Founded in 2006, Bree is a youth education movement celebrating Manx music and dance. Aimed at 11-18 year olds, Bree [Manx for ‘vitality’] aims to both introduce and develop Manx culture within the Island’s young musicians and dancers and ensure that it remains a living tradition. This is realised through an annual weekend of music and dance workshops organised by the Manx Heritage Foundation in collaboration with the IOM Youth Service, monthly music sessions and community events including busking for local charities. As an umbrella group which includes members from all of the Island’s secondary schools, Bree also provides opportunities for youngsters interested in Manx traditional music and dance to meet.

Bree Workshop Weekend

Each October, a Bree weekend of workshops takes place at Douglas Youth Centre with tuition given by voluntary tutors from the Manx traditional music scene. Classes are offered in instrumental techniques (such as singing, whistle, flute, fiddle, guitar and bodhrán), group playing, arranging, performance skills, song-writing techniques and Manx dancing. The use of Manx Gaelic is encouraged throughout. All of the students perform in a concert on the Sunday afternoon with sound and lighting provided by the Youth Service’s Soundcheck crew.

The main Bree weekend will take place at Douglas Youth Centre on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th October 2009.

Click here for the application form and further details…

Other Bree Events

Throughout the rest of the year, Bree members meet once a month for an informal Manx music session in Green’s vegetarian restaurant and other venues. The Bree group is also available for performance at selected charity and community events.

For more information contact Dr. Chloë Woolley: or tel. 01624 695159

Other links on www.manxheritage.org:
http://www.manxheritage.org/cms/news_story_3171.html

To hear musical extracts from previous Bree concerts:
www.myspace.com/breemanx