A typical day in the life of a WYGF student

by Helen

I remember going back to school after the long Summer holidays and and being asked by my English teacher, Mrs Cartledge (who was rather strict, and more than a little bit scary) to write a story entitled A day in the life of a penny. Needless to say mine involved a rather predictable but nevertheless dramatic, tumble from a pocket into the gutter, down the drain and into the murky sewers below. I have absolutely no idea how the story ended now, and I very much doubt that it is ingrained in Mrs Cartledge’s memory either, but I’m going to re-live the experience somewhat by giving you all a glimpse of A day in the life of a WYGF student!

There’s a great deal to cram in during your days at WYGF, so after breakfast we’ll be kicking off with the first WYGF orchestra session of the day. The orchestra mentors will lead a warm-up session to gently wake up your fingers (and brains!) and then rehearsals will begin in earnest. Every WYGF Orchestra will work on two pieces, each with a different tutor, ready for the final performance at the student concert on Friday afternoon. There will probably be 8 orchestras at WYGF09, all graded to ability so there will be plenty of encouragement for the less confident or experienced players and a nice meaty challenge for the high flyers.

Before you know it, it will be break time. (Doesn’t time fly when you’re having fun?!) After that we will have a workshop session led by a special guest artist. At WYGF07 we had Noah Messomo visit for an African Drumming workshop which was such excellent fun that all the WYGF tutors were fighting to have a go too. I could tell you exactly what we have planned for WYGF09, but I’m not going to spoil the surprise – well not yet anyway…

WYGF09 has breakfast and two hot meals a day, and yes you’ve guessed it, lunch is already ready and waiting for you in the dining room. Eat up, and then there’ll be time for a masterclass and some individual lessons before the Showcase Concert begins. This is where students who have come to WYGF as part of a group who regularly rehearse together get a chance to show us all what they can do. Last year we had fabulous performances from: the Corinium Players, Twango, Vicky Bodman Guitar Orchestra and Haringey Guitar Ensemble. We hope to squeeze in a few more in 2009, but we’ll be allocating spaces on a first come-first served basis, so hurry up and get those applications in.

You didn’t think that there was only one orchestra session every day did you? Of course not, we all need the practice and now you’ve been inspired by your fellow students’ performances, it’s time for rehearsal number two, this time with your other tutor.

Well done, time for tea! You’ll have time for a browse round the WYGF shops and exhibitors which are right next to the dining room. There will be guitars to try, music to buy, CDs and lots lots more. There will even be a WYGF tuck shop in case you think you’ll get the munchies later!

Who’d have thought? It’s time for the evening concert already. Make your way to the 550 seat Bacon Theatre (it’s right next to your rehearsal rooms) and sit back and enjoy the show. This year’s concerts will be given by Martha Masters, Graham Devine, Brad Richter and the Vida Guitar Quartet. The concerts are open to the general public and the atmosphere will be electrifying.

We work hard and play hard at WYGF and every evening we like to have a bit of a social and let our hair down. Some of our WYGF07 team are still recovering from the experience of the WYGF Tutor’s Panto: they should be out of therapy in time for WYGF09 … oh no we won’t …. oh yes you will ….. Or perhaps it will be Guitar Oscars Night where you all get a chance to get your posh frocks on and hear the nominations for the best fingernails category, or pick up your prize for most improved guitarist in a supporting role.