Ceilidh Band Project - Five tunes and dances for first access instrumental programmes

The arrangements and dances in this resource were taken from Camden Music Service’s Wider Opportunities (First Access Instrumental) Ceilidh Project which has run over the past few years in association with the English Folk Dance and Song Society. The project provides an opportunity for children to learn ceilidh tunes and the dances that go with them. During the project they are involved as musicians (playing to accompany other children dancing) and as dancers (dancing whilst other children are playing).

Music and dancing in many cultures are considered to be the same thing. Western music has largely lost this link, however ceilidh / country / folk dancing is one of the few ways where this remains and the Ceilidh Project encourages children to re-establish that link. It gives them a chance to play for a purpose, to play with a sense of ensemble and musicality, and to think about a style of music they perhaps haven’t encountered before.

The musical arrangements and dance instructions in the resource are of course equally suitable for beginner level musicians and dancers of any age. This is one of the most positive aspects of folk – it is adaptable and can be accessed and enjoyed by participants of all generations!

This resource is one of over 100 educational materials in the English Folk Dance and Song Society’s Resource Bank of free, downloadable materials. These are designed for you to use in your teaching and learning, incorporating English traditional folk song, music, dance, drama and other arts. They are suitable for use in formal and informal settings including primary, secondary and SEN schools, youth ensembles, community choirs, adult learning and more.

www.efdss.org/resourcebank