Our Percussionists took over the College for the day to welcome musicians of all abilities for Big Bash Saturday.
Orchestra, ensemble and drum workshops got our visitors warmed up, before the Massed Samba brought the Bash to an electrifying crescendo.
The day was led by Head of Percussion Patrick King, who was joined by Junior Conservatoire students, percussion students, percussionist Owen Gunnell and drummer Matt French.
Mark your diaries for this great #PercussionDay at the @RWCMD coming up soon on February 15th. Some great music will be happening and an excellent variety of guest clinicians.
Correspondence in both Welsh and English welcome for applicants
See you there!! 👊👊#TheBigBash pic.twitter.com/2Vkyiag6iv— Colin Currie (@colincurrieperc) February 7, 2020
Owen kicked off with a marimba ensemble, playing a beautiful rendition of Tom Petty’s Free Fallin’ with the Love Music Trust from Cheshire.
CCG’s Owen Gunnell kicks off #TheBigBash with a tuned percussion class
Later in the day, he and @colincurrieperc will lead performances of @SteveReich with students from the @RWCMD
Concert 4pm! pic.twitter.com/LAUMqRQc6y— Colin Currie Group (@ColinCurrieGrp) February 15, 2020
Students took turns on the drums, focusing on the importance of rhythm during a boisterous drum kit session with Matt French.
Matt French leading the drum workshop
India, Timothy, Charlie and George enjoying working with Matt French in the Drum Kit masterclass @RWCMD pic.twitter.com/F3hYaOkdvq
— Love Music Trust (@lovemusictrust) February 15, 2020
Patrick took charge of the orchestral session, where schoolchildren from as young as ten tried their hands at timpani drums, maracas and the humble triangle.
Our students helped make sure everyone got involved
Final year student Hope Hollowell told us how much the groups enjoyed themselves:
“The workshops gave everyone the ability to have fun and grow as a musician in their own way.
We joined in with the children and showed them how to play things and how to keep in time.
There was no pressure and it was nice to see everyone having fun and working together as a team.”
Action Shots of our guys improving there Timpani Rolls 🙉 pic.twitter.com/xOB6KsPcXE
— Love Music Trust (@lovemusictrust) February 15, 2020
The massed samba brought the workshops to a joyful finale, performing at the entrance to the College in a spontaneous public performance, that made it feel like they’d been playing together for years.
“It was a truly amazing day of percussion playing. A chance for complete beginners right up to advanced to make music and really learn in detail from some of the best tutors in the business!” said Patrick
“The community involvement in the samba for people who have never played percussion before was a huge success.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8mCA9ujIJy/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
The day finished with our students performing with ‘the world’s most daring percussionist’ Colin Currie in the Dora Stoutzker Hall.
Our students teamed up with Colin to play modern classics by American composer Steve Reich.
“Working with Colin was amazing. To spend time with a man so astute and masterful was such an inspirational and special experience,” said student Isaac Cortvriend.
“He was so finely tuned to the music around him, he gave me an insight into the mind of someone with outstanding ability. One day I hope to achieve his level of excellence.”
Hope, who performed Ionization with Colin, added:
“It was a great opportunity to be conducted by someone who is renowned in the percussion world.
Colin also chatted with us on the day. He talked about his career and it really gave an insight into career possibilities after we leave College.”
Find out more about our Percussion courses at RWCMD.
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