Jack Foster (folk guitar)

Jack began playing brass and drums at primary school at the age of eight, thanks to a school visit from Rochdale Music Service. His interest in music quickly grew to cover all different kinds of music so that by the time Jack started secondary school he gave up brass to focus on percussion. He also began to play the guitar and banjo. This led Jack to folk music and a growing involvement with Rochdale Music Service. With the Service Jack had the opportunity to travel to London, Italy and Ireland with various groups including the Concert Orchestra and Concert Band and That’s All Folk. As he got older, Jack began to collaborate with five other musicians from the Service to create the folk band Céole Tíre. Jack also became interested in composition and started writing solo guitar pieces, music for strings and Irish and gypsy tunes.

On completing his GCSEs Jack went on to study for a BTEC in Music at his local college. This gave him further opportunities to work with musicians and he began to play in local pubs and clubs with a classic rock covers band, playing electric guitar. In Autumn 2011, Jack began his performance-based degree at Newcastle University, studying Folk and Traditional Music focussing on Celtic music from the British Isles.

By receiving a bursary from Future Talent, Jack plans to upgrade his guitar and he is also very keen to use the remaining funds to extend his experience of music, which includes a workshop with folk guitarist Tony McManus. Through Newcastle University Jack is considering the possibility of spending a semester abroad, studying with one of their partner institutions. He would also like to look into the possibilities of taking a trip to Romania to look at Romanian folk music.  Being exposed to different cultural influences, will give Jack the chance to learn and share music with others.

All of these elements will help Jack grow and develop, to improve both his ability to play by ear and build his confidence which will in turn enable him to become a more complete musician.