Music – Get Involved
Don’t just watch the music – get involved! Whether you’re an experienced musician, an enthusiastic beginner, a singer, dancer, or simply fancy trying something new, there are loads of opportunities to join in across the weekend.
Music Workshops
Folk Orc
They’re back! Come and be part of Folk ORC’s festival band.
Join us on Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings for three workshops where we’ll learn six traditional folk songs together before performing them on the Fire Stage at 12pm on Sunday.
Bring your own instrument or borrow one of ours – we’ll have mandolins, tenor guitars, banjos, bodhráns and fiddles available to try. Whether you’re an experienced player or you’ve always fancied having a go, everyone is welcome. Come for one workshop or all three – and join us for the Sunday performance!
Festival Band Workshops: Friday & Saturday 10:30am–12:30pm; Sunday 10:30am–12pm | Folk Orc Tent
Festival Band Performance: Sunday 12pm | Fire Stage
Songbook Session: Saturday 3pm–4pm | Folk Orc Tent
African Drumming with James Goff
James Goff of The Midnight Alliance has had a passion for West African drumming and culture for 28 years, learning from masters and teachers in both the UK and Gambia. His fun, welcoming classes explore technique, traditional rhythms and interesting breaks.
Friday 3pm–4pm | Folk Front Room
Sunday 1:30pm–2:30pm | Folk Orc Tent
How to Play Bluegrass with Charlotte Carrivick
A practical introduction to playing bluegrass. Whether you’re new to the genre or looking to develop your skills, you’ll pick up techniques and ideas to get you ready to form a band or join a bluegrass jam.
Friday 11am–12pm | Word Stage
Harmonica Workshop with Ed Hopgood
Join The Rigmarollers’ ace Ed Hopgood for a harmonica workshop – probably the world’s most underrated instrument! Ed is a London harmonica teacher, music graduate and professional educator, playing blues harp, folk, roots, Country & Bluegrass.
Harmonicas will be available at the workshop, or bring your own (key of C diatonic/10-hole).
Friday 12:30pm–1:30pm | Duck Tent
Western Swing Fiddle with Chris Haigh
Join Chris Haigh of The Boot Heel Playboys – best known for The Fiddle Channel on YouTube – for a lively Western Swing fiddle workshop exploring infectious rhythms, classic bowing techniques and improvisation.
Saturday 1:30pm–2:30pm | Folk Orc Tent
Celtic Tune & Guitar Accompaniment with Tóchar
A workshop of two halves for intermediate musicians. Melody players will learn a couple of lively Celtic tunes, while accompanists explore ways to support traditional music with confidence and flair. The two groups then come together to create a wonderfully rich session sound. Tunes will be taught by ear.
Saturday 3pm–4pm | Folk Front Room
Folk Funk Fusion
Join Rebecca Field-Bunney and Matt Tarling for a high-energy workshop transforming folk music into something bold, exciting and impossible to sit still to. Expect driving rhythms, creative arrangements, collaborative music-making and a final performance that will have the audience on their feet.
Strings, woodwind, brass, percussion, guitar, ukulele – if you love making music and want to be part of something fresh and exciting, this is for you. All ages welcome.
Sunday 3pm–4pm | Folk Orc Tent
Bluegrass Fiddle with Jeri Foreman & Grace Honeywell
Explore the driving rhythms, lively melodies and distinctive style of bluegrass fiddle with Jeri Foreman and Grace Honeywell. Through tunes, tips and hands-on playing, they’ll help you capture the sound and techniques that make bluegrass so infectious. Bring your fiddle and get ready to play along!
Sunday 10:30am–11:30am | Word Stage
Flatfoot Percussive Dancing with Martha Spencer
Join acclaimed Appalachian musician and dancer Martha Spencer for a lively introduction to flatfoot dancing. Discover the rhythms, steps and traditions of this energetic folk dance style, suitable for all abilities.
Sunday 11am–12pm | Bar Barn
Singing Workshops
There are five different singing workshops this year – no need to be an experienced singer, just come along and join in.
Siriol from Rholben
Siriol Davies and John Ruddock return to run their popular Welsh song workshop. Learn beautiful arrangements of traditional Welsh songs and be part of this year’s Côr Cymraeg Cwm Purbeck – Purbeck Valley Welsh Choir!
Friday 10:30am–11:30am | Long Barn
Cantos do Mundo
Enjoy singing in a group, learning beautiful short songs by ear in different languages and discovering new harmonies. Friendly and fun, even if you only sing in the shower – and be prepared for some funky folky warm-ups!
Friday 1:30pm–2:30pm | Folk Orc Tent
Saturday 10:30am–11:30am | Long Barn
Singing Improvisation
Play musical games and create improvised songs together using just our voices and some body percussion. Suitable for complete beginners and experienced musicians alike.
Friday & Saturday 3pm–4:30pm | Folk Front Room
Clara Atkins
Come and learn uplifting songs from around the world. All voices welcome! Everything will be taught by ear and sung a cappella. Clara is an experienced singer, choir leader and workshop facilitator based in Wiltshire, returning for her third year at PVFF.
Sunday 10:30am–11:30am | Long Barn
Wareham Whalers
Join local shanty-singing extraordinaires The Wareham Whalers for some Sunday shanty fun. A friendly workshop introducing shanties, their stories and plenty of opportunities to join in with these wonderful songs of the sea.
Sunday 1:30pm–2:30pm | Folk Front Room
Sessions & Jams
Bring an instrument, bring a song – or just come along and listen. Our informal sessions are a great way to meet other musicians and make some music together.
Sing-Around
Join No Strings Attached for our daily lunchtime singaround. Bring a song, join in with other people’s songs, or just listen.
This year’s themes are:
Friday: Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor etc
Saturday: Songs of the South West
Sunday: Songs of Peace and Protest
You don’t have to stick to the themes!
Friday, Saturday & Sunday 11am–1pm | Folk Front Room
Bluegrass Jam
Bring your instrument and join members of the British Bluegrass Music Association for a relaxed, welcoming bluegrass jam open to players of all abilities.
Friday, Saturday & Sunday 12pm–2pm | Makers Market
Irish / Celtic Session
There are always diddly sessions around at Purbeck, but this year we’re making it slightly less down to chance so you know where to find one! Sessions are open and friendly, and good session etiquette is encouraged.
Friday 3pm–5pm | Makers Market
Saturday 5pm–7pm | Makers Market
Sunday 2:30pm–4:30pm | Makers Market
Old-Time Session
An informal old-time session playing traditional Appalachian tunes, open to anyone who’d like to join in.
Saturday 2:30pm–4:30pm | Makers Market
Sea Shanty Singalong with Kelp!
Join Kelp! for a Sea Shanty Session.
Saturday 1:30pm–2:30pm | Folk Front Room
Ukulele Singalong with SUJ
Grab your ukulele – or simply your singing voice – and join Southampton Ukulele Jam for a fun, friendly singalong packed with well-loved songs and plenty of smiles.
Saturday 4:30pm–5:30pm | Folk Front Room
Anything Goes Session
What it says on the tin! Bring your instrument, join in, play a tune, sing a song – anything goes!
Friday & Sunday 5pm–7pm | Folk Front Room
Open Mic
Fancy taking to the stage yourself? The Duck Tent hosts great music throughout the weekend and opens its doors for Open Mic sessions in the afternoons. See Chris to book your slot.
Friday 2:30pm–6pm | Duck Tent
Saturday 12:30pm–1:30pm & 2:30pm–6pm | Duck Tent
Sunday 1:30pm–5pm | Duck Tent