hi

I went to a Roman Catholic primary school until I was 11. Then a boys ( only) grammar school until I was 17.

We were taught to sing nursery rhymes ( do they qualify as folk ??) in the primary school but nothing that resembled folk song or music in the Grammar school.

At the grammar school we did listen some classical stuff - New World Symphony - Fingal's caves etc - but like Fred's experience we were not expected to understand it because it was thought to be beyond us.

Also the school had an operatic society that produced a Gilbert & Sullivan opera each year. Although I failed auditions I have to say that the standard was excellent.

Because in my first year I was good at Latin I was pointed ( no choice here !!) down the classics route for the rest of my years.

Although we had music lessons regularly - eg one hour per week - we never were taught to play an instrument.
The brother and sister of one of our teachers were professional music teachers and pupils who wished to, could enrol at a discounted fee. They only taught classical music and the fees were beyond most "ordinary" students.

Although by 13 I was learning to play the guitar I could not qualify for this tuition because they didn't teach guitar and we couldn't afford the fees anyway.

Outside of music, being in the classics stream we did not get woodwork/metalwork etc. or anything that was of any practical use.

We did have teacher who was a fine cricketer and who encouraged and helped me to become a reasonably competent player of a game I love and played until my August years.

Cheers

MikeL2