The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks

Subject: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: Vic Smith
Date: 04 Sep 09 - 11:39 AM

This from Vic Gammon

Exciting developments in the BMus in Folk and Traditional Music at Newcastle University - September 2009

There have been some important developments on the folk degree course at Newcastle University.

From September 2009 the Degree Programme Director will be Catriona Macdonald. Catriona is one of the world's leading exponents of Scottish fiddle music and was a founder member of the core team that created the folk degree. She will combine the Degree Programme Director role with some instrumental and other teaching, as well as continuing with her professional activity, solo and with the acclaimed bands Blazin` Fiddles and String Sisters.

Alistair Anderson is retiring from being the Artistic Director of Folkworks and ceasing to be the temporary Degree Programme Director for the BMus. Alistair will continue with his teaching for the folk degree as well as his composition and performance work. Alistair's work has been central to creation and success of the degree and he remains a vital presence in its work.

Kathryn Tickell is to be the new Artistic Director of Folkworks but will continue to do some teaching for the folk degree as well as undertaking her performance and composition activities. Kathryn's role in both organisations will ensure that the close cooperation and mutual support between Folkworks and the degree will continue into the future. Kathryn was awarded the Queen's Medal for Music earlier this year.

Vic Gammon is extending his research leave from October until the end of the calendar year in order to complete research projects. He will be back full-time in January 2010 when he will be teaching undergraduate courses as well as working with postgraduates, and will undertake the role of departmental examinations convenor. He will be giving a memorial lecture for John Lowerson at the Institute of Historical Research, Senate House, London on the 2nd November 2009.

Desi Wilkinson is on research leave until February 2010, when he will be back teaching full-time at Newcastle. Desi has recently been working on a new album with his group Cran as well as conducting research in Brittany, Ireland and Quebec.

Sandra Kerr continues to work for the course, doing vocal and academic teaching as well as being very active as a performer and vocal work leader. She recently produced an excellent album of children's songs entitled 'Hi! Said the Elephant' that involved some folk degree students.

Stewart Hardy will continue to work for the course as a fiddle teacher and will teach Music Skills for stage 1 students, as well as undertaking his performance and freelance work.

Jo Goatman continues to be the administrator for the course although her work base has moved from The Sage Gateshead to the brand new Music Studios on the main campus. Her email address is [e-mail]. The Sage Gateshead remains the base for much of our ensemble activity and for public concerts, most other teaching taking place on the main campus.

Graduation results in the summer of 2009 were very pleasing, with two students (Matt Price and Dan Walsh) achieved first class degrees - no mean feat, as to do this a student must excel in both practical music and academic work.

Recruitment for 2009 has been very good in spite of the difficult economic situation and we expect to have well over 70 students studying folk music at undergraduate and postgraduate levels at Newcastle in the coming academic year.

Over the summer folk degree students and tutors undertook highly successful showcase performances at Cecil Sharp House in London, at the Sidmouth and Whitby folk festivals, as well as at The Sage Gateshead.

Some senior students produced an excellent sampler CD of their work towards the end of the summer term. This is available by post to members of the public (£6 including postage, cheque payable to 'Newcastle Folk Degree Students') and will be sent free to events organisers.

As the course matures we are pleased to see many of our ex-students making successes of their lives whether as teachers, administrators, sound engineers, front line performers such as The Shee, Rebus, and 422, or in their individual contributions to the musical lives of their communities.

***** ***** *****

Information release issued by Vic Gammon,[e-mail] Senior Lecturer in Folk and Traditional Music, International Centre for Music Studies, Armstrong Building, Newcastle University, NE1 7RU   3rd September 2009.

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: GUEST,Dazbo at work
Date: 04 Sep 09 - 11:44 AM

Can't help feeling that having Catriona Macdonald (one of the world's leading exponents of Scottish fiddle music) as Degree Programme Director is good news for English and, in particular, Northumbrian folk music.

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: r.padgett
Date: 04 Sep 09 - 12:22 PM

I have just pinched this for onward transmission!

Great to hear that the Degree course goes from strength to strength and new talented musicians and singers are taking on roles.

the Post Grads are clearly set to swell the ranks and bring exciting music and song to our ears!!

Thanks for the update

Ray

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: Jamming With Ollie Beak (inactive)
Date: 04 Sep 09 - 12:28 PM

This is one degree I would love to have, but lack of available time unfortunately makes it impossible to do the necessaries (the work)

Charlotte Olivia Robertson (Ms)

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: Wolfhound person
Date: 04 Sep 09 - 02:27 PM

"Can't help feeling that having Catriona Macdonald ... is good news for ....in particular, Northumbrian folk music.


Why, exactly? (apart from the obvious that she's a darn good musician)

Paws

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: The Sandman
Date: 04 Sep 09 - 04:23 PM

what would be agreat idea would be this;
some of the students set up there own folk club,then they would have somewhere to play, they could also invite some of the leading luminaries of the folk scene and learn[in the flesh about stagecraft]etc

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 05 Sep 09 - 07:25 AM

I think you'll find that the Newcastle students sing and play very regularly at the Cumberland Arms, and the Bridge Folk Club has a regular feature of students from the degree course.
I think they have lots of opportunities to play, but setting up their own folk club? well, folk clubs - so 1970s don't you think? (ducks for cover - it's a joke!). Though I would say that some of the younger performers (not just from Newcastle) would benefit from improving their stage presence, performing in front of audiences when they can see their faces, rather than be dazzled by spotlights. Learn to engage with an audience, sing and play without mics from time to time, adapt to an audience's interests and preferences (rather than trot out the pre-arranged set list).
BUT ... none of these points detract from the amazing talent that is in evidence amongst the Newcastle students and many other young performers. If some of them had been around in the 1970s, they would have blown some performers in those days off the stage!
Derek Schofield

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: The Sandman
Date: 05 Sep 09 - 07:51 AM

If some of them had been around in the 1970s, they would have blown some performers in those days off the stage![quote Schofield]
a very debatable and subjective remark,firstly they have all the benefits and innovations made by Carthy ,Jones Graham etc ETC,
I think that you are wrong,because If they had been around in the seventies they would not have all the benefits of those innovations ,neither would they have had the expert tuition.
its through the advice and tuition they have received that they are of the standard that they are.,your remark is fruitless supposition,and bollocks

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: GUEST,MC Fat
Date: 05 Sep 09 - 08:42 AM

Congratulations on the output from Newcastle. However could you teach 'some' (and I mean some) of you students a bit of session etitquette. The fact that you are taking this estemed degree does not give licence to overpower and take over existing sessions at Festivals and Clubs as some of your excellent students do. A bit of respect would not go amiss at some point. There I've said it but do keep up the 'good' work.

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: Vic Smith
Date: 05 Sep 09 - 08:56 AM

Derek Schofield wrote

"folk clubs - so 1970s don't you think? (ducks for cover - it's a joke!)."

That might not be a very sensible joke for the editor of English Dance & Song to be making as many of your readers will be folk club regulars (though I would not, as others apparently do, want to resort to swearing at you as a result of your making it).

You go on to say:-
Though I would say that some of the younger performers (not just from Newcastle) would benefit from improving their stage presence, performing in front of audiences when they can see their faces, rather than be dazzled by spotlights.

Two of the current students on the Newcastle course - Matt Quinn and Doğan Mehmet - have been honing their performance skills since their were quite young schoolboys by performing floor spots at our folk club at the Royal Oak in Lewes. And they are far from being the only young performers that are coming our way. At our last meeting of the season in July, I said that it was time for the older teenagers like Matt and Doğan to move over as I introduced 13 year old George Smith who had come along to accompany his grandfather's harmonica playing on the banjo. George has the makings of a fine singer as well.

I dare say that there are other folk club organisers who could tell similar stories.

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: Jack Campin
Date: 05 Sep 09 - 09:25 AM

Apropos of absolutely nothing, many thanks to Vic for pointing out how to do that Turkish soft-G character in HTML. In theory, being a numeric code, it might not be completely portable, but if it works on my weird setup (as it does) it should work on anything.

Sağ ol!

Now how do you do the capitalized version, the dotless i and the dotted capital I?

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: Vic Smith
Date: 05 Sep 09 - 09:49 AM

Jack Campin wrote:-
Now how do you do the capitalized version, the dotless i and the dotted capital I?

What? As in the word Ğ ı İ?

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: The Sandman
Date: 05 Sep 09 - 10:06 AM

(though I would not, as others apparently do, want to resort to swearing at you as a result of your making it]quote Vic Smith.
Vic ,I used the term bollocks to describe a different statement made by D Schofield,I was not swearing at him,if you cant see the difference,and read what is written in the post its time you visited Specsavers.

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: Vic Smith
Date: 05 Sep 09 - 10:23 AM

I wrote
"Two of the current students on the Newcastle course - Matt Quinn and Doğan Mehmet - have been honing their performance skills since their were quite young schoolboys by performing floor spots at our folk club at the Royal Oak in Lewes."

Oops! I quite forgot Pip Ives another Newcastle student who has performed many lovely floor spots for us - sorry Pip.

And before him Gavin Bird who was in the very first intake on the Traditional Music Degree Course.

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 05 Sep 09 - 11:36 AM

(sighs)
Oh, I do wish some people here would recognise a joke when they see it (I even put - 'it's a joke' in the text!) Lighten up!

Also, I do wish people would recognise the difference between fact and opinion. What I wrote was opinion. Vic Smith presented a couple of excellent examples that refute what I wrote, which is fine - I would certainly agree with Vic, and also say that I thought Matt's singing had improved considerably over the last 12 months. I did write in my original piece "some of the younger performers ... would benefit ..."

I knew that the remark about today's performers compared with those of the 70s would be contentious - the hope that it would stimulate rational discussion was wildly optimistic I fear.

As I wrote recently in a different thread, I always try and be polite in my postings and I wish others would do likewise.

Derek
who may be the editor of English Dance & Song but who was writing the original message and this follow-up in a private capacity!

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: The Sandman
Date: 05 Sep 09 - 12:20 PM

Derek .
I apologise for calling your remark bollocks,to stop any offence being taken, I will just say it is in my opinion nonsense,I have explained in my previous post the reason why it is nonsense and ill considered.
it is silly to talk along the lines of if they were back in the seventies etc etc,simply because if they had been they would not have enjoyed the advantages they enjoy now.
if you dont accept that,then the implication is that they are more talented,which cannot be proved anyway,and which In my opinion is doubtful,but is something we will never know.

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: Vic Smith
Date: 05 Sep 09 - 12:46 PM

It is certainly true that today's young performers, given the correct advice and coaching, enjoy advantages that those who came into the music in the 1960s and 1970s could not have dreamed of. In spite of this, it still requires dedication on the part of the current young performers to reach the degree of technical skill that many of them have reached. Derek says that he has noticed "amazing talent that is in evidence amongst the Newcastle students and many other young performers." but that does not come about without many hours of practice and hard work.

Sadly, I would also have to say that there is some truth in the tendency to "overpower and take over existing sessions at Festivals and Clubs" that MC Fat mentions. Not observing the unwritten rules of session etiquette is not going to make you friends on the folk scene.

I would also have to say that as a folk club organiser, I have noticed a certain arrogance amongst a minority of Newcastle students and other young performers about the way they approach for folk club bookings. They will have to learn interpersonal as well as musical skills to make their way as folk music performers.

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: The Sandman
Date: 05 Sep 09 - 04:42 PM

Vic, for once I agree with everything you say.
can I raise one more point,the importance of degree courses,is slightly less than it was 5 years ago,there is now so much good tuition available on the net,that the opportunity is there for enthusiastic musicians to reach a very high standard more easily than it was in the 1970s,it is not necessary to go on a degree course to become a skilled musician and skilled communicator/performer.
the degree course at NEWCASTLE is however a wonderful opportunity,for all aspiring musicians,who are lucky enough to get a place and long may it continue.

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: GUEST,MC Fat
Date: 05 Sep 09 - 07:11 PM

I do want to harness in the talents that the folk degree has manifested, what i would like to see is those students learning from us older folkies on presentation techniques,

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: GUEST,Graham O'Callaghan
Date: 05 Sep 09 - 07:24 PM

No one should question the integrity nor the quality of the Newcastle course. However, there have been on occasions a small number of students who have perceived their degree as a guarantee of future 'employment'so to speak, with all the related 'arrogance of youth' which can be associated with such an attitude. However, it must be said that this 'problem' can be found amongst graduates from many other universities where not every graduate is 'fit for purpose' for the workplace. Natural selection will prevail.

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: Tug the Cox
Date: 05 Sep 09 - 07:37 PM

No mention of Spindrift, who delighted audiences at Sidmouth and Bideford, as well as working as unpaid stewards.

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: Vic Smith
Date: 06 Sep 09 - 07:00 AM

Tug The Cox wrote:-
"No mention of Spindrift, who delighted audiences at Sidmouth and Bideford, as well as working as unpaid stewards."

Could I add the recently-graduated-from-Newcastle group, Mother's Ruin? Their concert performance in support of the amazing Hot Club of Cowtown at the Broadstairs Festival last month was delightful, both in their musical skills and the wry humour of their skilful introductions.

Hear them at http://www.myspace.com/mothersruinband

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: Howard Jones
Date: 06 Sep 09 - 08:52 AM

Does Newcastle (or anywhere else for that matter) offer shorter courses? They need not necessarily lead to a formal qualification.

There must be others, like myself, who had no opportunity for this kind of thing when we went to university, and had no formal musical education, who would be interested in studying folk music and performance in more detail but can't afford the time or the money to take a four year degree course.

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: Folkiedave
Date: 06 Sep 09 - 12:44 PM

There are weekend courses the Wren Trust for example.

http://www.wrenmusic.co.uk/index.php

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: Folkiedave
Date: 06 Sep 09 - 01:34 PM

Poor old Derek. His position means he can't make jokes in public about folk music. I'm surprised he didn't know that.

Perhaps he should just have referred people to this page:

http://www.ceolupnorth.co.uk/etiquette.html

Read it down to the bottom - it even tells you how to degree with folk music degree students.

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: The Sandman
Date: 06 Sep 09 - 05:34 PM

poor old Derek,he could always take up trainspotting.

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: The Sandman
Date: 06 Sep 09 - 07:03 PM

I met Derek Schofield at Glasson Maritime Festival,he knidly gave me a copy of the EFDSS magazine English Dance and Song,I would like to congratulate him on his editorship,and the excellent work he and Ruth and others are doing in revitalising EFDSS.Well done all.

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 06 Sep 09 - 07:36 PM

Eeeeeeeeee, when I were a lad...down pit or up chimney...sixpence AND change back for t'bus!...bit o' respect...nowt but fields...I'm eighty-two, you know...





By the way - yes, you can do shorter courses on the Newcastle course.

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: Banjiman
Date: 07 Sep 09 - 03:50 AM

Here we go again!

Congrats to all the students who graduated this year, Special mention to Dan Walsh for achieving a first class degree. His dexterity on the 5 string banjo has to be seen to be believed.

I've booked quite a number of the undergraduates and graduates of the Newcastle course (I've also seen a fair number of them at other clubs either as performers or floorspotters). I perceive no more arrogance amongst this group than any other group of performers..... The stage presence and audience engagement skills are also probably on a par with those of all performers i.e. some good, some not so good.

Even as a folk club organiser I get Derek's point (sorry joke)!

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 07 Sep 09 - 04:42 AM

"Special mention to Dan Walsh for achieving a first class degree."

And to Matt Price.

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: Banjiman
Date: 07 Sep 09 - 05:05 AM

I agree Ruth, I just happen to know Dan..... and he is a banjo player!

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 07 Sep 09 - 05:10 AM

Indeed - I have done a fair bit of work with Matt this summer. He helps to run the Stream of Sound choir, who have done some great work at Sidmouth over the past couple of years, both in performance and in their workshops with young people.

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: Mr Red
Date: 07 Sep 09 - 06:03 AM

I think the evidence is ever present. Look at the post grads on the folk scene. Too numerous to list.

Of course we still have the University of Life (Folk Campus), but for the big wide world, a recognised degree qualification is so much easier to present.

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: Willa
Date: 07 Sep 09 - 07:00 AM

Howard
this event will be well worth attending.

http://www.darlingtonfolkmusicweekend.org.uk/

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: The Sandman
Date: 07 Sep 09 - 07:45 AM

Howard plays an Anglo concertina,I think that concertina tutor is an English player.
Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: Ruth Archer - PM
Date: 06 Sep 09 - 07:36 PM

Eeeeeeeeee, when I were a lad...down pit or up chimney...sixpence AND change back for t'bus!...bit o' respect...nowt but fields...I'm eighty-two, you know.
Ruth, respect has nothing to do with age,it involves manners, courtesy,humility,there are disreptful people of all ages,it appears there are one or two of them from that degree course,I seem to remember an older person was disrespectful to you at Sidmouth.
still, it would appear we now live in age,where the cult is youth,never mind the experience and wisdom that older people can give,todays mantra is youth we must encourage youth,never mind anybody else.
encouraging youth is laudable,but it is not very wise to do this and at the same time ignore the experience and acquired skills of older people.

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: The Sandman
Date: 07 Sep 09 - 07:55 AM

Here is an example,
Lou Killen,the man lives in Gateshead,he is one of the foremost acommpanists on the concertina,he has had vast performing experience[both solo and with the Clancys]yet his name is conspicuously absent from the tutors list on the Newcastle degree course.
my opinion for what is worth is that work should be decided on merit,not on age.
when it comes to the Newcastle degree course,he would be someone who has a great deal to offer.,despite the fact heis not 21.

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: Howard Jones
Date: 07 Sep 09 - 08:35 AM

I was thinking of a more structured course of study, rather than one-off instrumental workshops.

Ruth mentioned that Newcastle University offers short courses as well as the folk degree, but I can find no mention on its website. The EFDSS website has some impressively detailed bibliographies, but some more selective reading lists would be helpful.

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: Jack Campin
Date: 07 Sep 09 - 08:42 AM

Lou Killen [...] is conspicuously absent from the tutors list on the Newcastle degree course.

You do realize how old he is?

Aren't traditional musicians ever allowed to retire?

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: Vic Smith
Date: 07 Sep 09 - 09:20 AM

Lou Killen [...] is conspicuously absent from the tutors list on the Newcastle degree course.

....And the best players are not neccessarily the best teachers.

Do we know if he has been asked? He may not want to do it. The band that I play in has a fiddle player who is widely regarded as one of the best of his generation, yet he tries to avoid leading workshops and teaching at all costs. (However, he will attend the fiddle workshop led locally by Tommy Peoples!)The only private pupil he has is the daughter of a fellow band member and he is only doing that as a favour.

He supplements his performing income by freelance computer programming and website design, saying, "I like to have some of my life when I am not wielding a bow!"

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: The Sandman
Date: 07 Sep 09 - 09:50 AM

jack ,
yes I do know his age,I know LOU reasonably well,by the way he is a revival musician.
the point I was making was that we should not ignore experience,in the blind pursuit ofor youth at all costs,but rather make decisions based on skill,experience and talent regardless of age.
its more a question of getting a good balance of youth and experience

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: Howard Jones
Date: 07 Sep 09 - 10:06 AM

According to the website, the tutors are:

Head of Studies: Desi Wilkinson

    * Voice: Sandra Kerr, Chris Hendry, Chris Coe, Emily Portman, Janet Russell, Frankie Armstrong, Alison McMorland, Maggi Boyle, Karine Polwart, James Fagan, Tim Van Eycken, Paul Sartin, Nancy Kerr
    * Accordion, Melodeon, Concertina: Julian Sutton, Martin Green, Karen Tweed, Ian Lowthian
    * Percussion, Bodhrán etc.: Will Lang
    * Fiddle, Cello: Catriona MacDonald, Stuart Hardy, Wendy Weatherby, Peter Tickell, John Dipper, Claire Mann, Nancy Kerr,
    * Flute: Desi Wilkinson
    * Pipes, Whistle: Kathryn Tickell, Joey Oliver, Paul Martin
    * Guitar, Banjo: Mick Wright, Martin Carthy, Duck Baker, Ian Stephenson, Chris Newman, John Renbourn
    * Keyboard, Harp, Clarsach: Andy May, Phil Alexander, Harris Playfair
    * Dance : Laura Thirkell

There seems to be a good mixture of youth and experience between them.

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: GUEST,s-j in newcastle
Date: 07 Sep 09 - 10:58 AM

Hi, just noticed the comment about Louis Killen and just thought that would mention whilst I was on the course (graduated in2007 at the age of 30!) he was a visiting tutor for voice..there are often 'guest' tutors that sometimes come in and teach.

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: The Sandman
Date: 07 Sep 09 - 10:58 AM

ah, but the best players can also be the best teachers,as a matter of fact Lou did step in on one occasion,when someone was absent and apparantly it was a great success,of course he has been seriously ill since then.,so as you say may not be interested.
   another person who is very well equipped,because he can play both and English and/Anglo and can play tunes and sing AND ACCOMPANY well is Keith Kendrick,I believe he did a workshop recently in LEWES.
I thought the concertina section lacked depth., also only one flute teacher.compared to the amount of voice teachers that is very thin

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 07 Sep 09 - 11:13 AM

'a good mixture of youth and experience '

Indeed — even a mother & daughter which I think is wonderful. Talking of Lou's absence; the other so-distinguished Geordie English·concertina player Ali Anderson doesn't seem to have got involved either. But then, he is another Oldie; like me...

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: Folkiedave
Date: 07 Sep 09 - 11:17 AM

Ali? Not involved in the degree course?

Where are you coming from Mike?

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 07 Sep 09 - 12:24 PM

Sorry Dave - but he is not on Howard Jones's list above, that I can see. I didn't say he had never been involved, which would have been more than I could speak to: but he certainly isn't listed there, so I made my comment in good faith with no intention to offend. So that, as you ask, is where I am coming from...

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: Effsee
Date: 07 Sep 09 - 12:39 PM

MtGM... from the original post..."Alistair Anderson is retiring from being the Artistic Director of Folkworks and ceasing to be the temporary Degree Programme Director for the BMus. Alistair will continue with his teaching for the folk degree as well as his composition and performance work. Alistair's work has been central to creation and success of the degree and he remains a vital presence in its work."

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: Vic Smith
Date: 07 Sep 09 - 12:40 PM

I thought the concertina section lacked depth., also only one flute teacher.compared to the amount of voice teachers that is very thin

As far as I know, the students have to opt for either two instruments or one instrument and singing. The number of instrumental tutors in each section will vary from year to year for each instrumental or vocal discipline according to the demand.

Good to see a dance tutor in there as well. At Broadstairs, I met young Pip Ives, who I have mentioned above and he said that I just had to see the female rapper team made up of Newcastle students; I am glad that I did for they were truly outstanding with Pip playing the anglo-concertina for them - I had only heard him playing melodeon previous to that.

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: Folkiedave
Date: 07 Sep 09 - 01:08 PM

There were all sorts of people who have at times been involved in the degree who weren't listed and as Effsee has pointed it out it wasn't difficult to find out about Alistair's contribution, since it was in the very first post.

Subject: RE: The Newcastle course-Vic Gammon speaks
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 07 Sep 09 - 01:12 PM

Covered in shame and confusion. I'm going down the garden to eat worms. [Is a version of that particular ditty taught on the course, btw?]