Vocal workshops are coming to Thornden Hall at Chandlers Ford! Whether you are a vocal teacher, a professional singer, or just enjoy singing in the shower, there will be a workshop to suit everybody over the next two years.
Singer Angela Jackson, who sings with West End Singers, 60s tribute band
Hard Drive, and a variety of local jazz bands, has been awarded a grant from
Arts Council for England, the Musicians' Union, and has an existing grant from Eastleigh Borough Council, to run a number of workshops and concerts over the next two years.
As Angela says: "This is a new and very exciting venture for me. Last
year I ran a pilot vocal workshop at the new Thornden Hall, with the renowned group Black Voices, which was supported by Eastleigh Borough Council and South East Music Schemes, during the Chandlers Ford and Hiltingbury Festival. It was so popular that I decided to apply for some grants to run more. Being a singer who is always keen to learn different techniques, I have travelled to Aberdeen, London and New York to attend quality workshops and felt it was time that local singers and teachers were given the opportunity to attend workshops such as these without having to travel too far. I am also an avid supporter of
keeping music live, and the concerts will be of great benefit to the community. Thornden Hall is the ideal venue with state-of-the-art music rooms and a concert hall."
The workshops will consist of vocal harmonies, classical singing, choral
singing, and a technical masterclass for singers and teachers who want to learn different vocal techniques to use in performing, and to pass on to their students. Three of the workshops will feature evening concerts open to the public and the workshop participants will have the opportunity to perform a piece of music they have learnt during the day.
The first of these workshops and concerts will take place on Sunday April 18 at Thornden Hall. The Vocal Harmonies Workshop will be run by "The Passion," an exciting musical collaboration of three of the UK's most popular contemporary performers - Sara Colman, Jacqueline Dankworth and Liane Carroll. They will go on to do an evening performance at Thornden Hall and tickets are available from The Point Box Office via 023 8065 2333.
For further information about the workshops and concerts contact Angela Jackson on 023 8025 3428 or visit: www.angelajacksonsworkshops.co.uk. (©Peter Ashton 2004)

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Swanage Blues Festival happens over the weekend Friday March 5 to Sunday March 7 in the picturesque Dorset coastal town, and admission to all venues is totally free. There are eight bands on the Friday evening, six on the Saturday evening, with Stars of the Weekend, guests and floor spots in The Kings Bar both Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
Artists appearing will be Gary Brewer & the GB's, The Robert Hokum Band, Roy Mette, Crosscut Saw, Arecibo, Claude Bourbon, Tim Royce & Reg Edwards, Ben Harrison & Hugh Jones, Purbeck Slim, Paul Darby, ‘Lucky’ Steve’ and more.
Latest news and previous years’ reviews at www.swanage-blues.org or phone 01929 422338 for organiser Steve Darrington. (©Peter Ashton 2004)

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Now we are into February preparations are well under way for this year’s music festivals. We will be keeping you in touch with who’s on where at festivals in our Festival Focus section as from next month, but here is the lineup for the first of this year’s festivals, and a few more:

Cheltenham Folk Festival 2004 takes place February 6 - 8; see the website www.cheltenhamfestivals.co.uk for booking details. Here is the line-up:

Kate Rusby Trio
Nancy Kerr & James Fagan
John Spiers & Jon Boden
Dr Faustus
Tim Van Eyken & Rob Harbon
Demon Barber Roadshow
The Witches of Elswick
Threlfall, Ellison & Edwards
Georgina Le Faux
Firebrand
Mick Ryan & Pete Harris
Phil Beer Band
Old Swan band
Captain Swing
  (©Peter Ashton 2004)

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Festival organiser Peter Chegwyn has just announced the artists appearing at this year’s Gosport and Fareham Easter Festival. Here it is

GOSPORT & FAREHAM EASTER FESTIVAL 2004
Thursday April 8 to Monday April 12, 2004
The Levellers acoustic - Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze & band - Show of Hands & band - Cara Dillon - John Jones Oysterband with Benji Kirkpatrick & Seth Lakeman - The Phil Beer Band - Last Night's Fun - Emily Slade - Les Barker - Ron Trueman-Border - The Paperboys - Back of The Moon - Broderick - Luke Daniels & Jonathan Preiss - Clare Mann, Leo McCann & Ross Martin - Filska Shetland - Kate Purcell Ireland - Cantrip - Althing - Judy Cook USA - Nick Burbridge - Helen Andrews & Deborah Peake - Legacy - Arlen - Tab Hunter & Ben Paley - The Carla Hendricks Band - George Wilson - Mary Jane - Doghouse & many more, plus:
Concerts - Workshops - Sessions - Dance Displays - Craft Fayre - Festival Club - Singarounds - Late Night Extra - & more
For further information, please contact info@gosportfestival.co.uk
Festival information: 023 9252 8017
Ferneham Hall Box Office: 01329 231942
Ashcroft Arts Centre Box Office: 01329 310600  (©Peter Ashton 2004)