Ensembles give people who share an interest in a type of music or instrument a chance to make music together. Each of our ensembles has a clear purpose. Some meet regularly while others are created for a specific event. If people enjoy them, the latter may evolve into ongoing groups.
Below you can find out about the ensembles that are running at the moment. If you are interested in joining any contact Alison on felton4music@gmail.com. Get in touch if the ensemble you want isn't there. We may be able to put you in touch with others who share your interests and needs, and get something underway.
Ongoing Groups
Beginners’ Band
The Beginners’ Band met for the first time in the autumn of 2023. One person was having a go at the violin and was looking for other people to be able to play with at a very basic level. At least a dozen people come on a regular basis, with a wide variety of instruments and experience. Several have restarted, having played years ago. Some are playing their second or even third instrument. No pre-existing knowledge is assumed.
The music is made-to-measure, with parts to suit individuals. The pieces are quite short and we enjoy playing the same ones time after time, adding just a few new ones as we go along.
The purpose of the Beginners’ Band is to enjoy playing along with other people.
Sessions are on Thursday afternoons, from 2.00 – 4.30pm at Felton Village Hall. They are held approximately once a fortnight. Cost £2 or £2.50 – varies according to the number
All Blown Out
All Blown Out emerged from a one-off morning for instrumentalists in January 2016. At the moment it's a combination of flutes, clarinets and saxophones, but anyone who would like to join in would be welcome.
Picking up an instrument again after years without playing, or starting from scratch is hard work, but also great fun. Some people are happy to play on their own, but others want to make music with others. Several of All Blown Out's members had never played in a group before, while some are experienced players who enjoy playing in a mixed ability group.
The main focus is on developing the skills involved in playing with others – coping with keeping a part that's different from everyone else's, playing together, listening, balancing and blending. Each person's part is written for them, in the hopes that no one is either over-faced or bored. We play in all sorts of different styles.
In the past we have occasionally played informally for other people, but Covid disrupted that pattern. We’re looking forward for one of two opportunities in the next year.
All Blown Out meets on the first and third Wednesday evenings of the month, from 7.30 – 9.30 pm at the houses of members who can accommodate us. There is no charge.
Friday Recorders
This group is for people who can find their way around a recorder, but welcome the chance to play in a directed group where there is some help and support when needed. Around 8 people come along, which means we can often meet in members’ houses. When that won’t work we use the Village Hall.
Amongst us, we play descant, treble, tenor and bass recorders, with one or two to a part.
The prime aim of the group is to enjoy playing recorders in a small ensemble, but there’s a bit of an emphasis on improving, whether that’s in mastering more notes, developing technique, playing together, or understanding more about the music.
Sessions are on Friday afternoons, 2 – 3.30pm, about once a fortnight. There’s no cost when we are at someone’s house. If we use the Village Hall, it’s £2 or £2.50 each to cover the hire charge.
MadCap
Short for Madrigals / A Cappella, MadCap is a come-along-if-you-can singing group. We work on 16th century unaccompanied vocal music, lovely stuff, both sacred and secular.
Most of our singing is in 3 parts – soprano, alto and baritone (tenor or bass), which fits the mix of people who come along. We sing because we really like this music, so most of the time we explore and get to know pieces, understanding them more and bring them to life. In 2023, we got to know the whole of William Byrd’s Mass for 3 parts (Byrd died in 1623, so there was a lot of him about), and had two exciting workshops in Brinkburn Priory and St Paul’s Church Alnwick. Just for us, for the pleasure of singing in those glorious acoustics. We may do similar workshops in the future if the music and the opportunities fit.
To enjoy MadCap it’s best if you can cope a bit with music notation, although you certainly don’t need to be a fluent sightreader. The main requirement is to like this sort of music and interested in bringing it to life with others and understanding it better.
MadCap meets on Music Saturdays – see the separate page about Music Saturdays, from 10.30 – 12.30, monthly at Felton Village Hall.
MadriGals
MadriGals was a women’s singing group who met over three summers from 2016 to 2019. Making use of a time of the year which tends to be less busy for choir members, we prepared for specific events singing madrigals in 2 and 3 parts. We sang at Feltonbury. Felton’s answer to Glastonbury and before Handlebards’ outdoor Shakespeare performances in Felton Park. In 2019 we spent a day visitng three churches in the area to sing, for ourselves, our repertoire in their acoustics. We were looking forward to 2020 …..
That was not to be, but MadriGals may be getting going again, with a singing day on Saturday August 24, from 10am – 3pm at Felton Village Hall. If people want to carry on with occasional get togethers, we’ll meet again. Watch this space!
Ensembles for specific events
From time to time one-off opportunities for music-making occur, and Felton Music can facilitate these by advertising them, calling for volunteers and organising rehearsals.
Bow Brummel and the .......
The Regency Ball saw the first and perhaps the only appearance of a stringed instrument ensemble. Violins and a 'cello rubbed shoulders with guitars, mandolin, ukelele and a harp. The sound was glorious. Maybe some of those who played would like to work together on a more regular basis, and there could be others who'd like to join in.
Beyond the End of the Road
In 2016, Felton was fortunate to be selected as one of the communities involved in “Beyond the End of the Road”. This was to be a new musical for Northumberland, drawing on themes and anecdotes from several villages around the county. November Club, an arts company based in Morpeth, led the year long project. The performance came to Felton on June 11, 2017. One of the songs called for people, apparently just in the audience, to stand and sing. Eleven people from Felton and West Thirston spent three mornings learning the song, and then participated in the afternoon and evening shows. A couple of weeks later, seven of us took part in the performance at The Sage Gateshead.
Handlebards
Felton enjoys being included in the Handlebards tours. Handlebards provides bicycle- powered Shakespeare in the open air. In 2017 and 2018 Felton Music provided a group to perform Elizabethan music before and after the show. This provided those who enjoy playing recorders and singing madrigals an opportunity to share the music with others. HospiceCare North Northumberland organises the Felton event and others in the county.
Upcoming Ensemble Events
(click on the title for more information):