Events for West Lothian’s musical youth

Aug 12 2010 by Marjorie Kerr, West Lothian Courier

MINI musicians are to be given the chance to show off their skills at special workshops starting this month.

The Mini Music Makers events return to Bathgate and Livingston, and are designed to open up the world of music to children of any age under five and their parent/carer using singing, rhymes and games.

With puppets, parachutes and percussion instruments to bring the music to life, the emphasis in these sessions is on fun.

After a fun-filled summer season, Mini Music Makers will run at Howden Park Centre in Livingston, from next Friday (August 20).

The classes will be led by Tracy Curle, who decided to train as a Mini Music Maker leader after taking part with her two young children.

Speaking of her time at Mini Music Makers, Tracy said: “My two children and I have loved the fun and games of Mini Music Makers classes over the last three years and I’ve been impressed with the way they have developed musicianship skills using the Kodály approach.

“As a cellist, I’m excited about being able to do something I love and introduce more children to music.”

There are three classes on Friday mornings at Howden Park Centre, Livingston. Events for two to three-year-olds take place from 9.30am to 10.10am; the three to five-year-olds’ class will run from 10.20am to 11am and for one to two-year-olds will take place from 11.10am to 11.50am.

The sessions are split into three terms: August 20 to September 17, at a cost of £15; September 24 to October 15 at cost of £12 and from October 29 to December 3, which costs £18.

To book your place please contact the Box Office on 01506 777666 or visit www.howden parkcentre.co.uk or www.nycos.co.uk for more information.

Judith Gray, who also takes a NYCoS Mini Music Makers in Falkirk, will be leading the musical journey on Wednesdays in Bathgate, with classes starting on August 25 at the Regal Community Theatre.

There will be two classes – sessions for one to two-year-olds, from 9.15 to 10am and for two to four-year-olds from 10 to 10.45am.

Each of these classes is offered on Wednesday mornings in two terms.

Term 1 runs from August 25 to October 6 and term 2 from October 27 to December 1.

Each term costs £18.

To book your place, contact the Regal Community Theatre Box Office on 01506 630 085 or visit www.nycos.co.uk

Mini Music Makers are run by the National Youth Choir of Scotland in partnership with West Lothian Council Arts Services