Tutors for 2007 are:
Simon Care has been playing melodeon since the age of 10 (for Moulton Morris), later formed Aunt Thelma’s Candlelight Orchestra, and in 1985 joined The Albion Band, touring widely and recording three albums. Since then he’s been in top dance band Tickled Pink and a member of Edward II (now e2k ) with whom he has recorded and toured all over the world. He’s still found time to follow his passion for English country dance and morris, and returns to Witney as workshop leader.
Issy Emeney - Inspired to take up the box by the playing of Norfolk’s Tony Hall, Issy has developed a unique sound and style that is renowned for its sensitivity. She plays mostly her own atmospheric and evocative compositions, and is also gaining a reputation as a fine song writer and accompanist. She is an experienced and popular tutor at festivals, as well as individual teaching, and runs regular courses in her local Somerset area. Her trio has a new album Legends & Lovers on the Wild Goose label. She is currently working as traditional music and melodeon consultant for a major new BBC period drama to be shown next year.
Geert Oude Weernink started in 1977, at a time when there were neither workshops nor teachers, playing English and Irish music. An interest in music from Eastern Europe and Turkey led to the formation of Orient Express, which toured widely and recorded two albums. He is now a member of continental/Italian style trio Tarducci. Geert also teaches at the Groningen Music College and is artistic director of Muziekzonder Grenzen, an international workshop festival for experienced players.
Brian Peters plays anglo concertina and melodeon in styles ranging from English dance music to rock and roll, as well as being a fine singer of traditional and modern songs. He has played and taught all over the world. He often performs with guitarist and singer Gordon Tyrrall, and has recorded many albums.
Saul Rose - I learned from the safety of my parents morris side, as well as the music that I was listening to - John Kirkpatrick, Tony Hall, Andy Cutting, Martin Ellison and Dan Quinn to mention but a few.
Lots of practice and attendance of several melodoen workshops later I was encouraged (pushed) to enter the Young Tradition Award in 1991 which was massive exposure for me (didn't win but played the loudest!!!)
Then in early 1994 I went with my Dad to the Pumphouse folk club in Watford (sadly no longer in exsitence) to see Waterson:Carthy and play a support slot. That night, I met Eliza Carthy. I liked her playing and singing and she must have liked mine as she asked me to join a band that she and Nancy Kerr had planned - The Kings of Calicutt. This band went through 3 or 4 line ups as it got bigger and louder and while that was happening I was asked to join Waterson:Carthy.
Both Kings and W:C toured extensively and recorded with Topic Records. Liza and I went on to have a successful duo that toured in all sorts of places and has recently been reformed after an extensive break. Out of the blue, Simon Care asked me to cover a 2 week tour with E2 in Europe which turned into 2 of the most amazing weeks of my life! You'll have to ask why...
Random was formed. A curious blend of me and 5 lads of my parents generation, Random has occupied a lot of my musical focus whilst I've been away from full time music (paying the mortgage, boring job stuff and so on...) and is now a match for any festival ceilidh anywhere!
Which brings me to Faustus. An opportunity to sing and play for singing and get back on the concert stage after so long off, Paul Sartin and Benji Kirkpatrick have asked me to join forces with them and take up the gauntlet left by the late Dr Faustus.
SATURDAY COURSE UNITS:
A1 - Simon Care - Finding the Beat
Rhythm, tempo and phrasing, using basic session tunes.
[Level B/I]
A2 – Issy Emeney - Developing a Tune
Working with ornaments, variations, rhythms syncopations etc. - but you must know the basic tune inside out to start with!
[Level H]
A3 - Geert Oude Weernink - The Craic
Irish Favourite Session Tunes for G/D Melodeon.
[Level B/I]
A4 - Brian Peters - Right Hand Harmony
Finding chords and understanding harmony on the right-hand keyboard of the melodeon
[Level I/H]
A5 - Saul Rose - Mastering the Left Hand
Working through all sorts of possible combinations of left-hand chords and right-hand tunes, finding the chord you need, and playing in strange keys.
[Level I/H]
SUNDAY COURSE UNITS:
B1 – Simon Care - Morris and Beyond: How to Play for Dance
Exploring how to become a competent dance musician.
[Level I]
B2 – Issy Emeney - Sorting out the basics
Exercises, tips and tunes to establish some of the basics - left hand chords and vamps, right hand fingering and dexterity, bellows control and what to do about that air button!
[Level B/I]
B3 - Geert Oude Weernink - Early Music for Melodeon
Four-part music by Tielman Susato, adapted for melodeons. Players will need to have some idea of music notation to join this unit.
[Level I/H]
B4 - Brian Peters - Tex-Mex
The exciting squeeze-box tradition of the borderlands of Texas and Mexico – melodeon music with a Latin swing!
[Level I/H]
B5 - Saul Rose Playing in an Ensemble
How to create arrangements for bands, with other instruments and melodeons. (This is The Sunday Band and is suitable for other instruments as well as melodeons)
[Level B/I/H]
So check out the course units, make your choices and send in your booking straight away. Remember that there are attendance limits on all course units, so make sure you give a second choice in case your first choice is full.