folk and community arts development charity Wren Music presents a concert featuring two large-scale ensembles: Rough Music, and the Folk Orchestra of North Devon (FOND), on Saturday March 17 at the Plough Arts Centre inTorrington. Rough Music is an uplifting 30-piece folk orchestra, from Exmouth, directed by award-winning piper David Faulkner. The ensemble has a repertoire of tunes that starts in Devon, and works outwards to all corners of the British Isles, into Europe and beyond. Their 2007 Devon concert tour events are being held to celebrate the launch of a new CD recording — Taking It Home (Wren CD010). Many of the tunes on the CD have been sourced from the music of the renowned fiddle player Fred Pidgeon (1880-1970). Fred was a master baker in Stockland, near Honiton, and in his spare time would travel about the villages playing music for local dances. FOND was established in 2006, and now has more than 40 members meeting weekly in Torrington to develop repertoire. This is their first public performance, playing local, traditional English and European music, with musical direction from popular Devon folk fiddlers Nick Wyke and Becki Driscoll. In the afternoon before the concert, there will be a St Patrick's Day music workshop from 3pm to 5pm at the Plough Arts Centre. Players of all instruments are invited to come along and learn Irish folk tunes with Wren Music's David Faulkner. All the tunes can be learned by ear, although scores will be provided if desired. Tickets for the workshop are £6 full price, £5 concessions (inc OAPs), £4 Plough supporters, £16 family (two adults and up to three children). Tickets for the concert and workshop are available from the Plough Arts Centre Box Office, telephone 01805 624624. The concert starts at 8pm. Tickets available on the door at £7 full price, £6 concessions (incOAPs), £5 Plough supporters, £24 family (two adults and up to three children).
