GREENWICH TRADITIONAL
MUSICIANS CO-OPERATIVE
Welcome to our homepage!
LIVE AT THE LORD HOOD PH 300 CREEK ROAD *************************** ********************** |
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Greenwich Traditional Musicians Co-operative is a non-profit making contact group for local musicians with an interest in traditional music. Our mission is to promote the learning and enjoyment of all types of traditional music, dance and song.
Since 1992 we have met and played music in central Greewich. Early in 2005 we moved from our old home at the Cricketers (which was sold) to our new home at the Lord Hood. Here we hold regular Tuesday night English music sessions. We did have a little difficulty with Greenwich Council, but that's all resolved now. Competent musicians or singers are very welcome to join us - or even if you're just starting. Those wishing to come along and listen are equally welcome - though make sure that you get there in good time if you want a seat!
World Music.... The opportunity is available for selected traditional/acoustic musicians worldwide who are touring/visiting the UK to contact us if they would like to play in Greenwich.
Education, education ; We are looking into the possibility of funding to run a regular Friday evening English music teaching and learning session for all the family. As an important part of our national heritage, English folk music and dancing have become sadly neglected in recent years. Our aim is to try and get new blood into the process, encouraging particularly, local youngsters and women, whose involvement is often very limited by the pub environment in which a lot of traditional music activity takes place.
We hope also to run public barn dances once a month to enable those pupils with recently acquired new musical, or calling skills to perform as part of the band, and for local people to enjoy having a go at English "country" dancing. We have been able to provide bands and callers for several events, but during 2008 we are hoping to hold some music workshops with dances in the evening.
Diversity is the Key ; As an example, among our members, we have experienced and highly skilled performers in the following styles: -
American Old-time
Baroque
Bluegrass
Breton music
Cajun
Contemporary folk
Early music
English Country Dance
Folk/blues
Folk/ballad singing
French
Irish Ceilidh
Morris dancing
Scottish bagpipes
Shanty singing
Direct Access ; We are not an agency, although we may be seen occasionally to serve some of the same functions. Our aim is to put people in touch directly with our own members as suitable performers. We do not therefore charge a fee for our services (although donations are gratefully accepted!). Any contract is between the musician(s) and hirer. As an organisation we are not responsible for, and take no part in this process.
The Future ; Our plan is both to hold as many musical events in Greenwich as we are able, and to provide the opportunity for talented local performers, some of whom remain undiscovered, to participate in existing local festivities such as the Greenwich & Docklands festival. We are in the process of recording a selection of our tunes and songs onto CD which should be available in the near future.
Copies of the tunes that we play (over 200) should soon be available as downloadable files (midi or JPEG format). We're working on it! To encourage those nervous of visiting a session, for the enjoyment of others and for our own benefit, we have now published a book of tunes that we play at the session which can be downloaded or bought. If you don't want the book, we also have about 150 tunes listed which can be downloaded for free. We also have some live recordings which can be downloaded for free. To browse our tunes database or buy the book, visit our music page.
Advice & Membership - We are also able to offer advice on running a traditional music event. Please feel free to get in touch with our contact should you require any of our services or wish to participate in any way.
Lets Boogie! - Illustration by Jonathan (age7)
Look at at our photo gallery or ...
See us in action on Tuesday evenings at
300 CREEK ROAD
LONDON SE10 9SW
Telephone: 020 8858 1836
English music session starting at 9.00 weekly; free entry
E-mail Greg (GTMC) secretary@greentrad.org.uk
Visits
since 18th Nov 2001