Rolling Harmony was thrilled to perform for the first time at Halsway Manor, the National Centre for Folk Arts, as part of the first Songways Halsway singing weekend. A fantastic audience packed out the beautiful Long Room and enjoyed a vibrant programme of songs by UK and US composers rooted in traditional harmony singing styles.
Comments from the audience:
Amazing concert… wow!
Stunning performance
Just incredible
The next Songways singing weekend at Halsway will be Friday 25 – Sunday 27 October 2024, with a Rolling Harmony concert at 8pm on Saturday 26 October 2024. Please join our mailing list to ensure you receive details.
Review of Rolling Harmony workshop and concert March 2023
Rolling Harmony is a vibrant vocal group of choir leaders and singers from the South West formed by Jane Harris, Director of Songways. They delight audiences with their lively and eclectic performances.
“A wonderful, uplifting experience”
“Fabulous”
“Out of this world”
“There are concerts… and then there are concerts… this one was absolutely superb”
Glorious music and gorgeous vocal harmonies. Songs with vibrant rhythms, compelling lyrics and interweaving vocal lines, rooted in English and American harmony singing traditions. Original compositions by Jane Harris, UK and US composers, and traditional songs specially arranged by Rolling Harmony. Rich blend of voices with additional instrumentals for some songs – violin and guitar. Something for everyone…
The Songways singing weekend was led by Jane Harris, Director of Songways and Pip Wright, guest tutor from Cornwall, who taught some of their favourite harmony songs from a wide range of traditions, including their own original compositions. The rich variety of songs and styles included a lyrical Irish folk song, a traditional South African song, a lively Macedonian dance song, a rousing Cornish song from the Shout tradition and evocative original songs by both Jane and Pip. Several singers brought instruments to join the scratch band and play with Jane and Pip (fiddles) for dancing on the Friday night, including traditional Cornish dances and the Dashing White Sergeant. Pip led a meditative harmony singing session on the Saturday afternoon – Songs with Spirit, Songs for the Soul.
Comments from singers about the singing weekend:
Utterly brilliant weekend at an excellent venue
Truly extraordinary complementary double act of leaders
Loved the way Jane and Pip worked together – and with us – in such a supportive and empowering way
Jane and Pip complement each other so well… the double fiddles is a special touch
The best organised of any courses I have attended at Halsway
Beautiful meditative singing led by Pip
The mix of singing, dancing and performance was just perfect
Loved the variety of songs and appreciated the vocal training and tips
Many thanks to all the singers who came – from Bath, Bristol, Wiltshire, Devon, Cornwall, Herefordshire, Somerset, Hampshire, Oxford, London, Gloucestershire, Essex, Norfolk, Sussex and California (!) – and the many local people who also joined us for the Rolling Harmony concert.
