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H2008
Report on the NHL Festival in Bristol
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The feedback from the H2007 festival was very positive again - from visitors, who came from all over Europe, the artists and the large number of children who attended the Sunday programme run by Ben
Hewlett and Aidan Sheehan. More people stayed for the Sunday and the workshop programme provided
the biggest variety so far with three different ones being on offer every hour on Saturday and
Sunday morning. Thanks to the many workshop leaders for the work, which went into their
preparation. The concert was a sell out again with standing room only and it did not disappoint.
The range of styles and the performances by the artists made it another great one.
The AGM was held on the Friday evening with David Hambley as Secretary. Steve Dooley was voted
onto the committee. Gerry Ezard stood down but will continue to help on specific projects.
Membership has doubled since 2000. The financial situation remains good with little change
over the year despite increases in the size/cost of the magazine.
We agreed to look again at becoming a Charity or a Limited Company as recommended by the
Federation of Festivals. This would remove financial liability from members of the committee.
View a slideshow of the festival (you have to wait for it to load all the images before the slideshow will run)
View details of the festival: Harmonica 2007
A Snapshot of H2007 by Paul Gillings
Whilst standing in the cafeteria and lobby area of the Folk House during the festival, one had the feeling that the entire establishment was deserted. A quick peek into any of the rooms
housing the competition or the workshops explained exactly where everybody was. There was
not a time when these places were deserted. Everyone seemed to be where they wanted to be; talking about Harmonicas, playing Harmonicas or listening to Harmonicas.
The standard and diversity of the playing in the competition gets better each passing year. Indeed, it doesn’t even have the air of a tense competition, but the atmosphere of a place where
novices, and the experienced alike share the same stage and give it their all to the delight of the crowd. The pleasure and surprise in the faces of those who gained an award being a testimony to this. My own student gaining a 2nd place with myself in the duo section placed him on cloud nine.
The most pleasing, for me, was seeing Eddie Ong get his much deserved first place in the Solo
Chromatic section. A varied and talented Harmonica player on all forms of the instrument, I predict great things for this man.
The excellent schedule for workshops (great work Steve Dooley) made sure those wanting
to see everything could easily do so. The variety and scope of the workshops seemed to please
everyone I came into contact with.
The only criticism to be heard was that we need bigger rooms to take the crowds attending the
workshops. Everything from the basics of rhythm, from Keith Parker, to the complexities of Jazz
theory, from Julian Jackson and Harry Pitch, were relayed in fantastic form.
And then there was the concert... What a night. Ask any Harmonica player and they will tell you that the most nerve racking audience is that of other players. So it turned out to be. I took knockkneed to the stage to perform my simple pieces for the eager crowd.
That part over with, I gave way to, not necessarily my elders, but certainly my betters. Stand out performances for me include: Philip Achille putting in a stunning performance with his tribute to Larry Adler and special mention also goes to Willi Burger who treated us to some acoustic classics that displayed the man’s exquisite tone and technique.
The concert saw the return to our stage of the eclectic playing of Brendan Power and the evening
was played out by the superb Pete G and the Magnitones. Pete is a great player of the old masters
blues form and has a fantastically tight band in the Magnitones.
I can’t wait to see what they have in store for H2008. See you there!
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