Ballad for Southwell

A Ballad for Southwell, what participants said:

Posted on by CommonAs

We have had some lovely feedback on our latest project ‘A Ballad for Southwell’ with Chris T-T’s at The Workhouse, Southwell. Here’s what the participants had to say:

For me it has been a great experience. I have been a reseracher here for 19 years. It is easy to get stuck in a rut. This project has given me new insights into how some of the research can be used in new ways. The research I have done over the last 2 years has been used in a variety of new ways – in the songs of Chris T-T, some of the new technologies that have been trialled in recent months at the Workhouse, includng being involved in recording some of the songs, and discussing song structure with Chis. It has been good to work with him and CommonAs – Lesley & Darren. They have been inspiring to us and I think we have been a valuable source for them. – Workhouse Volunteer

I thought it was brilliant. – National Trust Staff Member    Read More

Chris T-T Live at The Workhouse

Posted on by CommonAs

On 14 October Chris T-T performed the completed works from his Creative Fellowship live in the historic Committee Room of the Workhouse, Southwell.  He sang 13 songs created during the fellowship, several with lyrics co-written by volunteers and staff from the Workhouse.  The works included songs based on the stories of past residents at the Workhouse, researched by volunteers, others inspired by the testimony of those remembering the property in the the twentieth century, before it closed, and some exploring the contemporary relevance on the site.

Here are a couple of excerpts – Chris’s opening song ‘Oakum part 1’ sung a cappella, and ‘Knock it Down Tomorrow’, referring to comments made in aural history testimonies held in the archive at The Workhouse.

 

 

FIRST performance ‘A Ballad for Southwell’ by Chris T-T

Posted on by CommonAs

chris firbeck       DSC1749 copy

As part of Heritage Open Day 2016, Chris T-T will be sharing publicly for the first time works created for the project ‘A Ballad for Southwell’. The works have been created in collaboration with volunteers and staff from The Workhouse, Southwell, and will performed in the former infirmary of this Victorian Workhouse, now operated by The National Trust. The project is coordinated by curatorial collective, CommonAs in partnership with The Workhouse, Southwell.

Chris will perform three live sets as follows:

  • 11am in the Committee Room in the main Workhouse building, (performed on the original harmonium for this set only).
  • Repeated 2pm & 3pm in the former Workhouse Infirmary, Firbeck House.

There is no need to book in advance, but space will be tight, so if you want to be sure to hear Chris perform we advise you get there early.

This will also be a rare chance to see inside the infirmary building, Firbeck House, not normally open to the public.

Heritage Open Day is free and open to all. There will be lots of other exciting stuff happening throughout the day at The Workhouse. For full details check their What’s on page.

‘A Ballad for Southwell’ is supported by lottery funding from Arts Council England and coordinated by CommonAs with The Workhouse Southwell. It is part of the Re-imaging The Workhouse programme.

reimagining logo with red          NT logo            Print

Work in Progess – A Ballad for Southwell

Posted on by CommonAs

At the  beginning of July we shot some video footage of Chris T-T at The Workhouse, Southwell, as he played through work in progress for A Ballad of Southwell and we began creating audio recordings for The Workhouse’s new Audio Visitor Guide, to be launched at the end of the  month.  Chris performed the works on the beautiful harmonium in the Workhouse Committee room and on his guitar in the former Workhouse Infirmary building, Firbeck House, to great acoustic effect.

 

 

 

 

Chris T-T at the Challenging Histories Conference

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In June we attended the Re-imaging Challenging Histories Conference in Cardiff. Jim Grevatte and Sam Ball from The workhouse gave a presentation on the Re-imaging The Workhouse project, of which Chris T-T’s residency, ‘A Ballad for Southwell’, organised by CommonAs is part.  Following their presentation Chris T-T spoke about his research and working with volunteers, and performed some works in progress to conference delegates.