Acapella Folk Choir workshop led by Simon Bailes
Building on the success of the Sea Shanty Workshop earlier this year, The Letchworth Settlement is offering a workshop looking at folk and traditional songs, sung acapella, led by Simon Bailes from Dunton Folk.
In the workshop he will be looking at some simple rounds, some longer chorus songs and then some songs split into two or more harmonies. There may be a sea shanty or two, some songs not in English and then songs from around the United Kingdom.
The core of a folk choir is having fun. Enthusiasm is essential, raw talent is not. Come along and enjoy a couple of hours in the company of like minded people. The joy of singing together is well known so come and experience it first hand!
No experience is needed and although sheet music and lyrics will be provided, the songs will also be taught by ear so you do not need to read music.
Event Information
Price: £19.00
Course Weeks: 1
Room: Kincaid Hall
Campaign: Summer 2026 Workshop Week
Your Tutor
Name: Simon Bailes
Bio: Simon Bailes is a life long folkie having been involved in traditional and folk music activities since university. He has many fingers in the folk pie and those fingers can be summarized as follows. Biggleswade Barnacles – Simon leads the sea shanty group based at The Bigg Theatre in Biggleswade. The group meets once a month to rehearse and then perform at least once per month. Jack In A Barrel – Simon sings tenor in a six piece acapella group based in Turvey, just outside Bedford. Their core repertoire is folk and related songs. Dunton Folk – Simon organises events under the Dunton Folk banner including pub music sessions, traditional music concerts and the annual Dunton Wassail. Letchworth Morris – a mixed, Cotswold morris side based in Letchworth. Simon has danced and played the accordion for them for fifteen years.
Department: Humanities