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About Cumpas |
Cumpas HistorySowing the Seeds: 1997When travelling as individual musicians to various festivals in other Celtic countries, Frances Bennett and Hilary Coleman began to realise that there was very little opportunity in Cornwall for children to learn Cornish tunes. For example, children in Brittany have the opportunity to absorb Breton music from an early age.So, as Cornish Music Projects (CMP), they set up a project called Hubbadillia, believing that through Cornish Music workshops in schools, and with community groups, they could encourage recognition of the wealth of local music which forms part of Cornish heritage. They wanted children to enjoy playing their own local tunes and to realise that, alongside silver band music and choral singing, there is another dimension to Cornish traditional music, a dimension over which they could also have some control - increasing its relevance to youthful needs. 'Hubbadillia' means "hubbub" in Cornish and the title conveyed the fun and excitement of the workshops.
1998CMP received grants from the Elmgrant Trust and the Britten-Pears Foundation to deliver workshops in primary schools. In August of that year along with Sowena and Otta Nye Moaz dancers, they were involved in a television project for West Country TV; "Kernopalooza", a half-hour documentary on Cornish language and culture.Racca Day also began in 1998 with significant input from the pair - it was a regular event, attended by approximately 100 people, where musicians explored aspects of traditional Cornish music through workshops and discussions. Frances and Hilary also become more involved in music tuition (private classes, Adult Education and Cornwall Music Service). 1999CMP changed their name to Cumpas; an acronym and a Cornish word meaning shipshape or proper job. They worked in10 primary schools on a variety of music projects linked to the curriculum. Topics included Celtic history, local festivals, geography, storytelling, dance and drama. In addition they ran community workshops and gave several illustrated talks to groups in the community about traditional Cornish music. In May 1999 they ran their first training session on working with music in children's education.The emergence of Noze Looan: 2000
2001Cumpas delivered Treiz ha Ganow workshops at the Eden Adventure Summer School, run by the Cornwall Centre for Educational Development, and the Eden Project. Treiz ha Ganow (Singing for Dancing) is a form of call and response singing which often uses the Cornish language.By now so many fiddle students needed tuition that Frances started up 'Bagas Crowd', a community fiddle group open to all ages and abilities, which began rehearsing and performing Noze Looan dance tunes. Cumpas were also involved in the CYMAZ (Cornwall Youth Music Action Zone) project, taking Cornish music, language and dance to children at weekly after-school clubs. This work was enriched by the addition of the dance skills of Karen Lockley. 2002Many Cornish young people who have experienced the self-confident regional culture of Brittany or Ireland ask 'Can't we make it more like this at home? The project Kick Up Your Heels positively answered that question. Funded by the Youth Service via CYMAZ, it started an assertive and forward-looking Cornish music and dance scene. Events were organised at various locations throughout the year, including the Eden Project and involved freelance workshop leaders, youth dance groups, local Cornish music bands, schools and colleges. The programmes featured small ensembles of musicians playing or singing live, tunes derived from traditional sources, learnt by ear, and arranged and adapted by each group itself. The events also resulted in large numbers of people participating in Noze Looan dancing.Schools work continued in the Redruth area. Funded by the Education Action Zone, Cumpas ran workshops in 9 primary schools and Redruth Secondary school which culminated in the Murdoch Day Children's Parade. For this Cumpas employed a team of workers for the first time. 2003 Crowders and Horners
2004Cumpas became a company limited by guarantee and achieved Charitable Status. A board of directors/trustees was appointed. Frances and Hilary undertook research and development work, such as courses run by Creative Skills, the Empower project (women in business) and Truro College ILM first diploma in management skills.2005From humble beginning in 1997, Cumpas by 2005 had grown to become a substantial team of part-time workshop facilitators, tutors and volunteers, and has gained a name throughout Cornwall for continual dedication to and promotion of Cornish music, dance and language. It is acknowledged for its power to enrich participants' lives through a developing sense of place and cultural heritage.We continued to develop Horners with groups in East Cornwall, Bodmin, Redruth and Penzance and worked with Rajastani and Breton brass bands, and undertook projects for the St Piran's Trust,Golowan and Bodmin Riding. We delivered educational work for the Sense of Place project culminating at Truro Cathedral on St Piran's Day. |
"Cornish music is a distinctive part of Cornish culture and as such has links with a wider Celtic heritage." "Dig where you stand" |
They planned their work thoroughly, initially by researching into Cornish music and then by linking it to the National Curriculum. This work included a large amount of background reading on Cornish culture in general and all kinds of Cornish music in particular.
Hilary and Frances, along with musicians Simon Lockley and Neil Davey and dancer Karen Lockley, further built on the work that 'Sowena' and 'Otta nye moaz' had begun, by promoting the concept of Noze Looan. Using the Breton Fest Noz as inspiration - with wall-to-wall music and experienced dancers to lead the steps - these evening events with dynamic music and dancing led to nights of energy and exhilaration. Hilary, in partnership with Neil and Simon pioneered the idea with their new band 'Dalla'.
Arts Council England South West funded Cumpas for a year's programme of work and organisational development.