Some of our finest budding violinists in Y7 and Y8 were treated to an extremely useful and fun-filled workshop with our Strings Music Fellow, Marcin Markowicz.
During the hour-long session, the internationally renowned solo violinist passed on plenty of useful tips on a variety of performance techniques and things to focus on during practice to hone their violin skills.
Marcin’s tricks of the trade were presented to the boys through a variety of funny tasks and competitions. These included seeing who could bow the slowest on an open string – without stopping for a pause – which was harder than it sounds! The boys were then tasked with finding their perfect centre of balance while standing, then putting their arms out zombie-style, turning the left hand up and getting the right hand in position so that they were in the perfect violin-playing position.
Another ‘fiddly’ challenge had the boys holding their bow and moving their fingers up and down the length of the bow (like a crawling spider) to encourage their dexterity and bow handling.
It was certainly a laughter-filled hour, and one that gave the boys plenty to think about – as well as lots to add to their practice sessions.
The boys also enjoyed a truly magical lunchtime recital by Marcin and our own Mrs Bantock the day before.
Head of Strings, Mr Bantock, enthused, “What an absolute pleasure and honour to experience such phenomenally outstanding musicality and creativity from two outstanding performers. Shimmering multitudes of ever-evolving colour and light enraptured a spellbound audience in this not to be forgotten gem of a concert.”
You can read more about Marcin Markowicz and our other Music Fellows here.
If you would like to see recital in action, you can watch the highlights in the film below: