Village Carols singing workshop w. Rose-Ellen Kemp & Jerry King

9:45AM-4PM UPSTAIRS @ The Howard Arms, Brampton, Cumbria. £25 (Food not included but the pub does food and there are plenty of cafes and shops round about)

WHAT ARE VILLAGE CAROLS?

The glorious British tradition of singing Christmas carols in the pub has been happening since these carols were suddenly disallowed in the Anglican churches for being bawdy and profane (with the exception of 'While Shepherds Watched'. This is why there are so many tunes to that set of words!) The singing of Village Carols is a living tradition in the towns, cities and villages in and around Sheffield and Derbyshire and there are many planned events there every year. 

The compositions tends to be much more interesting than modern carols because they were written by a person/people in the village's congregations not a national church composer. This lead to great variation and wonderful uniqueness. They can be both very rousing and deeply majestic. 

Prof. Ian Russell (the main scholar on the genre/subject) was generous enough to come to Brampton in previous years and help us to start it up again here and Rose-Ellen and Jerry have decided to take up the mantle! Ian always insisted that he must always have a pint on the go when singing carols in the pub, no matter the time of day. He explained that there was to be no attempt at a blending of voices (such as in classical choral traditions) as everyone is just to sing in their own way, just as loud as they can. You also do not have to sing exactly what is on the page, there is room for creativity and self-expression. He also made it clear that some of the most passionate and dedicated singers of this tradition he knew were also the most staunch atheists he knew! This highlights just how inclusive it really is. It is an exercise in celebration, togetherness, heritage and most of all, FUN!

Musicians would be very welcome to come along to join the band and play the short 1-line 'symphonies' sections in between the verses of some of the pieces. 

Click below to watch a recording of the carol 'Pentonville'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARYA6slgnDM 

'Hail! Smiling Morn'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUNhLQtIeDc&list=RDoUNhLQtIeDc&start_radio=1