Blow 2005
The Burwell Blow 2005 was held from Friday 14th October to Sunday 16th October.
| The course started with
arrivals at 5pm and, after an evening meal together, we started the
weekend with a large ensemble session. This gave the opportunity for
everyone to meet and play together. The large ensemble was taken by Brenda Dykes who led us through several pieces as a sample of the things we could study over the weekend. The students are encouraged to voice their opinions and preferences, and choose which pieces are studied in detail. |
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Saturday morning breakfast was followed by another large
ensemble session, this time with a jazz flavour, led by Jason
Meyrick. Jason introduced everyone to the idea of improvisation using
the basic 12 bar blues pattern.
After a mid-morning break the instruments were split into separate choirs
for flute, clarinet and saxophone. Brenda Dykes took the flute group while
Sarah Chapman led the clarinet choir and
Jason Meyrick took the saxophonists.
Lunch was followed by a more ‘fluid’ session
with a mixture of outdoor games for those wanting to ‘let off steam’,
individual or small group lessons, and quieter free time. Following tea-break
we had a two-way split with some students taking part in, or watching,
masterclasses while others pursued improvisation further with Jason.
The evening meal was followed by another meeting of the large ensemble
with Brenda where pieces were selected for the final concert on Sunday
afternoon. To finish the evening we all took part in an informal Ceilidh
and dance.
Sunday morning saw more opportunities for jazz and improvisation sessions, separate choirs, and a final rehearsal for the large ensemble. There was the opportunity for individual and small group rehearsals after lunch before the final concert for family and friends at 3pm. After the concert we all gathered for tea and mutual congratulations before going our separate ways at 5pm. Forty-eight hours of music and fun!
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- congratulations to all students for a fun-packed, hardworking weekend! |
Participants of the Burwell Blow 2005 may like to know that they can get
a copy of a CD of the final concert from Anne
Bury – just 50p to cover costs – apply to anne@burwellblow.co.uk
