Hi Dave
Just a little message to say how much I enjoyed the wekend. The people were very friendly - it's strange, but I've never yet met a concertina player I didn't like! Organisation excellent, tutors very good. All in all, a very pleasant way to spend the weekend. Even had good weather.
many thanks.
(unsolicited testimonial)
Music for English, Anglo and Duet Concertinas.
Iris Bishop
Duet Concertinas - The Next Step
Pam Bishop
Busking for Dance Tunes
Julliette Daum
Spanish Guitar Music for Concertina
Expression and Emotion
Dave Townsend
All at Sea
Playford & Co
Andy Turner
The Ins and Outs of Anglo Fingering
One More Dance And Then . . .
Claire Wren
Band Aid
Bandstand
Ability Levels Terms & Conditions Booking Form
TUTORS
IRIS BISHOP is widely recognised for her skill and originality on that uniquely English invention - the Duet Concertina. Associated mostly with her subtle and expressive approach to song accompaniment, her solo repertoire includes styles not usually associated with the instrument. She regularly appears alongside Martyn Wyndham-Read, with whom she has toured and recorded extensively - as a duo, and as a member of No Man’s Band with John Dipper and Gary Holder. Iris also works closely with Martyn on his annual theatre productions of the Maypoles to Mistletoe show and on his latest project with Shirley Collins, Down the Lawson Track. She is actively teaching and inspiring a new generation of players at workshops in the UK, France and Australia, while continuing to perform with the experimental Other Band, the Edge of Chaos Orchestra and the more traditional Elsie’s Band.
PAM BISHOP plays traditional music on the MacCann Duet concertina. Her lifelong passion for the music has been expressed through folk clubs, folk dance bands, concertina workshops, music arranging and editing folk magazines. She is a director of the Traditional Arts Team which runs performance and workshop events across the Midlands. Currently she leads the Cuckoo's Nest folk dance band, the Moseley Village Band and the Kings Heath Traditional Song Project, and is editor of Folk Monthly. She has run concertina workshops for Kilve, Hands On Music and the Swaledale Squeeze.
JULIETTE DAUM has played the English concertina since she was 14, as it entered the household through a mutual friend, the accordion. Influenced by her father’s love for the Spanish classical guitar’s extensive repertoire and inspired by an accordion master to use all the fingers you’ve got, she started experimenting with multi-voiced music and found the concertina was made for it. She has recorded three CDs. The first is a selection of pieces from the discoveries she had made on the road to find what the concertina can do. The next two are tributes to two composers - J.S. Bach and the classical guitarist Bartolome Calatuyud. Her latest musical venture is to add her own voice to the concertina, singing songs. Her recent visits to the UK and teaching in Germany have inspired many people with the grace and skill of her playing, often making use of low-pitch instruments.
DAVE TOWNSEND’s main instrument has been the English concertina for over thirty years now, during which he has played classical music, jazz, his own compositions and improvisations – and quite a lot of traditional music from the British Isles and various parts of Europe and South America. He also plays fiddle and accordion, and sings. In the 1980s his solo concertina albums Portrait of a Concertina and Concertina Landscape set new standards for the instrument, and his research into the music of Thomas Hardy’s Wessex led to the formation of The Mellstock Band, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year (www.mellstockband.com). He has recorded with numerous bands and artists, toured in Europe, Africa and America, appeared on radio and television, and provided music for productions at The National Theatre. His imprint The Serpent Press continues to produce books of music and song. He is a veteran of countless courses and workshops on music, dance and singing, and is the director of Hands On Music Weekends.
ANDY TURNER was described by English Dance & Song as “surely one of the most graceful of anglo-concertina players”. He is an experienced morris and country dance musician, and has been a member of Oxford-based dance band Geckoes for over 20 years, contributing a number of his own compositions to the band’s repertoire. He is also a fine singer, and uses the concertina to provide effective song accompaniments, both solo and with Magpie Lane. www.magpielane.co.uk/andyturner.
CLAIRE WREN has been running workshops in concertina band for nearly 20 years, mostly in the Somerset area. Having been lent an English concertina in the mid 1980s by Pauline Wallace with the instruction “Learn this”, she did just that. When reasonably proficient Claire was invited to join that most prestigious group The Butleigh Court Concertina Band, first as a player, later taking over as director. She has since led and performed with various ensembles. It was in the BCCB that Claire first played bass concertina. It was an epiphany for her as suddenly she saw the music from the bottom up, seeing much more clearly how band music was constructed, layer on layer. It was this experience which led to her first arrangement, Strawberry Fair, swiftly followed by The Concertina Breakdown – and she’s never looked back!
Ability Levels Terms & Conditions Booking Form
SATURDAY COURSE UNITS:
A1- Pam Bishop - Busking for Dance Tunes
We all play dance tunes, but sometimes the tune is not enough. Dancers
need a good strong rhythm which not only keeps them together but also gives
them extra energy. Guitar players are familiar with the idea of busking, or
improvising chords in a steady rhythm. This unit will look at a similar
approach for concertina players.
[All Systems, B/I/H]
A2 - Juliette Daum - Spanish Guitar Music for Concertina
The case of the stolen repertoire – how to play the multi-voice repertoire of the Spanish guitar on English Concertina! Short and soulful pieces from guitar composers and arrangers, with lilting rhythms and beautiful harmonies.
[English Concertina, I/H]
A3 - Dave Townsend - All at Sea
To many people, the concertina means one thing – sailors! You will often be asked to play seafaring music, so why not enjoy it and learn a few straightforward tunes and salty songs? On the way we will learn some simple accompaniment methods for nautical songs and tunes, and some techniques to make hornpipe playing snappy and fun. Bring your own rum - Yo-ho-ho!
[All Systems, B/I]
A4 - Andy Turner - The Ins and Outs of Anglo Fingering
For C/G Anglos. Looking at alternative fingerings and choice of chords. We will be playing both from printed music and by ear.
[Anglo Concertina, I/H]
A5 - Claire Wren - Band Aid
“The How and Why Wonder Workshop of Concertina Band Playing" This unit is aimed at those who are less experienced or beginners at band playing, though you will need to know your way round your instrument and the names of the notes. Music will be provided, with clear explanations for those who are less fluent and confident at reading. There will be a few extra baritone and bass instruments to borrow to give the full range. It’s suitable for other systems as well as English, and all the music is single-line in treble clef. More experienced players are welcome as well, but must be patient – remember you were a beginner once!
[All Systems, B/I]
THE LOST CHORD
Improbable Instrumentals and Music Hall Songs
Phil Humphries (Serpent) and Dave Townsend (Concertina)
One half of the Mellstock Band performing a lively and extraordinary range of music - from Handel to Sullivan, from Hearts & Flowers to Spotted Dick!
The concert also features wonderful concertinists Pam Bishop, Juliette Daum and Andy Turner.
SATURDAY 24th SEPTEMBER
HENRY BOX SCHOOL, CHURCH GREEN, WITNEY, OXON OX28 6AX
Tickets £10.00 (£9.00 booked in advance - phone 01865 714778 to reserve)
This is part of
CONCERTINAS AT WITNEY
SUNDAY COURSE UNITS:
B1 - Iris Bishop - Duet Concertinas - The Next Step
Plenty of practical techniques and ideas (for solo playing and accompaniment) to develop your duet skills onto the next, or towards a new level...
[Duet Concertina, B/I/H]
B2 - Juliette Daum - Expression and Emotion
Whatever your technical ability, putting feeling into your music is one of the most important goals. Juliette will show how to put yourself into your playing , ultimately making your concertina a tool
for conveying emotion. As well as the advance music, please bring along a piece you know really well and feel comfortable playing.
[All Systems, B/I/H]
B3 - Dave Townsend - Playford & Co
For some unfathomable reason which defies historical logic, the music of the “dancing-master” books of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries fits perfectly onto the concertina, which wasn’t invented at the time. Delve into some of the more unusual and tricky parts of the repertoire, and explore ways of arranging them as solos for English Concertina.
[English Concertina, I/H]
B4 - Andy Turner - One More Dance And Then . . .
Playing as a band for country dancing. All music will be provided, but good ear-players very welcome! This is the Sunday Band and welcomes other instruments as well as concertinas.
[All Systems, B/I/H]
B5 - Claire Wren – Bandstand
This unit is for more experienced and proficient band players. You will need a thorough knowledge of your instrument, be able to read most straightforward music fairly fluently and be able to take direction with regard to articulation, dynamics, style, tempo etc., in order to end up with a result worthy of the bandstand! Some of the music will be sent in advance, and there will be bass and baritone instruments to borrow for the day.
[English Concertina, I/H]