Creative half term music workshops Theatre & Performing Arts

Learn new instrumental techniques & perform in concert this half-term

During this week of creative music workshops, participants will explore Brazil’s exuberant sounds and rhythms - from Rio’s instrumental Choro music to the uplifting songs from the Forró and the Afro-Brazilian traditions of the north-east region. In addition to learning new instrumental and vocal techniques with professional musicians, participants will have the opportunity to perform in concert alongside Trio Simbora on the Friday evening.
This half-term activity is part of Sounding Out, a project led by youth music charity NYMAZ, which aims to provide the county’s young people with more music opportunities. NYMAZ has partnered with Live Music Now to put together this week-long music residency.
NYMAZ director Sarah McWatt explains, “We’re all set for a really fun week where young people will be able to find out about diverse musical genres, styles and cultures, as well as developing their improvisation techniques and performance skills.
We are all too aware of how expensive it is to keep children occupied during the school holidays, which is why the week is offered free of charge. We’re just asking for people to purchase a £5 ticket* for the Friday evening concert in order to secure their place for the week.”
All abilities are welcome to learn from Trio Simbora, which is made up of Luiz Morais on the 7-string guitar and Rachel Hayter on the flute, with Milena Sá on percussion.
The February session is the first in a series of three Sounding Out music residencies. In the pipeline for May and October half term weeks respectively are a jazz week in Selby and a folk week in Helmsley.
Sarah McWatt adds, “We are committed to not only increasing the musical offer for children and young people, their families and the wider population of North Yorkshire – but we want to diversify it too. Sounding Out is a great opportunity for young people to learn from and work with marvellous musicians from diverse cultures.”
In addition, schools are invited to tune into a live-streamed performance from Trio Simbora on 7 February at 1.15pm which will introduce Brazilian music and the musicians to pupils, in advance of the half-term holiday activity.

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