Enjoy Breton music and dance in Newton on the Moor on Thursday April 18. Workshop and dance / concert. See the calendar for the information
Our Gilbert and Sullivan weekend workshop is coming up at the end of the month. Do come and enjoy seeing and hearing what we've managed to put together in a very short space of time, when we present a run through of “Iolanthe” at 3pm on Sunday April 28 in Felton Village Hall. It'll take about an hour and admission is free. Maybe we can tempt you to take part next year.
On May 4th many of us will be at the Village Hall remembering Bob George and celebrating his life with music and conviviality. It's wear something pink, but, sadly, if you haven't already got a ticket you are probably not able to come along – every seat is full.
There's no Regency Ball this year – we want to keep things a bit varied, but we're looking at organising a le Ceildih-come-Cabaret in the early autumn. French folk dances – easy to learn and enjoy and various spots with a French theme. Bring your own baguette. More information soon.
Drop In Singing moves to its summer pattern in May. We'll be meeting on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month until September when get-togethers are weekly again. Check out the calendar for topics and to confirm the dates.
Remember that the calendar summarises what's happened at each Music Saturday session and includes suggestions for what you might prepare for next time.
Hazel Metherell is exploring the possibility of setting up a Dance Club. This is not a class, but a chance to share knowledge with each other about all sorts of different types of dance. She'd love it if musicians were an integral part of the process – and of course you might be a dancing musician. Maybe a new dance piece created in conversation with the music. It sounds very exciting - collaborative and creative, and will be accessible to all, whatever their abilities. At the moment she's trying to find out who's interested before going on to seek when it could happen. Interested? If you don't have Hazel's contact details, email felton4music@gmail.com and I'll put you in touch with her.
Let’s talk about brain cells! The latest research tells us that we go on growing new ones throughout life, unless we are unfortunate enough to develop Alzheimers. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-019-0375-9
It's not too late to join the team for Iolanthe, Felton Music's Gilbert and Sullivan In A Weekend at the end of April. Meet everyone on Friday evening and meet the challenge of putting together an informal show on Sunday afternoon. Sing lots or just a little, solos or one of the crowd, read a part, offer ideas or just be around.
Music Saturday on April 13, starting with Sight Singing and wrapping up with Swedish Folk Music. Details of what will be happening in each session is on the calendar.
MadriGals will soon be meeting up again for their summer season. This time we're going to take our singing to different places to sing for our own pleasure. Rehearsals on Sunday evenings to learn a small repertoire in 2 and 3 parts. Women's voices. Details soon on the website.
Module 1 of the revised Music Literacy Course has almost finished. 16 people have attended 3 sessions and practised at home, getting much better at pitching notes and doing more than one thing at a time. It looks as though Module 2 will run soon. Check out the information on the website for more details
Make contact if you are interested in any of the modules.
Click on any Drop In Singing date on the calendar to see what that weeks theme theme is going to be
The first 'on-line' planning meeting was held earlier this month confirming that the proven format of previous years and various feedback comments will be added to 'Feltonbury2019'.
Slots are staring to fill in the timetable - get in touch soon if you want to be involved.
As in previous years we are planning several venues
a) The Bridge
b) Felton Village Hall
c) Gallery 45 (indoors)
d) Gallery 45 Courtyard
e) Gallery 45 'Long Room'
f) The Old Bank and, this year
g) in a 'bell-tent venue' on 'The Plot' - the Community Allotment space. The Foxes Den is a new venue and we will also discuss the best way to use the Northumberland Arms - inside and/or outside.
'The Bridge' is an ideal focal point in the village and there have had great performances there in the rain, wind - and most effectively in the hot sunshine. The Gallery45 Courtyard is a great venue as is the Long Room directly above it- but we will make sure that there is no clash of music schedules.
We have high expectations of 'The Plot' - but it is going to need some effort to make it what we are after. All of the outdoor venues are heavily dependent on good weather but, as in previous years, we will have wet-weather alternatives in place for each outdoor venue as a 'back-up' plan.
The ‘Stag Head Beer Tent’ in Gallery 45 Courtyard proved to be a significant success and will be repeated; however, minor amendments will be introduced to ensure that all musical performances get a ‘fair hearing’ - i.e. we won't have conflict between the Long Room and the Courtyard - and we will endeavour to make sure that Courtyard performers are listened to.
Follow Feltonbury 2019 on Facebook
Two great join in and sing opportunities are coming to the village. On Saturday February 23, Felton Film Club is presenting an ABBA double bill at the Village Hall. The first film starts at 6 pm and the second at 8.30. The words are on screen, so it's easy to sing along and everyone is welcome. The Flying Fryer will be outside, so you can fortify yourself at the interval, and the bar is open throughout. £3 if you want to come to one film, £5 for both. What a bargain! Pay at the door.
On the morning of Saturday March 2 it's all our own work – “Guys and Dolls” is our musical in a morning. 9.30 – 12.30. £5 each. At the Village Hall as usual. If you don't know what we do, take a look at the Musical in a Morning page.
Ensuring you don't get withdrawal symptoms facing a Saturday without music – March 9 is the next Music Saturday. Click here for more details about what we'll be doing. There's a new workshop – An Introduction to Swedish Music with Chris Metherell. 3.30 – 5pm. Suitable for any instruments. Give it a go! (Village Hall yet again).
The Iolanthe scores have arrived! Our 4th Gilbert and Sullivan in a Weekend workshop starts on the evening of Friday 26 April. Email now to book your place. See the Gilbert and Sullivan page for more information.
Click on any Drop In date on the calendar to see what the theme is going to be.
Numbers visiting the Felton Music Facebook page are increasing. Hazel Makepeace has kindly started this and keeps it up to date. If you haven't taken a look yet, it's www.facebook.com/groups/2301881236700497.
It’s official - Feltonbury 2019 is happening!
Saturday 22nd June, 2019 is the date and the planning process gets underway. The event has become a village social landmark in the space of a very short period of time - and we intend keeping improving the quality of the day's activities. Each year we have had a different focus and this year is no change - whilst simultaneously retaining the popular 'favourites' in their known slots.
As in previous years there are several existing and new venues:
a) The Bridge
b) Northumberland Arms and it's car park
c) Felton Village Hall
d) Gallery 45 (indoors)
e) Gallery 45 Courtyard
f) The Old Bank
g) On 'The Plot' - the Community Allotment space, in a 'bell-tent venue'
'The Bridge' is an ideal focal point in the village and there have had great performances there in the rain, wind - and most effectively in the hot sunshine. The Gallery45 Courtyard is a great venue as is the Long Room directly above it. We had high expectations of 'The Plot' last year - and they were fulfilled with an over-subscribed yoga session. All of the outdoor venues are heavily dependent on good weather but, as in previous years, we will have wet-weather alternatives in place for each outdoor venue as a 'back-up' plan.
The ‘Stag Head Beer Tent’ and the 'Prosecco Van' in Gallery 45's Courtyard proved to be a significant success and will be repeated; however, minor amendments will be introduced to ensure that musical performances get a ‘fair hearing’.
The outline plan for the evening in the village hall is a 'Battle of the Bands' event. This event normally takes place in Alnwick Playhouse but because of refurbishment the Duchess High School has accepted our offer to host the vent in the village hall. This will attract a number of extremely proficient youngsters to compete for the title - with street-busking and venue performance as an integral part of the competition. The intention of this event for the local community is to increase the youth representation into the event as well as encouraging the community's young musicians and artists to participate.
Provisional arrangements have also been put into place for 'Prism' - a Pink Floyd Tribute Band - to perform in the village on the preceding night as a ticketed event. The band and the venue haven't been finalised as yet but will advise as soon as it is known. Also, the Village Hall is now licensed so alcohol can be sold; again that’s something that we are working on.
Here is last years programme which will give an idea on what, where and when went on.
2019 - The schedule for this year is below.
Slots are booked in single/multiple 15 minute slots. So, set the 'ball rolling' by having a look at your options.
Side by side with the music venues is an 'arts trail' - and there is added interest already. The spreadsheet template now includes a one-hour musical 'lunch break' for everyone to 'take a break' and to enable musicians to visit artists venues - who will take a similar, but differently timed 'lunch break'.
The 'We Burn' 'flash-mob' choir was a tremendous success in 2018 - and now the majority know what it is about it can become bigger and more confident. The 'venue' leaflet was also a great success and helped people negotiate the village to be in the right place at the right time.
Download the preliminary 'Feltonbury2019' Poster and please share as you feel appropriate.
Feltonbury is expanding - we are keen not to make it too big - but there is scope to make better use of what we have already. Lessons are learnt each year and we are incorporating those into this year's planning.
Everyone is most welcome to join the Feltonbury2019 community. Our strapline is 'No Mud, No Queues, No Tailbacks, No Talent' (How wrong that is - especially the latter!). If you want or know someone who wants to perform, display - and most importantly be a 'helper' - then please let us know and we will add you/them to the growing database. Email Neal Skelton at nealskelton@btinternet.com
Feltonbury2019 updates will be posted here on the website and on Facebook www.facebook.com/Feltonbury. Everything is up for discussion, so contact us by email or via Facebook.
Music Saturday on February 9. Morning sessions in the Village Hall as usual. Afternoon sessions in Gallery 45. Go to Music Saturdays to see exactly what's planned and find Gallery 45 if you don't already know it. The Pantomime Society has its matinee. Final performance that evening. Worth getting a ticket.
Module 1 of the Music Literacy Course starts on February 16. Find out more on the Workshops & Courses page.
I got my dates muddled. “Guys and Dolls” is on Saturday March 2 NOT Sunday 3. Apologies.
Exciting news - Hazel Makepeace has very kindly set up a Facebook page for Felton Music. This gives everyone who joins (it's a closed group) a place to share and celebrate. A great complement for the website. Take a look: www.facebook.com/groups/2301881236700497
Felton Film Club is planning a double bill of ABBA! Saturday February 23. More information on the next noticeboard.
I've signed up for a free on-line course with Future Learn. “Making Music with Others”. www.futurelearn.com/courses/making-music#. There are other excellent on line providers around. Have you any good (or bad) experiences to share?