Information

Photo: Alan Rosevear

At an extraordinary general meeting held on 24 April 2023 it was unanimously decided to incorporate folklore into the Music Section and as a result the Section has been renamed Music and Folklore.

The Music and Folklore Section arranges three events a year that inform, educate and entertain anyone with an interest in the music of this county. Our aim is to promote music, of all styles, inspired by or with roots in Devon through talks and performances. From the summer of 2024 we will also arrange talks on folklore, occasionally as separate events. We collaborate with venues across the region to reach as many members as we can. Illustrated talks by accomplished researchers also give us a local perspective of music making and song writing in Devon. We intend to organise most events live but are open to using an online platform for talks or if guest speakers are unable to travel due to distance or other restrictions.

The music the section has previously presented includes a wide range of styles, genres and skills. We have previously featured folk choirs, shanty groups, a Devon Romani family and their living traditions, jazz musicians and composers of new music as well as instrument makers and music historians. All these have had strong connections with Devon, connecting with the county either as an inspiration, a source of material or a chosen place to work.

Some of our events have crossed boundaries, either musical or geographical. For example, an exploration of Devon call-change bellringing placed alongside traditional bellringing songs which borrow the melodic structures; and a presentation of songs which emigrated from Devon to Newfoundland and became adapted to their new surroundings.