Phoenix Folk Virtual Ensemble
Phoenix Folk Virtual Ensemble is a project which aims to provide an opportunity for our online community of musicians to create ensemble performances, using new arrangements of traditional tunes. It has been running every month since October 2020.
The project is open to players of any folk instrument. There are a mix of parts available (tune, harmony, bassline, chords, simple harmony/tune skeleton) so players of all levels of ability are welcome to take part. Individual performances don’t have to be perfect, the main aim is to have fun and play music together!
You don’t need any special equipment to take part – just something to record yourself on eg. a laptop, tablet or smartphone.
We’re friendly and easy to get in contact with, and will help with any questions throughout the month.
Digital albums of virtual ensemble performances now available – click on the images below
How it works
The project runs in blocks, each lasting one month, during which time participants can download a resource pack containing sheet music, audio and video for two tunes (or sets of tunes). A Zoom rehearsal takes place a week before the recording deadline. This is optional, and we make the rehearsal recording available for those who are unable to attend. After the rehearsal, participants send us video (or audio) of themselves playing along to the guide tracks included in the download. We mix the audio into an arrangement and create a video collage. Everyone taking part will receive a copy of the videos to keep, and we also share these online as a ‘performance’.
The cost for taking part is £7.50 per block (per person), but you can pay more if you wish to make a voluntary contribution to our costs. There’s no obligation, and you are very welcome to pay the basic fee. The price includes all learning materials, one zoom rehearsal and being included in the ensemble videos for both tunes/sets of tunes.
Block 23: August 2022
We will be working on a well known Scottish air and an Irish reel:
- Neil Gow’s Lament for the Death of his Second Wife
- Red Haired Boy
Extracts of the arrangements (played on fiddle & guitar)
Sample playalong track:
- Zoom rehearsal: Sunday 21st August 4.30pm UK time (if you can’t attend, you can view the recording instead).
- Recordings: Please send these in by 10pm Friday 26th August (or 12 noon, Saturday 27th August by arrangement)
- Video release: We’ll aim to release the ensemble videos on or after the 29th August 2022.
Block 1: October 2020
If you’d like to buy the sheet music and practice audio/video for these tunes, you can do so here.
Coilsfield House (Gow, arr Condie & Dodgson)
Bear Dance/Theme Vannetaise (Trad, arr Condie & Dodgson)
Block 2: November 2020
If you’d like to buy the sheet music and practice audio/video for these tunes, you can do so here.
51st Highland Division’s Farewell to Sicily (Robertson, arr Condie & Dodgson)
Arran Boat Song/Oyster Wife’s Rant (Trad, arr Condie & Dodgson)
Block 3: December 2020
If you’d like to buy the sheet music and practice audio/video for these tunes, you can do so here.
Halsway Carol (Nigel Eaton, arr Condie & Dodgson)
The Christmas Set (Trad, arr Condie & Dodgson)
Block 4: January 2021
If you’d like to buy the sheet music and practice audio/video for these tunes, you can do so here.
Ae Fond Kiss/Ye Banks and Braes (Trad)
Lea Rig/Buttered Peas (Stumpie)
Block 5: February 2021
If you’d like to buy the sheet music and practice audio/video for these tunes, you can do so here.
Rothbury Hills (Jack Armstrong)
Morpeth Lasses/Cuckold Come out of the Amery (trad)
Block 6: March 2021
If you’d like to buy the sheet music and practice audio/video for these tunes, you can do so here.
Inisheer/The South Wind
All Through the Night/Pant Corlan Yr Wyn/Ymgrychdon Y Waunlwyd
Block 7: April 2021
If you’d like to buy the sheet music and practice audio/video for these tunes, you can do so here.
Bagpipers
English Country Garden/Portsmouth
Block 8: May 2021
If you’d like to buy the sheet music and practice audio/video for these tunes, you can do so here.
Orange in Bloom/Out on the Ocean (The Fanta Set)
Egan’s Polka/John Ryan’s Polka
Block 9: June 2021
If you’d like to buy the sheet music and practice audio/video for these tunes, you can do so here.
Hancock Waltz/Wuppertal Waltz (Gillian Tolfrey)
Bonaparte’s Retreat
Block 10: July 2021
If you’d like to buy the sheet music and practice audio/video for these tunes, you can do so here.
Alloa House
Ward’s Brae/Lamshaw’s Fancy
Block 11: August 2021
If you’d like to buy the sheet music and practice audio/video for these tunes, you can do so here.
Trumpet Hornpipe (Captain Pugwash!)
Farwell to Glasgow/Skye Boat Song
Block 12: September 2021
If you’d like to buy the sheet music and practice audio/video for these tunes, you can do so here.
Cumbernauld House
Whinshields Hornpipe/Whinham’s Reel
Block 13: October 2021
If you’d like to buy the sheet music and practice audio/video for these tunes, you can do so here.
Newcastle/Because he was a Bonny Lad
Noble Squire Dacre/Peacock’s Tune
Block 14: November 2021
If you’d like to buy the sheet music and practice audio/video for these tunes, you can do so here.
Wild Hills of Wannie
100 Pipers
Block 15: December 2021
If you’d like to buy the sheet music and practice audio/video for these tunes, you can do so here.
Christmas Set (O Come O Come Emmanuel, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, In Dulci Jubilo)
Joe Hutton’s March (Archie Dagg)
Block 16: January 2022
If you’d like to buy the sheet music and practice audio/video for these tunes, you can do so here.
Elsie’s Waltz (Archie Dagg)
Constant Billy, Maid of the Mill
Block 17: February 2022
If you’d like to buy the sheet music and practice audio/video for these tunes, you can do so here.
Leaving Lismore (Margaret Martin-Hardie)
Dinnington Rant, Durham Rangers
Block 18: March 2022
If you’d like to buy the sheet music and practice audio/video for these tunes, you can do so here.
Planxty Irwin (O’Carolan)
Jamie Allen, Salmon Tails up the Water (Trad)
Block 19: April 2022
If you’d like to buy the sheet music and practice audio/video for these tunes, you can do so here.
Bonny at Morn
Mazurka d’Auvergne, Tommy People’s Mazurka
Block 20: May 2022
If you’d like to buy the sheet music and practice audio/video for these tunes, you can do so here.
Miss Jamieson’s Favourite
Rakes of Mallow, The Rose Tree
Block 21: June 2022
If you’d like to buy the sheet music and practice audio/video for these tunes, you can do so here.
My Cape Breton Home (Jerry Holland)
Britches Full of Stitches, The Ballydesmond
Block 22: July 2022
If you’d like to buy the sheet music and practice audio/video for these tunes, you can do so here.
Mary, Young and Fair
Go to Berwick Johnny, Felton Lonnen