Collaborative. Dynamic. A festival of folk learning and connection.

Whether folk music is your first love or you’re discovering the genre for the very first time, the Folkworks Summer Sessions is a welcoming space for musicians and singers to dive into traditional music and song.

Based at The Glasshouse, Folkworks Summer Sessions runs during the day, with optional evening activities at St Mary’s Heritage Centre just next door!

This year, we’ve also partnered with Saltburn Folk Festival to offer participants an extra performance opportunity on Saturday 8 August at midday. As part of this partnership, Folkworks Summer Sessions attendees will also receive a 10% discount on Weekend Tickets to Saltburn Folk Festival, plus free tent camping or just £10 for ‘camping on wheels’.

What will you learn?
Open to both musicians and singers, the 2026 Folkworks Summer Sessions does not require prior folk experience, just confidence with your instrument or voice.

Across three days, you’ll learn new repertoire from a team of experienced folk educators who will share techniques, creative approaches and insights into working with folk material. Expect plenty of mixed-instrument ensemble workshops, tailored sessions and two fun evening events.

To support younger and emerging folk musicians, we’re offering a 10% discount for all participants aged 30 and under. When enrolling, please tell us about your main instrument, any additional instruments you play and your musical experience so far. We can accommodate all acoustic instruments but you’ll need to bring your own.

If you have any questions, we’re here to help.

Who is teaching?
Our Musical Director is Dave Gray. Other tutors to be announced.

How do I pay?
We offer several flexible payment options:
Instalments: Split the fee into two payments via our Box Office.
Full payment: Pay in one instalment through our Box Office.
Bursaries: Financial support may be available. For details, see the application form or email fwss@theglasshouseicm.org

Submission of your form:
Please be aware that the submission of this application form is not a confirmation of your booking. We will use your application information to allocate places based on the capacity at the venue.

Sometimes online forms are not able to be removed from our website as quickly as booking requests come in, you will therefore be informed if your request has been unsuccessful.

So what happens next?
Your application form will be reviewed and your place will be confirmed within 2 weeks. If you do not receive an email within this time, please contact fwss@theglasshouseicm.org

On receiving confirmation of your place, you will be given an order number with details about ways to pay and bursary information if requested.