WOMAD

STOP PRESS!...There are a limited number of bursaries for the Striking A Chord course. If you are interested, you must act fast as these bursaries are strictly limited! Please call 01225 740653/4 for more details.

WOMAD Summer School 2008 offers you a chance to deepen your musical experience and develop your skills.

Come and be part of this incredible opportunity to learn first hand from some of the world's most vibrant and accomplished performing artists - from drum legend Billy Cobham to Egyptian master percussionist Hossam Ramzy, classic UK songwriter Chris Difford (Squeeze) to West African kora maestro N'Faly Kouyaté and acclaimed guitarist Justin Adams.

A chance to be immersed in an exhilarating, creative atmosphere with the broad swathe of cultural flavours you'd expect from a WOMAD festival. A week of workshops and master classes, offering endless possibilities for cross-pollination and jamming.

Situated in the idyllic grounds of Bath Spa University, these residential courses will include plenty of opportunities to get to know musicians with amazing stories to tell and an enormous breadth of experience.

Drum Academy
Billy Cobham- simply one of the greatest drummers in the world and a dedicated and mindful teacher. A week with Billy Cobham is an experience no drummer will ever forget.

Patterns of Percussion
Hossam Ramzy is a legend in the world of Middle Eastern Percussion. A hugely experienced teacher, who enthuses and inspires in equal measure.

The Bedouin Jerry Can Band - Roots Egyptian sensations direct from the desert - authentic Arabic rhythms on junk percussion.

Salah Dawson Miller, UK percussion maestro and enthnomusicologist, will share his unique insights into the common roots of Afro Cuban and North African rhythms.

Guitar Connections
Justin Adams' years of musical border crossing with artists like Robert Plant and Tinariwen have given him a personal vision of how different musics connect, incorporating African and Middle Eastern elements alongside western guitar styles. His acclaimed current trio, with Gambian griot Juldeh Camara and Salah Dawson Miller will be on hand to demonstrate. Afro-Celt Sound System's charismatic kora wizard N'Faly Kouyaté will illustrate how West African melodies and rhythms transpose to guitar; a beautiful but little known area for Western guitarists to explore.

Singer Songwriters
Belfast born Andy White brings literary and political content with a dose of wry humour to the craft of song writing and Chris Difford, one of the Squeeze songwriting partnership, who carried the English torch lit by Ray Davies and Lennon and McCartney into the New Wave generation, will add weight to this week of words and music.

Striking a Chord
N'Faly Kouyaté whose name actually means music in Mandinque is on hand to introduce you to the art of African polyphonies. With a voice that weaves its magic around this irresistible and inspirational technique of singing, he will take you on a journey to the heart of West African song. Doreen Thobekile will also be on hand to teach some powerful South African roots vocals.

Dance
Serena Ramzy will lead a week of Egyptian Dance with her husband Hossam on percussion. A stunning dancer born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, she brings a lithe Samba energy to traditional folkloric dance, as well as Baladi and modern improvised styles. An amazing opportunity for dance enthusiasts to be led by a world-class master percussionist and his inspirational dance partner.

This stunning line up will have you digging deep into musical techniques, artist's histories and musical journeys

Childrens Art Camp (5 12 years)
Start the holidays with this fun filled week exploring techniques and making things happen. Join our wonderful arts team Malarky for practical sessions in making and creating some fabulous art works. Malarky specialise in recycling found materials into carnival costumes, sculptures, masks and all manner of decorative crafts.

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