On the weekend of 20-21st April 2018 I ran my first piano course It’s Never Too Late to Play Piano!
We had a lovely group of 13 very keen participants with abilities ranging from complete beginner to grade 8!
My idea was to encourage people who had played in the past and perhaps needed to rekindle their enthusiasm with a period of intense but fun piano playing.
I had only been on the Island for 6 months and at first I was doubtful as to whether I would be able to attract enough players in the local community and the mainland to be interested. However, I need not have worried! With the help of West Wight Arts and local music teachers. I very soon had the right number of people to make it work.
A mother and daughter came from the mainland and stayed over for the weekend (I have 4 double rooms so can accommodate a few folks) and all the rest were from the Island.
On Saturday morning everyone appeared clutching their music and trying not to look nervous. It was wonderful that they had all decided to give it a go, in spite of their fears and worries about playing in front of others.
To help me run the course efficiently I recruited a couple of my musician friends, Richard and Jane, who each offered different aspects of playing the piano. Between us we managed to cover a number of important areas including:
- improvisation
- how to improve sight reading
- pulse and aural concepts
- choice of repertoire
- duet playing,
…and much more, all with a lot of laughter and enjoyment.
Over the 2 days we achieved a great deal and the course ended with an informal concert in which friends and neighbours were invited.
We even had ukulele entertainment, kindly played by David in the garden complete with drinks and scrummy cakes after the concert.
The catering was amazing thanks to Chris and Kay. They both worked so hard in the kitchen over the weekend and big thanks to Jane for baking some delicious cakes and goodies.
Without a doubt everyone on the course left inspired and energised to continue their piano journey.
What more could I ask? I do hope they will keep in touch and that I will see many of them again on the next course.
If you would like any information about further music courses on the Isle of Wight, please get in touch.
I will be advertising further courses very soon.
Pam Wedgwood
