Community Song Cycle: Across the Whinny Moor
A Walk through stories and songs by John Barber and Hazel Gould
World premiere: Saturday 8 June, 4pm, St Peter’s Church, Norton
Do you believe in magic? Star singer Victoria Simmonds, storyteller Rosie Barrett, and an all-age local cast bring cheeky hobs, angry mermaids, resourceful giants and wise witches to larger-than-life in Across the Whinny Moor.
The Community Song Cycle, inspired by the famous Lyke-Wake Walk is an evocative and mysterious tapestry of magical thinking, Yorkshire superstitions and the power of imagination packed full of local folk legends. The story gently follows the shape of the walk dwelling in spots of interest to explore the stories, such as The Ballad of Wade and Bell, where at Wade’s causeway just over half-way along, the songs tell of mermaids as the first glimpses of the sea come into sight.
The world premiere is set to take place on Saturday 8 June at 4pm in St Peter’s Church, Norton with a cast of over 100 local school children and amateur singers raising the roof.
Across the Whinny Moor has been co-created by these local singers and composer John Barber and writer Hazel Gould. Developed through sessions in local schools, a one-off event for young people and workshops with members of the local choirs online, together they have explored local folklore and ideas, creating new segments of text and music which John and Hazel worked into the new song cycle.
Alison Davis who runs three of the choirs taking part in Across the Whinny Moor – Harmonia, The Ryelarks and Ryedale Voices – said, “We are thrilled to be part of this community song cycle and have enjoyed working with John and Hazel since January. It was great to see them at choir rehearsals and they’ve taken away a good idea of our level and style and have written some incredible original material for us, quite different from our usual music.”
In amongst the new music Victoria Simmonds sings work by Schubert (The Erl King), Handel and Rebecca Clarke. Shining Brass plays Baba Yaga by Mendelssohn and traditional folk tunes including the Lyke Wake dirge and ‘the lark in the morning’ which have been specially and beautifully arranged by Barber.
Rosie Barrett works to create original stories that bring heritage to life, often commissioned by museums including Ryedale Folk Museum. She has recently worked on its current exhibition ‘Believe it or not?’ which showcases over 200 objects connected with magical thinking and folk beliefs, many of which are explored in Across the Whinny Moor.
Rosie added: “I’ve always had a particular fondness for folklore, which I believe connects us deeply with our ancestors. When we hear the stories that the people of the past heard, we are sharing in the emotions and experiences that they shared, and, by reinventing folk tales, we ensure that they stay relevant for each generation.”
Writer Hazel Gould shared: “I love to go walking, and often use walking time as a way to clear my head. If I can resist the temptation to listen to a podcast or music, the time I spend walking can often be incredibly helpful if I have an idea that I’m struggling with or need to develop. There’s something about the rhythm of walking that allows my thoughts a bit of free range, away from the distractions of a busy life, and it becomes a place where the imagination can blossom.
“Walking and stories seem to be perfect partners, so we were delighted to discover more about The Lyke Wake Walk, and wanted to use this map across the Moors as a way to bring together some of the stories from the rich folklore of the region. It has been a huge pleasure to learn more. I have loved working alongside our primary school groups and adult choirs to talk about these tales, and create songs together, from angry hobs to misunderstood women, sometimes called witches. We hope you like it too!”
Across the Whinny Moor is presented by Ryedale Festival in association with the Richard Shephard Music Foundation and Ryedale Folk Museum.
Christopher Glynn, Artistic Director of the Ryedale Festival, said: “Enabling and celebrating local music making is very important to the festival. Presented in association with the Richard Shephard Music Foundation and Ryedale Folk Museum, ‘Across the Whinny Moor’ brings together the Ryedale Primary Choir, storyteller Rosie Barrett, a number of local choirs run by Alison Davis, the Kirkbymoorside Town Junior Brass Band, star mezzo-soprano Victoria Simmonds and conductor Caius Lee. John and Hazel have harnessed the rich and wild ideas of all these performers, and we are very excited to hear the result on 8th June. Join us!’’
Cathy Grant, Chief Executive Officer of the Richard Shephard Music Foundation, said: “The young people involved in the community song cycle have been brought together by the Richard Shephard Music Foundation, the charity helping to increase musical opportunities for children in our region. They come from the Ryedale Primary Choir and local primary schools and are aged between 7 and 13. Overall around 120 children have taken part in songwriting workshops, in-school singing workshops or choir rehearsals and a group of these will be in the final performance on Saturday 8th June, singing alongside the adult choir and other musicians.”