We offer workshops for beginners or early years instrumental players, these sessions are both instructional and enjoyable - so why not come along and join the fun!

Workshops are becoming a regular feature of the Mid-Somerset Festival. Led by experienced musicians, our aim is to provide a different opportunity from the children’s regular lessons; they will learn to play with others of similar ability and discover more about how to play their particular instrument or perhaps others in the same instrumental discipline.

No one will be expected to play alone and everyone will receive a performance certificate at the end of the session as a memento of the occasion.

Fiddlesticks

This is a workshop for young string players where teachers are also invited to bring along their instruments and join in with this popular event. The emphasis will be on enjoyment and fun.

The session is arranged in three classes:

• “Beginners Please” - for all string players pre Grade 1 standard
• “Plucky Players” - for those who are Grades 1-2 standard
• “Folk Fiddle” - for players of Grades 3-4 standard

All parents and friends are welcome to come and watch.

Woodwind/Brass Workshop for Beginners

This workshop will be for players of any age who are pre Grade 1 standard. The children will be involved as a group in looking at different instruments, listening to how they sound, learning how sounds are produced, building up a sequence of notes etc.

Simple pieces may be taught, learnt and performed together. At the end of the session everyone will receive a certificate of performance.

Junior Recorder Workshop

This will be a one hour workshop for players in school years 3, 4 and 5.Our aim is for the children to meet and play as a large group and learn more about recorders and recorder playing. The workshop is intended for individuals as well as school groups and will be an informal session with the very definite aim of having fun. All those taking part will be sent some simple music to practice in advance of the Festival

At the end of the workshop everyone will receive a certificate of performance as a memento of the occasion. We hope that those taking part will wish to remain for a while in order to take part in, or listen to, the solo and ensemble classes that follow.

New for 2010 - A Blues Jam Workshop

This session, led by Richard Perkins of Bath Guitar School, will be based on a familiar blues number and provide an opportunity for players at all levels to take part. We hope that the music (arranged at your level) will be sent to you a few weeks ahead of the Festival.

Please find out more by visiting the Blues Jam page.

A Beginner’s Piano Class

This is a non-competitive class is for all players who are pre Grade 1 standard; it is not really a workshop but does start with a group approach to introduce entrants to aspects of the performing experience. The session will be very informal and will we hope help to build up the confidence of those taking part for competitive performances in later years.

Following the introduction, all entrants will have an opportunity to announce and perform their chosen piece to the audience and for this they will each receive a simple written appraisal from the Adjudicator and of course a certificate of performance.

A Singing Seminar

Rosa Mannion, a well known West Country based singing teacher, will hold a seminar for Teachers and Singers of all ages and stages.

Do come along to share ideas and deal with problems as well. The session takes place in the Guildhall, Bath on Wednesday 17 March between 7.00pm and 8.30pm.

Everyone will be very welcome!

See syllabus and Festival calendar for details