Artist Interview - Paul Sartin

We have been lucky enough to have renowned folk musicians Paul Sartin and Jackie Oates working with us on our 10-year anniversary celebrations, they have been leading community choir workshops and composing 2 new ‘tree shanty’ songs using words from Justin Wiggan’s tree sounds workshops. Paul and Jackie are also performing in the the ‘Voices in Harmony’ special outdoor concert in Harmony Woods on Saturday 16th July (book your tickets here), and Paul will be at our choral performance and riverside walk for our ‘Living by the Ash Tree Waters’ project on Sunday 17th July in Andover.

How did you become involved in folk music, singing, and composing?

My mum started me off on music at an early age. I then went to music school where I first became aware of traditional music and fell in love with it. Whilst at Oxford I became embroiled in the wonderful folk scene there, which led to me joining a number of bands. Several years later I found that a sizeable number of songs had been collected from my family in the early 1900s and I read a Masters on the subject.

How did you get involved with Andover Trees United?

Wendy is in my choir, the Andover Museum Loft Singers, who in turn participated in the initial tree planting 10 years ago.

Why do you think the local Andover communities would enjoy the events and who can come along?

Songs with local connections, and ones written by local children, give a sense of place and pride. And they are fun! All comers are welcome.

Paul is performing alongside Jackie Oates, sound artist Justin Wiggan, Musiko Musika youth orchestra ECCO ensemble, and ATU's pop-up intergenerational community choir, on Saturday 16th July at the ‘Voices in Harmony’ outdoor concert in Harmony Woods - celebrating 10 years of Andover Trees.