They led the shapenote
workshops at the Sidmouth FolkWeek in August 2007 and 2008, with a repeat performance at the
Saturday 'Start the Week' concert in the Parish Church, as part of FolkWeek in the Church.
Babylon Lane will be appearing at the Rhythms of the World Festival in
Hitchin on 5 July, and leading the shapenote workshop at Warwick Folk
Festival on 26 July. They are back for
Sidmouth FolkWeek 2009 in August, this time in the Methodist Church.
Members of the group have been singing
shapenote music for more than 20 years, both in the UK and in the USA.
Steve and Sheila have both taught singing schools in the UK, and
Edwin and Tony also lead West Gallery quires in
Warwickshire (Immanuel's
Ground), and Kent (The Marsh
Warblers) respectively. They are joined this year for some
performances by Lin Cawthorne, of Cuckoo Oak and the John Moore
Quire. All belong to the
West Gallery Music Association.
Babylon Lane offer workshops in
shapenote music, using material from;
the 1991 edition of
The Sacred Harp,
the 1998 edition of
Northern Harmony, and
Norumbega
Harmony, 2005,
as well as contemporary compositions in the genre by English writers.
There is no charge for these workshops
to community groups, although a contribution to travel expenses, and
overnight accommodation when necessary, would be welcome. Babylon Lane
also offer workshops and singing schools to traditional folk festivals, and
other musical and educational organisations on a
negotiable basis, to include travel and other expenses.
For further information on shapenote
singing in the UK please visit the
UK Shapenote website.
For Babylon Lane workshop enquiries
please contact either
Sheila
Girling Macadam or
Steve
Fletcher.
( NB. Please
substitute @ for -at- in the email addresses.)
* Picture taken from "The Seven Wonders of
the World" by John and Elizabeth Romer.