Past Traditional Music Days

Traditional Music Day 2007

Traditional Music Day 2006

Previous Traditional Music Days

2007 Photographs

2006 Photographs

2005 Photographs

2004 Photographs

Traditional Music Day 2007

To see a full programme for the 2007 event, click here.

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Traditional Music Day 2006

Guests in 2006 included Alistair Anderson, The Copper Family, Dan Quinn and Will Duke, Ray Hubbard, The Thaxted Country Dance Band and special events centred around 'A Sweet Country Life' - a tribute to EATMT patron and traditional singer, Tony Harvey.

Below are some comments from a few of those attending the 2006 event: some newcomers, guests and ‘old hands’.

"What a wonderful day! From the big sessions and main concerts in the immense tithe barn to the intimate acoustic of the tiny chapel, the day was full of traditional music played from the heart. This was a rare opportunity to hear the singing of locals who rarely travel outside the region and to catch the excitement of the step dance tradition, alive and well in the 21st century. The mix of formal performance to informal music and singing drew the audience in and allowed the outside performers like myself to dig deeper into their own repertoire to play items from beyond their standard concert set. Thanks for inviting me down."                                           Alistair Anderson, guest artist

"It was the first time I had been to the big music day and despite the wind and a little drizzle, it was a really good enjoyable day. My favourite part was the step dance special, and I really enjoyed taking part in this, as well as watching and learning from the other more experienced dancers. I'm already looking forward to going next year."                                                                      Charlotte Lally, aged 10

"I can't remember enjoying such a day of sheer happiness for a long, long while: relaxed, informal, friendly, with great music and singing, and not just from the headlined guests. Part of the atmosphere's down to the ambience: the Museum is such a great place, with its collection of intimate venues. Part undoubtedly results from the impeccable organisation: a lot of hard work behind the scenes has to go into making events like this seem relaxed and informal. I guess the most heart-warming part of it all was the exuberance and talent of our own young people: the East Anglian traditions of stepping and music look to be in safe hands."                      John Halliday, photographer

"I spent a lot of my time playing at the session, exchanging tunes with the sizeable throng that had gathered; always a good-natured, all-inclusive and enjoyable affair with the communal spirit that accompanies traditional music. For me, the highlight was the archive films of the actual old time musicians themselves."                                                                                                                Shem Jarrold, fiddle-player

"We thought having the 'Try a Melodeon' activities down by the watermill would mean a few less people but it was so popular we had to keep asking people to finish having their go to make way for others! A very happy, eager and friendly session as always."           

                                                                                                                                                                            Maggie Moore, melodeon-player

"The annual Traditional Music Day is an occasion to which I look forward with real delight. The music sits comfortably in the setting and there are plenty of opportunities to relax and chat with friends old and new who, like me, seem to make a point of attending regularly. Free reed instruments predominate in the music sessions and a new event this year was 'Concertina Corner', ninety minutes of excellent music in a relaxed atmosphere with intelligent and well-informed discussion; three features which typify the whole day. Oh yes! CAMRA run the bar, which may also have something to do with the pleasure."                                                                      Roger Digby, concertina-player
 

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Previous Traditional Music Days

In 2005 guests included a host of stepdancers from near and far, Yorkshire singers and raconteurs Will Noble and John Cocking, the Musical Roots singers and band, the Dartmoor Pixies, Tony Hall, Bayou Seco duo from Arizona and resident band and singers Old Hat Concert Party. Events included music sessions, concert spots, the biggest yet Stepdance Special, a singing session, trading stalls, instrument taster sessions, exhibitions, jig dolls, children's craft, dance and song activities and a separate evening concert. Special event was a Song Trail around the site, for joining in or just listening on a guided walk around the fields, woods and farm buildings.

In 2004, the gorgeous weather encouraged people to sit outside and make their own music, and the indoor events were all full of people and atmosphere!  Special events included the Jig Doll exhibition and a chance to have a go yourself, using EATMT's unique collection of jig dolls. The country's largest collection of jig dolls (in private hands) were displayed as part of the Big Jig celebration. The Big Jig family events attracted a larger number of youngsters along, and we were very pleased that so many people brought a jig doll along on the day, so that the exhibition of about sixty jig dolls that we had put on was swelled by another thirty or so during the day.

And now some different views of the day from guests, volunteers and audience ...

“This had to be one of the best days of 2004 in every respect. A clear blue sky, sweltering heat, and authentic English traditional music mostly performed by genuine traditional performers. If you are used to hearing this music minced and mangled by the "folk" scene, I suggest you come next time and hear it as it should sound, performed with energy and passion by people who grew up with it as the backdrop to daily life.”

                                                                                                                             Paul Roberts (Guest musician - Black Spot Champions)

“I dance Appalachian clogging to the fabulous Old Timey fiddle playing of Tim Brooks and we were delighted to be asked to come and be part of the Traditional Music Day - what a fantastic time we all had! There was something for everyone - a wonderful collection of jig dolls from around the world with Pat Pickles on hand and Goff Evans demonstrating and getting everyone to have a go. Amongst many children's activities was a competition to design a jig doll - some marvellously imaginative drawings, one in a night cap and teddy bear - they should look good wobbling about in time with the music. The Step Dance Special not only had the famed Orchard family but also many of the local step dancers, plus a whole handful of Gypsy dancers, who turned up unexpectedly and all gave us a turn - on my own step board, I'll never wash it again! All day around the site were music & step dance sessions hosted by the various guests, a family ceilidh with Grand Union to get everyone up and dancing and even in between the programmed events, impromptu music, singing and dancing entertained us all. The evening concert was packed full and the highlight for me was the Orchard family - Tom's step dancing is second to none, lively and inventive, Jean's stepping was graceful and elegant, and her singing just magnificent, and top notch accordion from their son Ashley. The site itself is beautiful with lovely old barns, a smithy and a great collection of gypsy caravans.”                                                                                                                                                       Kerry Fletcher (Guest dancer)

“What fun we had in the cool but welcoming interior of Edgar's Farmhouse on the warmest and best yet Traditional Music Day. Now with a delightful garden outside too, the intimate setting allows the performers to relax and build a rapport with an attentive audience. For me, the wonderful singing of Chris Bartram and Jean Orchard stood out amongst the familiar treats of a variety of squeezeboxes, strings and stepping.”

                                                                                                                                       Shirley Harry (Edgar’s Farmhouse concert compere)

“Stowmarket Traditional Music Day had its usual array of fascinating guests but for me a particular highlight was the step dancing. This year Tom and Jean Orchard and their son Ashley entertained us with music, songs and step dancing. The word had obviously gone round that the Orchards were coming as various friends and relatives from other parts of East Anglia turned up and danced - Pamela Buckley from King's Lynn and Richard Davies of Cromer. John Howson quickly roped them in for the Step Dance Spectacular at which he even did a step himself!”

                                                                                                                                                                                 Sarah Crofts (dancer)

“This year was our first visit to the EATMT Traditional Music Day, and what an excellent day it was. We started the day by going to see Mat Green & Andy Turner, who provided us with some fine musicianship & song. The Big Music Session was very well attended - it was good to see so many fellow concertina players under one roof. I also found it heartening to see some young musicians playing to a very high standard, which bodes well for the future of traditional music. All in all a perfect day in a perfect setting. A well organised cross section of folk art and music helped along by plenty of sunshine and beer.”   

                                                                                                                              Martyn White (musician)

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2006 photographs  

2005 photographs

2004 photographs

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