

I came unsure of my voice, but left Song School feeling that I had heard my natural voice for the first time. It made me feel much more confident to explore my voice.
— Mel Biggs, Song School attendee & musician, performer and melodeon teacher

 

Standard price £299

Subsidies available for Professional Musicians (3 places) and those aged under 40 (3 places) at £99

If you wish to request a subsidised place, simply select this option when booking using the link at the top of this page.

Price includes tuition, resources, refreshments and lunch each day. Accommodation and other meals are not included.

 

Below are some FAQs.

If you have any other questions please contact us

How do I book my place?

Use the ‘Book Here’ button at the top of this page. You will be redirected to a booking page hosted in our Online Community. Pay to join this online group and you have confirmed your place at Song School 2022!

Where is the Song School held?

Song School is held in Okehampton, a town in West Devon on the edge of Dartmoor. Most of the sessions are held at the home of Wren Music, Ebenezer Hall, a converted chapel in the town centre. In the evenings we may visit other local venues together to enjoy music.

What are the dates and times of Song School?

Song School starts on Monday 09 May at 1.30pm. We will meet at Ebenezer Hall for a welcome lunch and to get to know each other. Song School ends on Friday 13 May at 12.30pm. Each day will run 9.00am to 5.00pm, with additional evening activities running approximately 6.00pm – 9.00pm.

Where can I find accommodation?

To offer you the best price, accommodation is not included in the price of Song School. Okehampton has some B&Bs and a youth hostel in the town. Additionally, there are budget hotels just 4 miles in either direction as well as campsites nearby.

What food is included in the price?

Lunch from Monday to Friday is included as well as refreshments throughout the day. You will need to source your own breakfast and evening meals. Some evenings will include visiting local venues to experience music where food and drink will be available to buy. We can cater for dietary requirements where declared in advance.

What is the Online Group for?

To book your place at Song School you will pay to join a group in our Online Community. Before the Song School starts, we will use this space to introduce ourselves, and you can introduce yourself to fellow Song School attendees. We may also host resources and materials here for you to download.

Do I have to attend every day?

Yes, you should attend every day of Song School. Each day will build on things you have learnt in the days before and you’ll be reflecting on your progress over the week.

Are the venues accessible?

Ebenezer Hall is a converted chapel and the main workshop space is up a flight of stairs. This is where most of the Song School will take place. Some of the venues we visit in the evenings to share music may also have stairs. If you have accessibility needs please let us know and we will do what we can to accommodate them.

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