Workshops
Upcoming workshops in and around Oxfordshire.
- Details
- Written by: David Rogers
**The call is out to young musicians under the age of 25 who sing or play traditionally based music to enter for New Roots 2026.**
Whether your style is traditional or contemporary folk, roots or world music, whether you perform traditional material or write your own, the organisers would like to hear from you. There are two categories, under 18 and 18-24. New Roots has been running since 2000 and the standard rises every year. After temporary changes during the Covid pandemic and taking a break in 2025, it has returned to its usual schedule
The list of judges for 2026 has been finalised. Between them, Tash Daly, Valmai Goodyear, Megan Wisdom and Mossy Christian represent a wide spectrum of insights into the folk scene.
The judges’ task will be firstly to listen to the entries sent in and select the performers who will take part in the final on Sunday April 19, 2026 at Trestle Arts Base in St Albans. On the day they will give constructive feedback to performers. There is no overall winner and we try to ensure that everyone who makes it to the final will win one or more performance opportunities and everyone who takes part will get a video of their perfomance. The aim is to match the performers to the opportunities which are offered to New Roots finalists.
Performers who want to enter are invited to complete the entry form on the New Roots web site and email it to
The closing date is 31 January 2026.
For further and more up to date information visit our web site www.new-roots.org.uk This also has a form for event organisers who wish to offer performance opportunities for young musicians.
- Details
- Written by: David Rogers
If the question “what actually is folk dance?” stokes your fire, sign up now for our new online folk dance library course, led by Mike Heaney and Chloe Middleton-Metcalfe.
It presents a unique opportunity to delve into the history and development of folk dance in an English context and to debate and discuss key issues.The seven evening sessions are led by two experts in the field of folk dance. Mike is the premier researcher of the morris dance, while Chloe completed her PhD on the development of barn dances and ceilidhs.
Further details: https://www.efdss.org/whats-on/61-conferences/15513-folk-uncovered-online-course-exploring-english-folk-dance
These will run on Thursday evenings 7:30-9:00pm between Feb 19th and Apr 2nd.
- Details
- Written by: David Rogers
This is a new ensemble for young musicians who are interested in learning folk tunes and songs. We will learn the tunes and songs together by ear and then explore ways to arrange them to create something new and exciting.
- 27 September 2025
- 29 November 2025
- 31 January 2026
- 7 March 2026
- 9 May 2026
- 20 June 2026
Further Information: https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/music-service/music-groups/oxfordshire-youth-folk-group
- Details
- Written by: Jon Bennett
Moonrakers Folk Orchestra Workshops
Moonrakers (www.moonrakers.net) each year run a series of Folk Orchestra and Composition workshops across the country. They are for instrumentalists who wish to develop skills in arranging and playing traditional and contemporary tunes in an ensemble. Jon Bennett (guitar, ukulele, bouzouki, whistles), Jacqui Johnson (cello, fiddle, keyboard) and Becki Luff (harp, keyboard) have many years’ experience conducting workshops at Benslow Music, Halsway Manor and at several festivals. They work through a number of tunes drawn mainly from the folk idiom, inviting you to suggest arrangement ideas yourself. Music (with chords, melody, countermelody and bass) will be sent out in advance along with a video of each tune played at medium pace for those who learn by ear. Above all, it’s a rare opportunity to play with a multi-instrumental and welcoming group. For more information, go to www.moonrakers.net and www.facebook.com/Moonrakersfolkorchestra. If you want to discuss any aspect of the courses, call 01865 769206 or email
Sat 16 August White Horse Folk Festival, To find location and timing, visit White Horse Folk Festival – Fri 15th – Sun 17th August 2025
12-14 Sep Folk Orchestra, Benslow Music, HITCHIN, Hertfordshire, SG4 9RB. The second of our annual residential weekend workshops at Benslow Music. Book early! www.benslowmusic.org 01462 459446.
7-9 Nov Halsway Manor, TAUNTON, Somerset, TA4 4BD. A weekend (2 nights) residential Folk Orchestra Workshop run by Jon & Jacqui. All instruments welcome; intermediate standard (no absolute beginners). Music and videos sent in advance. Limited to 20. Book early because it's always sold out! halswaymanor.org.uk/ Any questions, call 01865 769206.