Suffolk Folk

The Way Through The Woods

Thus, thanks to Suffolk Folk, the Everyman Folk Club, and the Big Music Nights and a lucky late cancellation, we at Combs were able to enjoy not one but two days of support from this duo. It did indeed prove fortuitous from the school's perspective because it enabled a whole year group to experience Sarah and Carolyn's collective expertise. Half the year group therefore, approximately sixty children, had their workshop on day one, whilst the remainder had their experience on the Friday.

The theme for both days was The Way Through The Woods, which looked at the symbolism and stories relating to trees as well as elements of Social History and the uses of trees. The children had done some prior work ahead of the day and produced some fine imaginative and creative writing for Sarah and Carolyn. Some pieces were incorporated into the presentation made to the whole school at the end of the day.

The children were taken on a vocal journey through the myths and legends of tree culture and were taught a range of songs to perform. And yes, they did perform. Our pupils sang two or three part harmonies, and they all retained that focus and effort throughout the session. What was significant from my point of view was that these were not hand-chosen pupils who would have turned up to sing the Spanish national anthem had they been asked (and, yes, I know, there are no words to the Spanish anthem!), but a complete class of different talents and variable lengths of concentration.

The sum total was a half hour performance by half the year group to the remainder of the school at the end of day one. I can tell you, it is one thing to sing along and enjoy the company of your mates and quite another to perform in front of 400 plus. To their immense credit the youngsters, not only sang beautifully - they retained the focus of the audience throughout.