Family Events / Folk Day

Proms Folk Day - Sunday 20 July

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On the first ever BBC Proms Folk Day, we'll be opening up the doors of the Royal Albert Hall for a special, FREE Prom, so that anyone can hear the wide range of music we offer in the spectacular surroundings of the Royal Albert Hall for free.

In a day featuring a range of activities, there's the chance to explore the folk world further with Proms Family Orchestra, Proms Family Chorus, and Proms Folk in the Park - a free mini-festival in Kensington Gardens with live music, dancing and storytelling! All these events are free too!

Folk Day Picture Gallery

If you fancy being part of Folk Day, here's a list of the events and performances that are taking place.

10am - 12.00pm
Proms Folk Family Chorus
Royal College of Music
If you love singing and you'd enjoy learning some new folk songs, why not sign up for the Proms Folk Family Chorus? Richard Frostick and his team will lead up to 500 singers in a morning of British folk songs. Everyone is welcome, from keen singers to families who would like to have a go for the first time! The Proms Folk Family Chorus will make its debut performance at Proms Folk in the Park later in the day.
This event is suitable for anyone aged 7 and over.

Here is a list of the lyrics and music used for the Family Folk Day Chorus.

• Blaydon Races
• Read Lyrics
• Listen

• Eriskay Love-lilt
• Read Lyrics
• Listen

• Hal-an-tow
• Read Lyrics
• Listen

• Skye Boat Song
• Read Lyrics
• Listen

• The Lincolnshire Poacher
• Read Lyrics
• Listen

• The Mermaid
• Read Lyrics
• Listen

• The Three Pirates
• Read Lyrics
• Listen

• The Water of Tyne
• Read Lyrics
• Listen

• Turn the glasses over
• Read Lyrics
• Listen
• You can also download a pdf of the lyrics here.

10am - 12.00pm
Proms Folk Family Orchestra
Royal College of Music
Perhaps the Proms Folk Family Orchestra might be more your kind of thing? Join professional musicians from the folk and orchestra worlds to create a new folk piece. All are welcome, from beginners to seasoned performers - and it's ideal for those who haven't picked up their instrument in years! Just book your place, bring your instrument if you have one, and we'll take care of the rest.
This event is suitable for anyone aged 5 and over.

12.00pm - 3.00pm
Proms Folk in the Park
Kensington Gardens bandstand area
A free Proms mini-festival in the park! Bring your family and a picnic and enjoy a variety of folk performances and activities before the afternoon's free concert. Live music from the Ian McMillan Orchestra, The London Lasses and Pete Quinn, the Proms Folk Family Chorus and Orchestra and more.There's also a storytelling tent and folk dancing, or you can jam in the ceilidh tent and have a go on our Proms maypole!
Free and unticketed.

Download a pdf map of Kensington Gardens.

3.30pm - 6.00pm
Proms Folk Day: FREE concert
Royal Albert Hall
We're opening up the doors to the Royal Albert Hall for our first ever free of charge Prom! Come over the road after Folk in the Park to the Royal Albert Hall and experience the Proms for yourself in our special folk-influenced concert.

Programme to include music by Grainger, Vaughan Williams, Berio, Bartók and Kathryn Tickell, plus folk music from the British Isles,Transylvania, the Eastern Carpathian Mountains and Moldova.

Bella Hardy, singer
London Young Musicians
Folkestra
Muzsikás
London Sinfonietta
Martyn Brabbins, conductor

Tickets will be available from the Royal Albert Hall Box Office (in person, online or by phone - 0845 401 5040*) from Monday 30 June.

5.45pm, Royal College of Music
Proms Literary Festival
Ian McMillan and his Orchestra present a cabaret of words and music, showcasing the connections between folk music, poetry and storytelling.
Free to all. Edited broadcast on Radio 3 during tonight's interval.

Proms Folk Day will be rounded off with an evening Prom at 7.30pm featuring Bella Hardy, Martin Simpson and Bellowhead, and a late night ceilidh in the Royal Albert Hall

*Calls from a BT landline are charged at local rate. Charges from mobiles or other networks may be higher.