East Suffolk Community Folk Orchestra

East Suffolk Community Folk Orchestra is a multi-instrumental folk ensemble for players living in Suffolk and Norfolk. Our line up includes: cello, clarinet, clarineau, double bass, fiddle, flute, guitar, harp, mandolin, melodeon, recorder and whistle. The folk orchestra was set up in January 2024.

We are a friendly, supportive and self-led folk group that enjoys learning, playing and performing together. We explore, experiment with, play and perform traditional and contemporary folk tune arrangements from France, Scandinavia and the British Isles. We like to celebrate all the different instrumental voices.

All arrangements include parts for bass and treble clef instruments. Players learn and play by ear or use music. The folk orchestra welcomes experienced and inexperienced players, and is open to adults and young people aged 14 years+. We do not audition. Rehearsals are co-led by a team of the experienced players and take place on Saturday morning in Bungay Community Centre.

Networking, collaboration and skill sharing lie at the heart of our activities. In May 2024 the East Anglian Tradtional Music Trust invited the folk orchestra to run a workshop at Wingfield Barns in Suffolk. The experience inspired us to organise our first workshop day in February 2025. It was led by Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne and took place in Beccles, on the Suffolk/Norfolk county border. Our members were joined by players from across Suffolk and Norfolk.

If you would like further information, or would like to join, please contact: jopoole@protonmail.com.