Inverurie Music workshops and masterclasses are thriving and becoming more and more popular, bringing players from far and wide to join them. Artists who perform in the concert series can sometimes able to provide workshops while they visit the area and this has been very much appreciated by the players taking part.

The String Ensemble programme we planned for season 2022-2023 should have begun in November 2022 with a strings workshop at Kemnay Church Centre. Unfortunately the weather got the better of us and we had to cancel this at short notice because of flooding. Fortunately we were able to reschedule and the two workshops planned in the season took place in February and June 2023. Expert tuition was provided by Dr Aaron McGregor. Aaron is a freelance violinist and Lecturer in Music at the University of Aberdeen.

The programme of music given to the string players to work on is shown below.

February Workshop:
Grainger: Molly on the Shore
Sibelius: Romance in C
Mendelssohn: String Symphony No. 4 in C minor
Holst: Moorside Suite

June Workshop:
Edward Elgar: Serenade for Strings op. 20
Frank Bridge: Sir Roger de Coverley
Edvard Grieg: Two Melodies, Op. 53

In March and April 2023, we were fortunate that the two groups of visiting artists giving concerts those months could offer us their time to engage in a day of workshops. These were held at King’s Pavilion at the University of Aberdeen and were led by the Tim Kliphuis Trio, and the ensemble of Lana Trotovšek (Violin), Boris Bizjak (Flute) and Maria Canyigueral (Piano).

Having worked with players individually in the morning session on 5 March 2023, award-winning violinist Tim Kliphuis from the Netherlands and Scotsmen Nigel Clark (guitar) and Roy Percy (double bass) all contributed to the afternoon group session during which Tim led the group in learning and improvising on music they were introduced to that day. This was a relaxed and entertaining session and a wonderful opportunity for the local musicians to learn from the experts.

The following month (on 15 April 2023) a day of individual and group tuition was provided by Lana, Maria and Boris, with the afternoon ending with a short performance by the participants. There were several young musicians taking part that day who took inspiration from their tutors and enjoyed the day tremendously.

Here is a selection of comments from those who took part:
The masterclasses were fantastic. I learned so much and I feel it has boosted my confidence.

Tutors are always very encouraging and committed. Lovely people.

Had a great time! 😊

Thank you for the wonderful workshop.

The next season of workshops will begin towards the end of the year (possibly November – date tbc) with the first of two string ensemble workshop led by Aaron McGregor. Workshops/masterclasses are also planned for March 2024 and May 2024 and will be led by Madeleine Mitchel and Nigel Clayton (violin and piano), and Iain Milne (operatic tenor) and Nicolai Karlsen (piano).

Inverurie Music is immensely grateful to all the supporters who have helped fund these workshops.