At its August meeting the Folk Federation Committee assessed the applications for the 2024 FolkTas Grant. It was decided that for 2024 grants would be awarded to two strong applicants.

• Flinders Singers, a community choir on Flinders Island, to enable them to offer a Youth Scholarship for the Flinders Island Singing Camp in November/December 2024. It is envisaged that the scholarship will be offered to an aspiring singing leader, aged between 13 and 30 and living in Tasmania, to attend the ‘Singing Leading’ arm of the camp facilitated by Fay White, a highly acclaimed Australian singer, songwriter and community singing facilitator.

The committee is delighted to support the transmission of skills, knowledge and passion for community music from one generation to the next and look forward to hearing about the choice of recipient.

• Kentish Harp Combo, a group running children’s Harp and Ukulele ensemble activities in Sheffield, to support them running a children’s workshop in March 2025 with harpist Heather Downie, Principal Scottish Harp tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and an internationally renowned music/harp educator, to inspire and further encourage their young players.

The committee is extremely pleased to support this opportunity for young people to participate in such a learning opportunity with a world renowned and highly qualified harp teacher.

Best wishes to both groups for their very worthwhile community folk projects and we look forward to hearing about their progress and fulfillment.

We would like to give a huge thanks to all the applicants and to you, our Folk Federation members, who enabled this to happen.

We would like to give a huge thanks to all the applicants and to you, our Folk Federation members, who enabled this to happen.

The Folk Federation Committee