Last week was really enjoyable – I spent most of the week flitting between teaching students at home, and nipping over to Christ Church in Skipton to support those of my students who were performing at Skipton Music Festival.
I find the festival an excellent opportunity to learn – not just for my students but for me too. I feel like I pick up loads of good ideas by watching the wide variety of performances offered, and then listening to the erudite remarks of the adjudicator. Sometimes I found myself agreeing with him and sometimes not, but whatever he said gave me lots to think about, and will hopefully inform and improve my own playing, singing and teaching.
Skipton Music Festival is an annual event, so I hope that more of my students will consider taking part in 2020. This year just a handful of people played or sang at the festival – one was invited to perform at the prestigious Saturday evening concert, while another placed 3rd in her class. Now, I’m not especially into competition in music – I feel that it distracts from the main point of performing, which is enjoyment. But, I know that some people are motivated by winning prizes. Either way, there is a class at the festival that will suit you.
So, this week things should be back to normal with my teaching schedule. It’s a busy one, though. Here are the free slots in my diary, available for anyone to book in for a session of singing, piano, guitar, bass, ukulele, music theory, or to get assistance with auditions / accompaniment etc:
- Tues 19th March
- 11:30 (30 mins)
- 13:00 (30 mins)
- Wed 20th March
- 10:00 (60 mins / 2 x 30 mins)