Modern Folk Tunes
Folk tunes composed by Alison Rowley
Alison has original tunes published in two collections of modern folk tunes:
The Sixty Tune Book from Halsway Manor – more info here
Folk Tunes From The Women – more info here
Longshaw’s was written after a beautiful day walking around the Peak District close to the National Trust’s Longshaw Estate. I was proud of my adventurous hiking abilities and wrote this jaunty tune to celebrate!
Unwinding – I wrote this during the Halsway Manor Open House in January 2023. The calm of the manor in the mornings was very inspirational and I loved having the time and space to just create.
After Midnight – This tune arrived fully-formed when I returned to my room after a late night session in the bar at Halsway Manor, when I still had that ‘session sound’ vaguely swirling around in my head. Fortunately I was assured the next day that no one recognised it!
Kitchen Dance – I love an uplifting tune, and when I came up with this fun little polka during a Halsway Manor course I felt like it captured the joy of making music together – but also the joy of having an impromptu boogie in the kitchen at home!
I wrote Home Comforts during the 2020 lockdown. Clearly, being stuck at home didn’t quash my spirits – or perhaps writing this happy polka cheered me up?
Clockwork – written in August 2023 as an alternative tune for the modern country dance Cogs.
Phoebe’s Waltz was written in August 2019.
Blueberry Pie was written in 2018, and arranged for string ensemble.
The Heron was written while I was in the Cotswolds for the EAC summer school in July 2011. The course takes place in a beautiful, peaceful valley, and herons can often be seen visiting the nearby fish ponds. You can also buy a short violin trio arrangement, featuring solo violin and two easy accompaniment parts – please contact me for more information. This tune was also adapted for Alison’s ‘Arena Overture’ (2013).
24 Ribbons was written and recorded one afternoon in 2018, shortly before I embarked on a short ‘maypole tour’ of schools and festivals across the South of England.
No More Highlanders was written in July 2019 as an alternative to Athol Highlander’s!
Rainbow Reel was written at Taransay Fiddle Camp in July 2008 and took first place in the tune-writing competition!
Polka Perplexus is dedicated to the students who didn’t turn up for their piano lessons one day in 2010. I wrote this at the piano in my free time – hence the non-melodeon-friendly chords.