Manx music session released to encourage players

A total of 28 tunes feature in the recording

An hour-long live recording of traditional Manx music has been released online to encourage players to join in with future sessions.

The audio, which features well known Manx tunes such as Smuggler’s Lullaby and Car Juan Nan, has been made available by Culture Vannin.

The organisation said it hoped the resource would help musicians to practise at home and build up their confidence to join in with the traditional activity.

Manx Music Development Officer Chloe Woolley said taking part in and sharing music through a traditional music session could be "a great experience".

She said: "Anyone who can play an instrument should take the opportunity to have a go. We hope that this recording will make that easier for everyone.”

'Enjoyable and welcoming'

Recorded at a music festival in 2017, the performance brought together a large number of Manx musicians, including many of the island’s leading traditional composers, children and those early in their Manx music journeys.

James Franklin from the organisation said the "conversations and banter of everyone there between and even during the music" gave a "wonderful representation of how enjoyable and welcoming the Manx musical community can be”.

The 28 tunes also include Car ny Ferrishyn, Creg Willy Syl, Gyn Ennym and Hie Mee Stiagh.

Less well known pieces such as Murran ‘sy Vainney, Bwoaill Baccagh and Girls of Balladoole also feature.

Culture Vannain said the release represented the first publicly available recording of some of the music.

It said joining a session for the first time might be intimidating for many, and so it was hoped that the new resource would help build confidence and widen participation.

The release was part of "ongoing work to support, promote and celebrate the music, language and culture of the Isle of Man", it added.