ONE-DAY workshop // UP NORTH // with sönke meinen
" Before Will performs one of his pieces, he takes a poignant pause - I guess that he collects his thoughts, excludes the outside world, and purely concentrates on giving his best performance. He gives the same care and attention to running his workshops. The pieces he chooses are challenging but accessible, and he teaches them with just the right pace, detail and good humour. Because he is the writer too, there is some fascinating insight into his process. It's a fun day from an accomplished player, composer and teacher. "
- Peter, One-Day Workshop Attendee 2022 -
The Info
Dates: Saturday 6th April 2024
Location: St Wilfrid’s Community Centre, Ripon, North Yorkshire
Description: A very exciting this one this as the opportunity to spend a day in the company of a guitarists such as Sönke Meinen doesn’t come up very often! Especially in the UK!
We’ll be drawing upon both our approaches for the content of the workshop with myself taking the lead in the first two morning sessions, then Sönke for the second two in the afternoon. Set pieces and exercises will lead to explorations on technique, musicality, composition, arrangement and performance.
PDF dual-system scores and MP3 recordings of the pieces will be sent in advance. You certainly don’t need to do any swatting up beforehand(!), but I know some folks like having a pick-through ahead of workshop sessions so they can hit the ground running. A printed workshop booklet will be provided for all participants on the day, so there’s no need to print anything yourself.
The workshop is run in a totally relaxed, no-pressure environment. No one will ever be ‘put on the spot’! The emphasis will be on playing sections and ideas together as a group.
Whilst we always aim to choose material that will be satisfying to dig into for a variety of different playing levels, I’d certainly say this workshop isn’t aimed at beginners. If you have at least 3 years playing experience, know a few fingerstyle pieces, and enjoy the kind of playing and writing Sönke and myself do, then this is the workshop for you!
As we’ll also be in the hometown of none other than Tom Sands, there will be opportunity for those who want to swing by his workshop at the end of the day for a farewell dram and a chat!
Performances: To round off the day there will an ‘open mic’ - opportunity for any participants to share a tune or two with the group - followed by a performance by Sönke and myself.
Timings: 10:00 - 18:00. The workshop will run from 10:30 - 17:00. It would be lovely for participants to arrive at 10 to grab a coffee and get settled. ‘Open mic’ and performance by Sönke and myself from 17:00 before wrapping up at 18:00. Then, as mentioned above, we can swing over to Tom’s workshop for a farewell drink.
Fee: £125 which includes printed workshop material, teas & coffees, and farewell drinks.
Availability: Limited to 12 participants.
Lunch: A table will be booked at The Storehouse Kitchen for lunch. Participants are kindly asked to cover the cost of their own meal.
Payment: You can secure your place via the ‘Add to Cart’ button below and completing payment of the full fee. On completing payment I’ll send you an email within 24 hours with an info pack attached which gives more detailed information on timings, location, accommodation options etc.
Cancellation: 30 days or more: a full refund will be given. Between 29 & 14 days: a 50% refund will be given. Less than 14 days: no refund will be given. In the unlikely event the workshop needs to be cancelled we will give as much notice as possible and will refund your fee in full. We cannot refund any associated travel or accommodation costs. In the unlikely event the workshop needs to be rescheduled you will be given the option to wait and attend the rearranged date, or receive a full refund.
Questions: please do contact me.
