BBC Proms Folk Day 2008

The RtCT Preview Event Series is pleased to announce a very special preview event!

For the first time in the 114 years history of the world-renowned BBC Proms, one day of this prestigious event will be dedicated to celebrating traditional music, song and dance. Return to Camden Town Festival Director Karen Ryan, is a consultant on the event which will take place on Sunday 20th July.

In recognition and support of the strong traditional Irish music community in Britain, the BBC Proms Team, in conjunction with the Return to Camden Town Festival, is commissioning a new project called 'The Trad Gathering' for young traditional musicians from different music schools across London, St Alban's, Luton, Cambridge, Milton Keynes and further afield in the UK. Registered interest to date suggests that there will be a group of musicians to match the size of an orchestra.

Led by renowned Traditional Irish band, The London Lasses and Pete Quinn (who will also be performing for the late evening céilí at the Royal Albert Hall), the young musicians are currently working on the 15 minute piece which will be rehearsed over two weekends in July and finally performed at the Proms Folk Day on Sunday 20th July.

There is a full day of free music, dance, song and storytelling in prospect. Artists include:

Martin Simpson – stellar guitar player
Muzsikás – wonderful Romanian/Hungarian band
Kathryn Tickell and her Folkestra
Bellowhead - boisterous 11-piece big band and winners of three Radio 2 Folk Awards.
The Ian MacMillan Orchestra
Bella Hardy
The London Lasses and Pete Quinn
The Trad Gathering
BBC Family Orchestra
BBC Family Chorus
The Camden Set Dancers
The Ragged but Right Dance Band
Stanley Robertson
Billy Teare
Cath Little.

Programme

12.00 – 3.00 pm. The day kicks off at lunchtime in Kensington Gardens (bring a picnic), with performances on the bandstand and in surrounding marquees by Bellowhead, Ian MacMillan Orchestra, The London Lasses and Pete Quinn, The Trad Gathering, BBC Family Orchestra, BBC Family Chorus, Camden Set Dancers, The Ragged but Right Dance Band, Stanley Robertson, Billy Teare and Cath Little.

The afternoon features the first ever free Prom, featuring Muzsikás and Kathryn Tickell and her Folkestra, with a programme of folk and folk inspired pieces including works by Bartók and Vaughan Williams.

7.30-9.30 pm. Following the afternoon concert, which explores how folk and traditional music has influenced classical composers, the evening Prom concert at the Royal Albert Hall focuses on artists who are continuing, reviving and reinterpreting the traditions of English folk music, featuring English folk acts Bellowhead, Martin Simpson and Bella Hardy.

10.00 – 10.45 pm. Join your partners in the Arena, or just watch and listen to some great traditional music, as the Late Night Prom features the first ever céilí held in the Royal Albert Hall, with music from Return to Camden Town Director Karen Ryan's band, The London Lasses and Pete Quinn, with calling by Sarah Pavey.

The evening céilí is free to ticket-holders for the 7.30pm concert; dancers require a free dancing ticket, available now by calling the Box Office 0845 401 5040. For further details of how to buy tickets, see the BBC website!