AFTER a break due to COVID-19, the Derwent Valley Concert Band (DVCB) has announced the return of its spring school program. This is a non-residential event bringing aspiring musicians together to be tutored in a range of skills involved in being a musician, including instrument technique, conducting, performance methods and ensemble skills, concluding with a small concert on the final day.
As with previous years, the school has special guest tutors attending the event. Leading the weekend are Joanne Heaton and Rob McWilliams, two of the most experienced and knowledgeable music educators in Australia. In 2017 Dr Heaton said the DVCB Spring School “is truly unique for musicians as young as seven years old to be sitting next to musicians in their 70s, all working together to create a fantastic musical result.”
DVCB music director Lyall McDermott says no matter what your instrument or where you play, the Spring School will have new music to play, new ideas to consider, new skills to acquire, new friends to make and you’ll have absolutely the best fun ever.
As well as providing tuition, the weekend will also introduce participants in the social aspect of the banding community around Hobart and statewide. Activities include social evenings and the Annual Spring School Quiz.
“It is essential that community bands, such as the DVCB, support young and emerging musicians on their music journey,” DVCB president Jim Taylor said. “The DVCB is very pleased and proud to provide this opportunity for musicians to work with expert and qualified conductors and tutors with the hope that one day they, too, will enjoy the fun and excitement of making music with a community band.”
The Spring School runs from October 7-9, costs $100 per person, and all wind, brass and percussion musicians of any level are welcome to attend. To register for the event, or further information, visit dvcb.org/spring-school, email workshop@dvcb.org or call 0429 203 518.
