by Author Nikki-Kate

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soundLINCS are putting our Focus on Folk!

soundLINCS is delighted to have reached and supported people working with children and young people, with particular focus on Encouraging Talent and Progression in the East Midlands through our National Foundation for Youth Music Network Programme, EMTaP – East Midlands Talent & Potential, which is heavily subsidised by the National Foundation for Youth Music with additional support from each of the Music Education Hubs in the East Midlands region.

soundLINCS is delighted to have reached and supported people working with children and young people, with particular focus on Encouraging Talent and Progression in the East Midlands through our National Foundation for Youth Music Network Programme, EMTaP – East Midlands Talent & Potential, which is heavily subsidised by the National Foundation for Youth Music with additional support from each of the Music Education Hubs in the East Midlands region.

One aspect of EMTaP was an exploration of progression routes available for young people in minority genres and unusual contexts. Through this we began to research the provision to support and meet the needs of children and young people’s progression in Folk Music in the region.

We asked ourselves, “What guidance and support can instrumental teachers and practitioners who do not specialise in Folk music, provide to young people who are keen to develop their interest in Folk on their chosen instrument?”

Our comprehensive inquiry involved consultation with the East Midlands Music Education Hubs, music practitioners, organisations and individuals across the region to ascertain existing participatory opportunities, activities, events, digital resources and much more.

The results of the research were diverse and wide-reaching, with opportunities emerging from Lincoln to Leicester and even London! This collated research is now available as an interactive mapping resource, “Focus on Folk”, available on the soundLINCS website here.

This mapped resource highlights singarounds, ceilidhs, folk clubs, folk concerts, folk festivals, organisations and collaboratives providing folk activities, workshops, courses and events for young people taking place across the region, together with information of nationally available resources / toolkits, digital resources and workforce development activities assisting in teaching and community engagement.

This is just the starting point!  Our aim is for this resource to be a useful and inspirational progression tool for young people, their parents / carers and teachers across the region. We hope it will encourage and enable young people with a love of folk, or those who want to discover more about it, to easily find out how and where to go to join others who share their interest.

We want the map to keep growing so your contributions are welcome!  If you know of any other opportunities or resources in your area not currently on this map, please get in touch with soundLINCS at info@soundlincs.org or by calling us on 01522 510073 and we will happily include them.