Folkestra

Folkestra, formerly known as FolkESTRA North is The Sage Gateshead’s youth folk ensemble, formed in 2001. It is led by their Musical Director Kathryn Tickell, one of England's premiere folk musicians.

They have performed at a wide range of concerts, recorded and published their self entitled album, "FolkESTRA North", and taken part in festivals including the National Festival of Youth Music, Sidmouth International Festival and Towersey Village Festival.

In Easter of 2005, Folkestra took part in a UK tour called "The Road to the North" to celebrate the rich traditional music of the North East of England. They performed here alongside The Kathryn Tickell Band, Alistair Anderson, Louis Killen, and the Old Rope String Band.

Folkestra's 15 band members play a wide variety of instruments, including fiddles, accordions, melodeons, whistles, flutes, guitars, saxophones, clarinets, harps, northumbrian pipes, voices, and foot percussion.