The Arran Concertina event is a relaxed and informal gathering of concertina players of all abilities, and anyone else who is concertina-tolerant. Other instrumentalists and non-players are welcome. The cost of the event is to be advised, and is inclusive of accommodation and meals from Friday supper to Monday breakfast. For those not staying at the lodge, the cost will be adjusted accordingly for use of facilities and meals/tea/coffee excluding breakfast.
The main feature of the programme is that there is no programme! Themes and groups will depend entirely on the wishes and abilities of those taking part. This may or may not include “workshops” on song accompaniment, playing for dance, choice of material, particular styles of music or basic harmony or music theory, a trip to the distillery and/or a walk on the beach. A popular feature in previous years has been the concertina band, for all systems and all abilities. Please let me know if you are interested and I will arrange to send music files (dots or sound) to you in advance.
Participants will arrive on the Friday afternoon and check into the lodge. In the evening there will be a relaxed jam session/singaround at a local pub. Saturday will be devoted to informal workshops on themes and subjects suggested by the participants. Local musicians will be invited to an open concert at the bunkhouse in the evening. There will be more music making on Sunday morning, followed by lunch. The weekend is rounded off with a trip to the local open folk session in Brodick on Sunday evening.
