An entire week of music
When visiting the Marshall Music Store at Allens Nek Retail Centre you might think you'd stepped onto the set of the musical film Music of the Heart.
The Rockband Workshop saw 27 talented musicians further developing their skills with the help of musical mentors in preparation for a big concert, set to take place at the end of the week-long workshop.
The concert will be held at Ramkietjie Restaurant on 13 July, Marshall Music director Vanessa Maher said.
“The band workshop is a learning programme where we teach people of any age how to work together. They learn how to incorporate their acquired musical knowledge into a band.”
Head of the piano department at Marshall Music Marco Smith said the musicians arrived at the store not knowing what they would be performing during that week.
“Most of them do not know each other beforehand and it is a lovely way to make new friends. On the first day of the workshop the participants find out what song they will be performing and then they have four days to prepare.”
Maher said these skills could not be learned in a one-on-one lesson.
“It is just as much about being part of general musicianship as your technical playing in the band. We focus on aspects such as musical arrangement and understanding performance skills.”
The workshops had taken place since 2010, although solo and duo performances were unique to this year’s workshop.
“This will give those who do not want to be part of the band workshop an opportunity to perform,” Maher says.
