Summer Sessions
- Do you play a musical instrument?
- Are you interested in playing music with others?
- Are you an existing player who wants to improve there skills?
Following on from your very successful Summer Sessions Ensembles, Music West has decided this year to do something slightly different. The Summer Sessions Workshops 2024 are a series of pay as you go events (6 euros) run in July and August 2024 which focus on different musical skills and different musical groups.
These events are designed to provide musical activities for everyone from the total beginner to experienced players.
To register for any of the workshops: https://forms.gle/8roRWsi45Z7nt5ib9
If you have any questions, please get in touch via info@musicwest.ie
Please see below the full list and description of all events:
Come and play Orchestra Music: Friday 12th July & 9th August, 7 to 9pm
- Do you play a musical instrument?
- Are you interested in playing music with others?
- Are you a classical player who wants to return to music or an existing orchestra member?
- Are you a tradition music player who wants to improve their music reading ability?
- Are you musician who has a second instrument which you would like to play in an ensemble?
No matter what your music experience is or what instrument you play, join us for an informal non-intensive evening playing orchestral music. Open to all ages, abilities and instruments. Participants should be able to read music
Come and Try Concert Band: 20th July 2024, 4 to 6pm
Are you a brass, woodwind or percussion player who would like to play with other like-minded people.
Come along and see how much fun it is to play in a Concert band experience playing in a concert band. If you’ve got that instrument at home that is gathering dust, take it out and come along. All ages welcome, any Percussion, Woodwind and Brass players
Big Band Workshop: Sunday 28th July 2024, 11am to 3pm
Music West’s popular big band workshop/taster day returns. It will be a day for musicians from any musical background who can read music to come together & play some accessible Big Band music. The day will be for saxophone, clarinet, trumpet & trombone (trombone parts are normally in bass clef but some will be transposed for treble clef readers) players, plus rhythm section musicians i.e. piano, guitar, bass (double bass and/or bass guitar), drummers & percussionists.
We’ve got some great fun & accessible arrangements lined up so why not come along & join us for a day of fun music in a safe & supportive musical environment. Open to all participants with the relevant instruments, suitable for all levels of ability and experience.
Playing with Music: Sat 3rd Aug 2024, 4 to 6.30pm
This 2.5 hour with break workshop is designed as an introduction to improvisation where we will explore ways to learn to free up playing & make music without notation. We hope to make this a fun & creative session which is suitable for all levels of ability and experience.
We will explore
- Playing by ear
- Playing with others
- Where the music comes from
- Playing with the rhythm
- Playing with a tune
The workshop will include a number of group exercises making noise, singing and using instruments. Instruments are invited but not essential.
Low Brass Choir: Tuesday 6th and 20th August 2024, 7.30 to 9.30pm
Do you play trombone, euphonium, baritone horn or tuba? If you do you may like to join me at Music West to play some accessible music arranged specifically for low brass. We will concentrate on four short pieces at each event with an emphasis on intonation & listening to each other whilst playing as part of a balanced ensemble. We’ll also make time for a tea & biscuit break!
Each of the four parts are written out in both bass clef & Bb treble clef (if you play Eb tuba, never fear I can teach you a little trick to make reading bass clef instant & super easy!!!!). Why not come along &; enjoy an evening celebrating the best in brass.
Playing the Changes: 10th Aug 2024, 4 to 6.30pm
Introduction to jazz harmony and improvising over chords. A 2.5 hour with break workshop exploring jazz harmony, improvising using scales & arpeggios. The session will include both theory and practice. We will explore
- The circle of fifths and II, V, I progressions
- Four note chords; guide & colour tones
- Jazz chord notations & understanding chord charts
- Matching scales to chords
- Licks and embellishments
We will practice applying this by working on an American songbook standard jazz tune. Suitable for all with basic knowledge of scales, arpeggios & chords.
Introduction to Music: Wednesday 14th and 21st August 2024, 8 to 9.30pm
- Have you always wanted to learn to read music?
- Have you always wanted to learn music theory?
No matter whether you are a total beginner or an early learner come and join use at our introduction to music workshop. You will be guided through the process of music appreciation and develop skills music reading, rhythmic reading, sight reading/singing and music theory and in a fun, supportive and informal setting. Please bring a pencil/eraser and highlighter.
Recorder Ensemble: Wednesday 28th 2024, 8 to 9.30pm
Have you always wanted to play a musical instrument but don’t know how to start. Do you already play the recorder or want to learn, come and experience playing music with other like-minded people at our recorder ensemble.
New players and experienced players welcome
(If you are interested in a similar group for younger children please register your interest at info@musicwest.ie)