Stick Youth Band, (StickY-B)
The beginning of 2009, saw the start of an exciting new project in the Tiverton/Willand area of Devon. Under the guidance of Sue Rivett, a peripatetic music teacher & fiddle player in the band “Stick the Fiddle”, a new youth folk band was formed.
On Friday, 15th May, Stick Youth Band, (StickY-B) together with some parents & Stick the Fiddle, played for a Family Folk Dance Party in Ash Thomas Village Hall. Approaching almost Ceilidh band proportions, ten fiddlers, mandolin, guitar, cello, two double basses & euphonium took to the stage.
Aileen Wills, with all her knowledge & experience, was able to guide the families & friends through the dances & even taught a Devon Broom Dance to some enthusiastic dancers. Brooms will never be quite the same for many families in future!
Throughout the evening, StickY-B played confidently & their music was great to dance to. Sue is continuing to build up their repertoire by producing books of tunes & CDs for them.
Why not follow the example of Willand & Gittisham Folk Dance Clubs & invite these young people to play for your club? They are well worth the encouragement & you will thoroughly enjoy their music.
At a time when we are all concerned about the lack of young people in our clubs, Sue, with the backing of her band members, Bruce & Greta & some very supportive parents, is working hard to do something about that. From what I observed, these young people have found something very worthwhile in our traditional folk dancing & music & are interested in finding out more.
Three girls from Stick-YB, Charlotte, Maggie & Grace, are auditioning on 26th September at Newton Abbot, to become members of The National Youth Folklore Troupe of England. We wish them luck. I personally think NYFTE will be very fortunate to have them in the troupe!
Patricia Reid
May 2009
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