Concertina Camp weekend is a relaxed and informal gathering of concertina players of all abilities, and anyone else who is concertina-tolerant. Other instrumentalists, singers and non-players are welcome. The event takes place at a private venue dedicated to music events near High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. The cost of the event is £45 inclusive of pitch and all meals from Friday supper to Sunday afternoon tea. For those not wishing to camp, there are B&Bs and guesthouses nearby, and a Premier Inn in High Wycombe – the cost of attending will still be £45. The venue will be shared with one other music-making group.
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 tunes, song accompaniment, playing for dance, choice of material, particular styles of music or basic harmony/theory/instrument maintenance. A popular feature each year 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 and soundfiles) to you in advance.
Participants arrive on the Friday afternoon to check-in from around 6pm. In the evening there will be a relaxed jam session/singaround, and the programme for the weekend will be finalised.All day Saturday, and Sunday morning are devoted to informal workshops on themes and subjects suggested and led by the participants. The weekend is rounded off with an informal run-through of music to share with the other group at camp and the cooks.
To preserve the informal, friendly, “house-party” feel of the weekend numbers are limited to a total of 20, so please book early to avoid disappointment J.
Although this is a Concertina Camp, please feel free to bring any other instrument you play as well. At various times we have been delighted to include uillean pipes, hurdy-gurdies, recorders, a glockenspiel and a sousaphone in the musical mix, as well as the more expected whistles, fiddles and bodhrans!
