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YOUR COURSE TUTOR
Heather McLaughlin
I have led around 20 marimba making days in Victoria and Japan over the years. The most common type is for a group of primary school families, where we make a marimba for the school in one day, with about 5 families taking part.
My main career has been as a primary school music teacher, now retired, but still teaching in a primary school as a volunteer. I am also involved in the Taree area as co-ordinator of the U3A program for the Manning Valley U3A, and offer sessions in Recorder and marimba playing. I also play the violin and organise and play in many music events such as Folk music afternoons and a Baroque orchestra.
Kim Price will be working alongside Heather as the assistant for this course.
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Following techniques from Jon Madin's guide "Make Your Own Marimba," you'll learn the art of chiseling hardwood bars to achieve proper pitch and tone.
Over five morning sessions, participants will work collaboratively to build a complete, playable instrument from start to finish.
We will also be playing music each day on instruments provided, using marimbas, xylophones, boomwhackers, and percussion. There will likely be some informal performances during the week.
Students will gain experience and knowledge of tuning wooden bars/construction of a marimba and learn up to 8 pieces of music played in the marimba and percussion group.
The completed instrument will measure approximately 2 metres wide by 1 metre high, with folding legs.
Please note that all students on this course will be working on ONE marimba together as a group. The instrument will then be given away as a raffle prize, with tickets available for any interested students.
The intention is to enjoy working on a group project and gain some new skills.
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Please bring the following on your first day of class:
Some tools will be provided, but if students have their own set of chisel(s)/mallet please bring along.
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No experience required
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The week will start with introductions, getting to know each other.
We will check out the two marimbas that the tutor has provided, and try playing the instruments.
Then we will get onto the initial division of tasks - some adults to make the frame, and instruction of others as to chiselling the bars for tuning.
The week will be interspersed with learning to play the marimba, along with other instruments that the tutor will bring along.