East Dunbartonshire Council
Guitar clubs
Guitar Ensemble
Performing
East Dunbartonshire Council used to offer almost no guitar tuition and therefore entry to the guitar club was made open to any secondary pupil in the area, regardless of experience or ability. This inclusive approach is central to the YMI's aims to increase youth music provision to all young people throughout Scotland.
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In fact, most of the young people who take part have some experience of playing the guitar, but many are self-taught and the guitar clubs are their first opportunity for professional tuition. The initial aim of the project had been to have just over 200 pupils taking part, an aim that has almost been realised as 180 signed up for the latest session. |
As the guitar clubs gained in popularity and the young players gained in skill, the establishment of a performing group for the more experienced players was an obvious development of the project. The East Dunbartonshire Schools Guitar Ensemble rehearsed together for the first time at a residential weekend on 1-3 February 2008.
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The weekend was a huge success as these comments from participants show:
"Every aspect was good. I've been learning lots and having fun"
"I feel my guitar playing has improved a lot"
"The weekend exceeded all expectations" |
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"The Guitar Ensemble has been a great idea. It unites kids from the same area to meet, have fun and learn".
quote from one of the tutors at the guitar club |
The Guitar Ensemble will run alongside the existing tuition in schools and at present has nine members from throughout the area. The group has a mixture of acoustic and electric guitars and plays music ranging from blues through pop and rock (such as the Beatles) to classical.
| The Guitar Ensemble will play at The Big Guitar Weekend (29 February-2 March), a joint venture between the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD) and the University of Strathclyde, taking place at RSAMD. All school pupils taking part in the weekend have free access to all events and concerts. |
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As well as performances by student groups such as the RSAMD Guitar Ensemble, East Dunbartonshire pupils will be able to attend other events including a lunchtime concert by the weekend's special guest, Tomasz Zawierucha and series of workshops by top international and Scottish tutors.
The Guitar Ensemble will also perform on 3 April in a joint concert with the East Dunbartonshire Schools Jazz Orchestra. This concert also takes place at RSAMD and is part of East Dunbartonshire Council's Spring Concert Series.
| For more information about guitar tuition in East Dunbartonshire and the East Dunbartonshire Schools Guitar Ensemble, contact George Kelly, Instrumental Services Manager. | |