Wow! What an amazing day our Wren Music Devon Youth Folk Ensemble experienced on the final day of the 2023 Devon County Show. The sun shone, and an estimated 32,000 people attended throughout the Saturday of the show on 20 May.
The ensemble, led by Wren Music professional musician Jon Dyer, performed on the bandstand stage, which was organised by the Devon and Torbay Music Hubs who support our ensemble and all the groups that performed on the stage during the day.
The Devon Youth Folk Ensemble performed four pieces and premiered their version of the traditional Dartmoor broom dance to finish off their set, which the crowds absolutely loved!
“There were quite a few nerves in the band as it was the first time many of them had performed at such a big event,” said Jon. “But as soon as they got on stage the nerves didn’t show and they performed a fantastic set.”
This was the first performance of a busy summer of gigs for the Devon Youth Folk Ensemble. Here’s where you can see them:
- Sunday 11 June: Exeter Respect Festival, Belmont Park, Exeter
- Sunday 9 July: Okehampton 400 Community Festival, Simmons Park, Okehampton
- Friday 30 June: The Lyric in Hammersmith, London, alongside Ethnic Contemporary Children’s Orchestra (ECCO)
- Monday 7 August: Sidmouth Folk Week, Blackmore Gardens, Sidmouth
- Sunday 13 August: Dartmoor Folk Festival, South Zeal, near Okehampton
- Friday 18 August: Purbeck Valley Folk Festival
Want to get involved with the Devon Youth Folk Ensemble, or have a teenager aged 13-18 who’d like to play and develop their folk music skills? Visit our website page to find out more.
