Competitions for individuals and ensembles

Registered Charity SC038957

BMG Festival & Rally

Friday 2^nd March – Sunday 4^th March 2012
Central Foundation Boys’ School, Cowper Street, London EC2A 4SH

www.centralfoundationboys.co.uk

A weekend open to all, packed with fretted instrument performances, workshops and competitions

The Rally Syllabus Booklet with full details of the weekend is available to download here

Download and fill in the booking form here now to take part

Workshop places are limited!

Download Sponsorship information by clicking here

Download Trade Stands information by clicking here

Friday Evening Concert

Enjoy the unique sounds of fretted instruments performed by two great acts whether or not you play a fretted instrument. The evening begins with Travis Finch who will perform classical mandolin repertoire from various influences and end with the sounds of Brazilian Choro from the creative and innovative musician Gaio de Lima with Club de Choro. Seating is limited so be sure to get your tickets early.

Saturday Workshops (for full details download Rally Syllabus Booklet above)

Learn more about your fretted instrument by attending the workshops below. Don't play a fretted instrument? Why not be an observer and get a feel for the style of fretted instruments. Workshop places are limited so be sure to register early.

Klezmer, An Introduction - Ilana Cravitz http://www.ilanacravitz.com/
Chords without Tears for Mandolins and Tenor banjos - Hugh Boyde http://www.cafemondiale.co.uk/Sorry Workshop Full
Effective Practising - Douglas Rogers - Sorry Workshop Full
Tremendous Trills for mandolins - Michael Hooper http://www.drmichaelhooper.com
Choro - Gaio de Lima http://www.myspace.com/gaiobandolim
Performing with confidence - David Griffiths http://www.mandolinexpress.co.uk/ Sorry Workshop Full
Traditional Tunes From Asturias and Galicia - Rob Garcia http://www.myspace.com/namaramusic Sorry Workshop Full
Come and Try the Lute - Lynda Sayce http://www.theorbo.com/ Sorry Workshop Full
1^st – 7^th position and beyond for mandolins - Travis FinchSorry Workshop Full
Classic Banjo Techniques - Elias Sibley http://www.sibley-music.co.uk/
Teaching a Fretted Instrument - Barbara Pommerenke-Steel & Eddie Smith http://www.mandolinscotland.org/tuition/profiles.html
Mandolin Concerti - Frances Taylor http://www.taylor-mandolin.com/Sorry Workshop Full
Gypsy Music - Gundula Gruen http://www.magicviolin.co.uk/magicviolin/gundula.htmSorry Workshop Full
Come and Try the Ukulele - Colin Tribe http://www.youtube.com/user/colinrtribe Sorry Workshop Full
Jazz and Improvisation - David Price http://www.jazzbanduk.com/

The Delicate Sounds of Eileen Pakenham - Janet Ambrose
Ensemble Skills - Steve Smith http://www.stevesmithguitarist.com/
Get the best sound out of your guitar - Gerald Garcia http://www.geraldgarcia.com/
Youth Orchestra – free event for under 18s – Gerald Garcia
Mass Orchestra – Steve Smith (click here to download the sheet music)

Saturday Evening Meal, Open-Stage & Ceilidh

The Clerkenwell & Barbican Combined Suite at the Thistle City Barbican hotel is the venue for this informal evening. Come along and chat with fretted instrument players, listen to some great music or perform one of your party pieces and have fun at the ceilidh with the Witchhazel Family Band www.witchhazelmusic.co.uk

The hotel is within easy walking distance of Central Foundation Boys School.

Sunday Contests

Photo courtesy of www.ptgraphics.co.uk

Fretted instrument contests for solo, duo, trio, quartet/quintet, ensemble and orchestra will take place throughout Sunday – see the list of contests and rules & conditions in the Rally Syllabus Booklet above. The weekend will close after the presentation of the trophies. We encourage all players of all levels to have a go. If not participating or don’t play a fretted instrument, come along as an observer and listen to some great fretted instrument performances.

Trade Stands

Traders are invited to display and sell fretted instruments and associated accessories on Saturday and Sunday – see Rally Syllabus Booklet above for details of how to book a place. Our last Rally had more than 200 participants so it will be a great opportunity to promote your goods. Click here to download Stallholders Information.

Refreshments

Refreshments will be available at the venue throughout the weekend.

Read information about Accommodation, Congestion Charges, Car Parking and Public Transport in the Rally Syllabus Booklet

For a Review of 2010 Rally click here