Everyone is on the Bandwagon
This weekend sees the return of the successful Bandwagon night at Soundmagic Studios in Ayr, which I wrote about last week.
It’s so good I thought I would mention it again. Saturday , July 29 is the ten year celebration of the mighty Bandwagon night – essentially a festival in a rehearsal and recording studio.
There are performers from all over Ayrshire and the atmosphere is loose, fun and convivial to the max. Featuring 18 local bands and performers, 4 DJ’s and special guests The Ronains from Glasgow , it will be a fitting celebration. Doors open at 7pm at the venue on Waggon Road in Ayr, just off Tam’s Bridge and Newton on Ayr station.
With a licensed bar and hot food there’s opportunity to refuel as the night could well be a late one. With a strong belief in fostering local talent, SoundMagic is much more than a rehearsal and recording space but a thriving community space for musicians to develop. Tickets £ 5.
● The entertainment for the Ayr & District Flower Show has been revealed, taking place at Ayr Racecourse on Friday 18 and Saturday August 19.
The event will feature The Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra as well as several fantastic music groups from Opportunities in Retirement including folk, blues and americana. Ayrshire soprano Nicola Cassells, singer songwriter Kieran Robinson and more are set to perform.
● Creative Scotland are offering a number of grants to fund, nurture and develop young musicians and youth music projects.
There are a number of different funding methods which you can apply for, whether that’s via your school with the School Based Music Making Fund or the Access to Music Making Fund for musicians aged up to 25 for performance outwith school hours.
● There’s a fantastic opportunity on our doorstep to get involved with the Ayrshire Opera Experience. The group are offering the opportunity for budding singers to gain experience and have fun by taking part in Mozart’s Magic Flute.
The opera will be translated into Scots Language , breathing new life into the well known opera. The course will culminate with a premiere staged production at the Harbour Arts Centre on the August 12.
Rehearsals and sessions will be held at the venue from August 6- 12 with chorus rehersals taking place in evenings and weekends. This is a unique opportunity to learn from professional musicians and singers on vocal and dramatic interpretation of opera.
The course will be led by tenor David Douglas, soprano Colleen Nicoll and pianist Andrew Johnston.
The cost for the course will be £ 50 for the entire week, including music rehearsals, vocal technique sessions, singing, acting and movement sessions. This course is guaranteed to be fun and rewarding giving participants a rare opportunity to perform a new and exciting version of The Magic Flute. If you would like to be involved contact ayrshireopera@ gmail. com and let them know your voice type ( if known) and experience. Until next week, @ littlefire