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NEW DATES for 2024

18th - 19th May - Playing by Ear Weekend
(Mixed Instruments) 

A live event but you can also join by ZOOM
Spaces Available but filling up!

22nd - 23rd June - Gypsy Jazz and Blues Weekend
(Mixed Instruments) 

A live event but you can also join by ZOOM
Spaces Available but filling up!

13th - 14th July - Cajun, Country and Americana Weekend
(Mixed Instruments) 

A live event but you can also join by ZOOM
Spaces available

14th - 15th September - Classical and Continental Weekend
(ACCORDION) 

A live event but you can also join by ZOOM
5 Spaces Available

9th - 10th November - The Famous Ceilidh/Concert Weekend
(Mixed Instruments) 

A live event 
Full Up!

7th - 8th December - Christmas Weekend
(ACCORDION) 

A live event but you can also join by ZOOM
2 Spaces Available

 

About the weekends

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Playing by Ear Weekend - (Mixed Instruments)
No music required! Playing by ear, or without any music can be a bit daunting, but on this weekend we will explore ways of training our ears to pick up tunes, or parts of tunes at least and practice playing our instruments without the visual aid of sheet music. I will have the music on hand though for those moments of panic!

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Gypsy Jazz and Blues Weekend (Mixed Instruments)

This was a zoom weekend during lockdown, but we looked at some fabulous music without getting the chance to play it all together, so I thought perhaps we could use the same music again and this time, bring it to life as a mixed instruments weekend. Some of the tunes we looked at were - 'Five Foot Two', 'It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing', 'Cantina Band', 'Gypsy Fire' and 'The Continental', amongst others. We will also talk a little about improvisation and maybe put it into practice for the brave amongst you!

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Cajun, Country and Americana Weekend (Mixed Instruments)

This weekend will focus on music from America, with a focus on Cajun and Zydeco tunes and some Country Music. We always have a weekend in the summer with more of a party vibe and this is the perfect music for this.

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, some French Musettes, Italian Polkas or Scandinavian tunes for example.

The Famous Ceilidh/Concert Weekend - (Mixed Instruments)
Every year this weekend just gets better and better. This year we had a band of 26 playing for a ceilidh on the Saturday night and an early afternoon concert on the Sunday. All money raised always goes to charity. I will send out the music in advance to rehearse on the Saturday and Sunday mornings. A great chance to play in a band if you've not had that experience before, without the pressure to hit every note! In fact, if you want to sit some out or have a wee dance yourself, this is allowed!!!! Early booking is recommended, because it is very popular.

Christmas Weekend - (Accordion)
Usual festive nonsense with seasonal jumpers, lights and decorations! Plus a few Christmas tunes of course. The playlist just gets longer and longer. I have a file now with loads and loads of Christmas carols and tunes that we dip into during the weekend. On the Saturday night we open the village hall to the locals and have our Christmas themed session in there, encouraging some festive singing too.

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