Halsway Manor Singing Weekend & Rolling Harmony concert

We are excited to offer our first Songways singing weekend at Halsway Manor, the National Centre for Folk Arts, nestled at the foot of the Quantock Hills in Somerset (an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty).

Led by Jane Harris, Director of Songways and Pip Wright, guest tutor from Cornwall. 

We invite you to a joyous weekend learning and singing some of our favourite harmony songs from a wide range of traditions, including our own original compositions. Join us for a special weekend of song in a beautiful setting, hearty food and delightful accommodation. Open to all, songs & harmonies taught by ear and there is no need to read music.

We are thrilled that Jane’s vocal group, Rolling Harmony, will be performing at Halsway on the Saturday evening. Concert-only tickets are available here.

Friday 20 October 4pm to Sunday 22 October 2:30pm

TUTORS

The weekend will be led by Jane Harris, Director of Songways and Pip Wright, a singing leader, teacher and community musician based in West Cornwall. Jane and Pip love to collaborate and lead singing events together. They both play the fiddle and have a special musical bond, bringing much joy to all their music-making.

"Wonderful teaching… inspiring"
"Jane and Pip are two of the most gifted singers I have met… very enabling in so many ways"

Read about previous Songways singing weekends and retreats…

Jane Harris is an experienced choir leader and Director of Songways, based in Bath. She leads singing workshops and singing retreats in beautiful places, and thriving choirs in Bath and Bradford on Avon. With her lively, clear and enabling teaching style, Jane brings out the best in singers’ voices, with open, resonant, heart-felt singing. Jane teaches by ear and loves to explore songs in different ways to enrich and deepen the singing experience.

Jane writes original songs for choirs and has released her own album, One touch of nature. She also plays the violin which she will use to introduce some of the songs, and performs with her own vocal group, Rolling Harmony.

She is excited to be working with Pip again after their hugely successful Buckfast Abbey weekend in 2022.

"An exceptional teacher with a wonderful choice of songs"

Pip Wright is a choir leader and musician from Trevurvas, West Cornwall. She runs a couple of large community choirs: the Dawn Chorus and Levow an Bys (Voices of the World in Cornish). As well as teaching adults musicianship, Pip is passionate about singing for wellbeing and community. Having trained in Singing for the Brain and Singing for Lung Heath, she led the first groups in Cornwall for both fields.

Pip enjoys playing and singing many different genres of music including fiddling in Cornish bands, sessions and festivals and leading informal ‘Shout’ (traditional song) sessions in local pubs. Pip loves collaborating – especially with Jane in their shared love for songs and live music making.

"An excellent teacher – heart-warming, fun, uplifting, moving, inspiring"

ROLLING HARMONY

Rolling Harmony is an exciting vocal group of choir leaders and singers from the South West formed by Jane Harris, Director of Songways. They delight audiences with their vibrant and eclectic performances.

Songs with vibrant rhythms, compelling lyrics and interweaving vocal lines, rooted in English and American harmony singing traditions. Original compositions by Jane Harris, Ed Bersey and US composers, and traditional songs specially arranged by Rolling Harmony. A rich blend of voices, gorgeous vocal harmonies and additional instrumentals for some songs – there’s something for everyone…Comments from our audiences:

“An exquisite blend of voices and rich harmonies.”
 “Amazing – brilliant”
“A wonderful, uplifting experience” “
“Wonderful singing… loved the precision” “
“Stunning” 

SINGING WEEKEND INCLUDES:

• Full programme of singing and live music from Friday 4:30pm to Sunday 1pm led by Jane Harris and Pip Wright
• A chance to dance, play and/or listen to live music after dinner on Friday evening – easy Cornish dances (with Jane and Pip on fiddles). If you play an instrument you are welcome to join the band – sheet music with chords will be available.
• Songs with Spirit, Songs for the Soul – meditative harmony singing session with Pip
• Rolling Harmony concert on Saturday evening 8pm – also open to visitors – concert-only tickets are available here
• 2 nights’ accommodation in the manor or the mews (or non-residential option – limited numbers)
• Full board from Friday evening dinner to roast lunch on Sunday. Departure 2:30pm after Sunday lunch
• Spacious singing space in the Long Room
• Cosy and atmospheric bar and lounge
• Specially produced songbook with words for all the songs and some scores
• Tea and coffee refreshments
• Access to the delightful grounds
  

£275 - £365 per person depending on accommodation
£235 Camping per person including all meals - see below for camping information
£195 Non-residential including Friday evening dinner, Saturday lunch and dinner, and Sunday lunch

£100 per person non-returnable deposit 

SINGLE OCCUPANCY ROOMS
£365 Single occupancy of Double or Twin en-suite room
£335 Single occupancy of Double room with own sink, with shared bathroom facilities close by
£325 Single room with own sink, with shared bathroom facilities close by

DOUBLE & TWIN ROOMS
£335 per person Superior Double* or Twin* en-suite room
£305 per person Double* or Twin* en-suite room
£275 per person Twin* with own sink, with shared bathroom facilities close by

4-BED ROOMS
£275 per person Female place in a lovely spacious 4-bed room with own sink, on the first floor at the front of the Manor house, with beautiful views and shared bathroom facilities close by

*Please note that for shared Double and Twin rooms, both or all room places need to be booked at the same time

CAMPING
£235 per person including all meals
Camping in the beautiful six acre gardens is available and there are pitches for tents, caravans and camper vans. There are four power points, two in the water garden area and two by the manor and are available on a first come, first served basis. Campers are welcome to use the toilet and shower facilities in the house. There is a waste disposal point situated in the Water Gardens. Driving on the water garden is not advised in wet weather as the ground is very soft.

ABOUT HALSWAY MANOR

Halsway Manor is the heart and home of folk music. The manor hosts residential courses in folk music, song, dance, musicianship, folk art, storytelling, wellbeing and instrument making all year long. If you haven’t been before you are in for a treat! The medieval manor offers a unique space in which to learn from the professional artists who tutor here, develop your interest and meet like minded souls who share a love of folk music, dance and musicianship.

Halsway offers a warm and friendly welcome to guests staying for weekend or mid-week courses, and to visitors to special events (gigs, exhibitions and fayres). There are beautiful views of the surrounding area and six acres of beautiful grounds and gardens with direct access to the Quantock Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

There is free parking on site and Wifi.

OUTLINE OF THE WEEKEND

Friday 20 October
4pm Registration - rooms will be available from this time
4:30 - 6pm First singing session in the Long Room
6pm Bar open
6:30pm Dinner
8 - 9pm A chance to dance, play and/or listen to live music – easy Cornish dances (with Jane and Pip on fiddles). If you play an instrument you are welcome to join the band – sheet music with chords will be available.
The bar will be open for evening socialising.

Saturday 21 October 
9:30am - 12:45pm Singing in the Long Room led by Jane and Pip (with a break for tea/coffee)
1 - 2:15pm Lunch 
2:15 - 3:30pm Singing in the Long Room led by Jane and Pip
3:30pm Tea/coffee
4 - 5:15pm Songs with Spirit, Songs for the Soul – meditative harmony singing with Pip - or an option to take some free time for yourself
6pm Bar opens
6:30pm Dinner
8pm Rolling Harmony concert
The bar will be open for evening socialising.

Sunday 22 October
10am - 1pm Singing in the Long Room led by Jane and Pip  (with a break for tea/coffee)
1pm Lunch
2:30pm Depart

LOCATION

Halsway Manor. National Centre for Folk Arts. Halsway Lane, near Crowcombe, Somerset TA4 4BD
01984 618274
halswaymanor.org.uk

Halsway Manor is set just outside the West Somerset Village of Crowcombe at the foot of the Quantocks Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with many great walks on the doorstep. . Getting to Halsway is easy either by car, bus or train. It is only 20 minutes from the M5 motorway, there is a regular bus service and a train station in nearby Taunton with easy access to the rest of the country. More information and map

It's a stone’s throw away from many places of interest, including Dunster Castle, NT Selworthy Village, the West Somerset Steam Railway, Hestercombe Gardens, Coleridge Cottage. Exmoor and the West Somerset coast are just minutes away. It is also close to many places of interest to folk enthusiasts – including Watchet where Cecil Sharp collected many sea shanties, the ruins of the cottage where folklorist Ruth Tongue lived and the village where William Winter wrote down many fiddle tunes in the early 19th century. History is all around you with prehistoric sites on the Quantocks to fossil remains on the beach near Kilve. 

CANCELLATION POLICY

• £100 deposit is non-refundable.
• The balance is due by 1 August.
• If you cancel your booking after paying the balance but before 1 September: 75% refund of balance.
• If you cancel your booking after 1 September and we are able to fill the space with another person, we will refund 50% of your balance payment. If your place is not filled, no refund.
• If the event cannot take place due to the Covid situation or other circumstances, it will be postponed and your ticket will be valid for the future dates. In that situation, if you are unable to make the future dates, you will be entitled to a full refund.
• We recommend that you organise your own travel insurance.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• Do not attend if you have any Covid-19 symptoms, a recent positive Covid test or if you feel unwell.
• Please bring your own bottle of water.

DISCLAIMER 
You are responsible for your own health and safety at all times.

Halsway Manor

Halsway Manor is set in six acres of beautiful grounds and gardens.

The Great Hall

The view from the hill behind Halsway - about 15 minutes walk from the Manor