Workshops
Workshops are an opportunity for everyone from beginners to old hands to pick up tips or iron out kinks. They are an important and enjoyable part of the festival. A number of seasoned performers will conduct workshops over the weekend.
Tony O’Rourke
An accomplished multi-Instrumentalist on guitar, tenor banjo, Irish bouzouki and mandolin, Tony began playing music as a teenager in the northern suburbs of Melbourne playing hard rock and anything else above 100 decibels! He also dabbled in finger style and folk guitar eventually falling in love with jazz guitar. Later he began flat picking and followed up with Irish music sessions and the rest is history. Tony has played alongside some of the most respected names in bluegrass and Irish music. He has written a number of books, has won or been placed in a number of musical competitions and has released three CDs of Irish Music.
For each workshop Tony produces a booklet and CD of the music he’ll be presenting. He plays all of the music at a moderate tempo and plays exactly as transcribed.
If you want more information, you can contact Tony directly on tonyc6cega@gmail.com
Location:
The Workshops Room at the northern end of the Social Club building. Check the site map in your printed program.
Sessions:
This will be open to anyone playing Irish tunes on any instrument. For these workshops participants receive a small booklet comprising some tunes, a bit about picking technique, sometimes scales and include a CD of the music played at a moderate tempo to take home with them. There is no charge for this.
Colin Driscoll
Master Bush Poet, Colin has been writing and performing for around 30 years, gaining his inspiration from growing up on the farm, as well as the sights he has seen, the places he has visited and the people he has met. He has traveled extensively throughout outback Australia and has worked as a tour guide in such iconic places as Uluru, Kakadu, The Gulf and The Kimberley. Winner of the prestigious ‘Golden Damper Award’ at Tamworth, Colin has published a book and 3 CDs of his original works. Also an accomplished actor, he has appeared in multiple live musical stage productions.
Location:
The Bush Poetry tent near the old netball courts. Check the site map in your printed program.
Sessions:
Teaching the basic skills required to kick start your Poetry Writing and performing journey. Adults and children welcome.
An open Q&A session covering various aspects of the Bush Poetry scene in Australia. Topics range from Association Memberships, performing opportunities, competition participation, mentoring, publishing and recording and anything else that comes to mind. Adults and children welcome.
A chance to present and share your works in progress from the ‘Basics for Beginners’ workshop. Also covers performance and presentation techniques. Adults and children welcome.
Sally Carter’s Ukulele Boot Camp
Sally regularly provides tuition for ukulele groups interested in ensemble playing, as well as teaching individually in person and online. Sally runs workshops on different aspects of ukulele playing for ukulele groups and festivals all over Australia, in NZ as well as online.
Sally has performed at many festivals including the 4-String Festival in New Zealand, Hills Ukulele Festival, Melbourne Ukulele Festival, Sandford Bush Music Festival, Newkulele Festival, Kilmore Celtic Festival, Beechworth Celtic Festival, Yass Irish and Celtic Festival, Yarra Junction Fiddlers’ Convention, Celebrate Mooroolbark Festival, Ardlethan Music Muster, Cygnet Folk Festival.
Sally has also written four ukulele books for ensemble and solo playing. All books have tunes written in tablature and music score, suitable for beginners through to more advanced.
If you enjoy this mini boot camp, you may like to extend your Ukulele knowledge by attending Sally’s advanced boot camp. Sally’s website is: www.sallycartermusic.com
Location:
The Workshops Room at the northern end of the Social Club building. Check the site map in your printed program.
Sessions:
Avoid barre chords and lose the fear of those higher frets. Looking at plucking patterns for 3 string chords. At the end of this workshop, you will be playing a couple of well known songs with chords you never knew existed!
Developing these skills to play a simple tune as an ensemble – melody, harmony and chords. Looking at timing and time signatures.
Using your skills gained in the first two workshops to arrange a song with chords, singing and riffs. All song sheets and arrangement suggestions will be supplied. One well-known Celtic song and one well-known Bluegrass song.
Jose Garcia
While embracing a variety of styles, Jose has never forgotten his folk and country roots. “Music is for everyone” he says and so he becomes somewhat of a “musical evangelist”, running jam sessions, playing in various bands and promoting music participation wherever he can. If you like John Denver and Johnny Cash there is a good chance you’ll like Jose.
Jamming With Others at The Session Marquee
Saturday 10.00am – 11.00am
Or “how to play music with strangers.” A fun and informal workshop that explores and breaks down the acoustic jamming process for the purpose of understanding. For all levels.
Stagecraft at Jose’s Hotspot
Saturday 4.00pm – 4.45pm
Stagecraft basics – from jamming to performing. A quick look at the basics with the aim of enabling participants to perform on stage the following day. Topics will include microphone technique using both dynamic and condenser microphones with particular focus on traditional single-mic technique.
Bush Dancing With Strat and Lyndal
Strat and Lyndal will hold a workshop on Sunday afternoon where you can learn a few bush dances in a fun and relaxed environment. Bush dancing is enormous fun for young and old alike. No prior experience is necessary, they’ll guide you through every step and you’ll have plenty of opportunity to practice with music.
You’ll be able to show off your new found bush dancing skills at the bush dance on Sunday evening.
Session:
Sunday 3.00pm – 4.00pm at the old netball courts at the southern corner of the site.
Old Time Australian Tunes With Cat & Clint
Bring your instruments and/or curiosity for an opportunity to learn a tune by ear from the ‘living archives’ (human archives, rather than digital or library). Cat & Clint will share their experience of learning Traditional Australian Tunes and are excited to join with others who would like to learn too. Come and experience the joy of group music-making and sharing discussion around Australian Tune Traditions with Cat & Clint.
Session:
Saturday 3.00pm – 4.00pm in The Workshops Room at the northern end of the Social Club building. Check the site map in your printed program.