Letter: Folk music deserves a wider audience
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: Thank you for acknowledging that folk music does exist ('The art of noise', 6 January). With the exception of world and foreign 'roots' music, there has seldom been any mention of a form of music that gives many people a chance to participate.
At a time when GCSE music aims to encourage participation in music making, most books for teachers seem to have a blind spot where folk music is concerned. The assumption is that children will either play classical music exclusively or pop/rock.
The Sixties 'folk revival' may have created an image of beer-strummers but a number of those responsible for making our own country's traditional music more popular are still widely regarded throughout the world. Their records are being re-released on CD and the popularity with people 'in the know' of their concerts at festivals makes it all the more strange that some record stores consign English folk music to the easy listening section of their displays.
Irish and Scottish traditional music does not fare so badly in this respect and, as your article indicated, there are many places in Britain where Irish music is played. There are also many pubs and folk clubs where other British traditions thrive.
I would welcome greater coverage of traditional music. It might encourage those who were put off making music at school to take the plunge and might open other people's eyes both to a real part of their heritage and to much that is unfamiliar and exciting.
Yours faithfully,
LYN LAW
Chester
6 January
(Photograph omitted)
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments