Saffron Walden Arts Festival: Race is on to create street band in an afternoon

Monday, May 7, 2012
9:50 AM

SAFFRON Walden festival-goers with musical enthusiasm will get the chance to be part of an exciting sound as Oi Musica’s Marcus Britton gets to work with drums and brass to create a street band in an afternoon.

Oi Musica is a creative partnership set up by Edinburgh-based musicians Olivia Furness and Marcus Britton who have worked with a wide range of groups throughout the UK to deliver high quality music making activities.

Olivia and Marcus are both founding members of 10-piece street band Orkestra del Sol, which started in 2004 and has subsequently gone on to tour the UK, Europe, India, China and Australia.

At Saffron Walden Arts Festival on June 10, brass expert Marcus will be working with participants to create a street band in under three hours. There will be a workshop for brass players who will have some experience of playing, but who may never have had the chance to play in a street band, followed by a workshop for beginner drummers. Both groups will then be put together for a short performance.

If you play a brass instrument (or saxophone) and want to try something different, sign up for the session. Drummers need no previous experience, just enthusiasm.

Participation in the workshops is free, but a £5 holding deposit will be required which is refundable on attendance. Participants must be aged 14 year or over. Spaces are limited to 15 in each group, and must be booked in advance through the Tourist Information Office (01799 424002).