Ian Lowthian's Music Weekends
Dates and Availability
NEW DATES FOR 2020
NEW DATES FOR 2020
See below for details on each weekend
We are doing fewer weekends this year, but hope to offer some one-day accordion workshops
during the year. Let us know of any themes you fancy for these.
SOME WEEKENDS ARE NOW ALMOST FULL UP!
But - we can add you to the waiting lists of any of the weekends as spaces often become available.
Apart from the Ceilidh and Christmas weekends (which have finite number of participants), we may be able to hire the village hall should there be a mad rush of interest in any of the other weekends!
NEW! - MERLIN MUSIC CAMP 2020
Check it out below
February 29/March 1 - ACCORDION - Classical and Continental weekend - 1 Space Left
March 28/29 - MIXED INSTRUMENTS - Sunday Afternoon Concert Weekend - Plenty Space
May 16/17 - MIXED INSTRUMENTS - Composition Weekend - Plenty Space
June 13/14 - ACCORDION - Gypsy Jazz and Blues Weekend - 4 Spaces Left
August 2nd-6th - Merlin Music Summer Camp (Selkirk - Scottish Borders) - Check it out Here!
August 8/9 - MIXED INSTRUMENTS - Hillbilly Weekend - Plenty Space
September 19/20 - ACCORDION - Advanced Accordion Weekend - 5 Spaces Left
October 10/11 - MIXED INSTRUMENTS - The Famous Ceilidh Weekend - Full Up!
December 5/6 - ACCORDION - Christmas Weekend - Full Up!
About the weekends
Classical and Continental Weekend - (Accordion)
Some light classical music transcribed for the accordion, perhaps the odd piece written for the accordion and some music from the continent, perhaps some French Musettes, Italian Polkas or Scandinavian tunes for example.
Sunday Afternoon Concert Weekend - (Mixed Instruments)
First Mixed Instruments weekend of the year. For this weekend I will send out music in advance for us to arrange and rehearse on the Saturday and Sunday morning in preparation for a wee concert on Sunday afternoon. The locals love this and all proceeds will go to charity.
Composition Weekend - (Mixed Instruments)
Last year's weekend produced 22 fabulous new tunes, so if you fancy having a go at writing your own music we will explore different ways to go about it.
Gypsy Jazz and Blues Weekend (Accordion)
This is a new weekend! We've had lots of requests for some blues and jazz, so on this weekend we will explore some tuneful jazz numbers, perhaps some Stephane Grappelli tunes and perhaps have a wee look at improvising with the blues!
The Hillbilly Weekend - (Mixed Instruments)
Previously at this time of year we've done a Cajun and Country weekend and held our evening session in the garden around the BBQ, which has been great fun! This year we thought we might cover some Cajun, Zydeco, Country and Old-Time American tunes and songs and open it up to other instruments. Dungarees are not essential! Bring your Banjo though!
Advanced Accordion Weekend (Accordion)
An opportunity for the more advanced accordionists amongst you to play a bit faster, perhaps look at some advanced left hand patterns, discuss bellows techniques, the use of chords to enhance tunes etc. etc.
THE FAMOUS CEILIDH WEEKEND - (Mixed Instruments)
This weekend is music intensive as those that have been (and keep coming back) have found out. I always send out the music before, so we can run through the whole Ceilidh programme on the Saturday for the gig in the evening. It's a bit crazy actually but always works, and the locals just love it! Again, all monies raised will go to charity. Last year we had a 27 piece dance band!!
CHRISTMAS WEEKEND - (Accordion)
This weekend is just stupid! Mostly Christmas sing along fun!