Sea Folk Sing was a touring choral production in North Kent and part of a 2 -year project, that aimed to involve more older people in the arts to improve wellbeing.
In its final year (2019), the Sea Folk Sing choral group presented a beautiful collection of new songs written with the people of North Kent. From the energetic The Dockyard Rush to the enigmatic Hidden Powers, the work is an exploration of our historic relationship with the sea and of our hopes for the future in the face of changing tides.
The recent work featured support from Rochester folk band The Flowing with guest Russell Jemmett, and the songwriters of the new work, Anil Sebastian, Lucky Moyo, Naomi Bedford and Paul Simmonds.
Sea Folk Sing is an Ideas Test + SparkedEcho production that toured Gravesend, Gillingham and Sheerness during 2-23 November 2019. It was commissioned by Ideas Test, the Creative People and Places organisation covering Swale and Medway.
In its final year (2019), the Sea Folk Sing choral group presented a beautiful collection of new songs written with the people of North Kent. From the energetic The Dockyard Rush to the enigmatic Hidden Powers, the work is an exploration of our historic relationship with the sea and of our hopes for the future in the face of changing tides.
The recent work featured support from Rochester folk band The Flowing with guest Russell Jemmett, and the songwriters of the new work, Anil Sebastian, Lucky Moyo, Naomi Bedford and Paul Simmonds.
Sea Folk Sing is an Ideas Test + SparkedEcho production that toured Gravesend, Gillingham and Sheerness during 2-23 November 2019. It was commissioned by Ideas Test, the Creative People and Places organisation covering Swale and Medway.
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Who are the artists?
From top left clockwise: Anil Sebastian, Lucky Moyo, Bob Carling, Paul Simmonds, Naomi Bedford and Debbie Sowter.
Debbie Sowter, Choral Director is an experienced choral animateur from Rochester, is the founder of Together Talking Music specialising in voice therapy and inclusive arts projects, including work with Chickenshed Inclusive Theatre Company.
Bob Carling, Music Leader is a folk musician and songwriter from Gillingham, who plays guitar in the Acoustic Architects and is Co-Director of the Hopping Down folk group and Oast House Community Choir.
Anil Sebastian, Songwriter is an established singer, producer and composer based in Folkestone, who founded the London Contemporary Voices Choir and has collaborated with Imogen Heap, Sam Smith and Alt-J.
Lucky Moyo, Songwriter is an experienced community musician, dancer and songwriter in Sittingbourne, is a founding member of Zimbabwean group Black Umfolosi and has performed with Peter Gabriel and Jimmy Cliff.
Naomi Bedford and Paul Simmonds, Songwriters are a critically-acclaimed folk duo from Sussex, whose collaborations include working with Shirley Collins, Orbital and Justin Currie. Paul is the principle songwriter of cult folk band The Men They Couldn’t Hang.
Bob Carling, Music Leader is a folk musician and songwriter from Gillingham, who plays guitar in the Acoustic Architects and is Co-Director of the Hopping Down folk group and Oast House Community Choir.
Anil Sebastian, Songwriter is an established singer, producer and composer based in Folkestone, who founded the London Contemporary Voices Choir and has collaborated with Imogen Heap, Sam Smith and Alt-J.
Lucky Moyo, Songwriter is an experienced community musician, dancer and songwriter in Sittingbourne, is a founding member of Zimbabwean group Black Umfolosi and has performed with Peter Gabriel and Jimmy Cliff.
Naomi Bedford and Paul Simmonds, Songwriters are a critically-acclaimed folk duo from Sussex, whose collaborations include working with Shirley Collins, Orbital and Justin Currie. Paul is the principle songwriter of cult folk band The Men They Couldn’t Hang.
A two-year project
Performing 'Never Again' on the train from Sittingbourne to Sheerness-on-Sea - Sea Folk Sing (2018). Credit: Hope Fitzgerald
Sea Folk Sing (2018)
Inspired by stories from the First World War, Never Again by composer Emily Peasgood was performed on a moving train.
What did people say last year?
"The passion and emotion it evoked - it was so enjoyable meeting so many wonderful people. Being part of a community-based collaboration and respecting the experience of all those impacted by WW1 was the highlight" - Choral singer, Sittingbourne (2018)
"I went to my first music workshop yesterday and it was absolutely fantastic. I had the best time and we amazingly wrote a rather lovely folk song" - Songwriting workshop participant, Sheerness (2018)
"This sort of thing is excellent for getting communities together... It's made me feel good about living in Medway" - Choral Singer, The Historic Dockyard Chatham (2018)
Funders & supporters
