Publicity Column

Sam Wilkinson Vice-Chair

HarmonicaUK coffee mornings and lockdown sessions – a year on.

It’s 2 May 2020, 1:03pm… ‘It’s nice to see everybody today. Welcome to the first of these workshops. Hopefully you’ll be able to glean something from it’ These were the words of Paul Gillings at the start of the first ever HarmonicaUK Lockdown Session. A year on and they’re still going strong; artists are now asking to run sessions, which is a great testimony to the reputation HarmonicaUK has gained in the last year. At the same time, the Friday Coffee Mornings began, hosted by David Hambley – a role that comes naturally to him. Since then, a core of members and non-members have this weekly event in their diaries. I would now like to share some quotes from artists and participants, but first from our chair ...

Pete Hewitt, HarmonicaUK Chairman

‘The thing I keep hearing is that once we were accessible twice a year, but now it’s twice a week. This is a fundamental shift that the members have welcomed. They love the camaraderie of the Friday morning coffee mornings, and the lockdown sessions that are a very valuable resource.’

ARTISTS Davide Speranza

‘Very interesting experience. The harmonica is a wonderful instrument and HarmonicaUK brings out every aspect of it. Artists sharing their style and techniques increases the awareness of harmonica in different world cultures.’

Marcin Dyjak

‘I think the Lockdown Sessions are much more than just learning to play harmonica. They focus on building knowledge and giving the opportunity to develop technical skills and understanding music theory. There are other significant benefits too, including providing participants with the opportunity to belong to a group of people with similar interests during isolation, improving respiratory efficiency (blood oxygenation) and lowering stress-related

blood cortisol levels. I support HarmonicaUK activities with all my knowledge and harmonica skills!’

Philip Hopkins

‘Doing the Lockdown Sessions has been a great experience for me. It has been amazing to connect with so many harmonica enthusiasts and learn from the interesting comments they have made. Also, being asked to share my knowledge of chromatic harmonica has made me re-examine the way I do things – and has reminded me what I need to improve on! This has been a brilliant initiative by HarmonicaUK.’

Santiago Alvarez

‘The Lockdown Sessions gave me the chance to meet the fine harmonica enthusiasts of HarmonicaUK and share my love of Argentine music with them. Keep them going!’

PARTICIPANTS Thomas Lakars (Illinois, USA)

‘This crazy pandemic year has separated all of us, but via Zoom we’ve continued to enjoy music. Your excellent work with Lockdown Sessions now connects harmonica players across the world. Congratulations Sam and HarmonicaUK on your first anniversary!’

Steve Holstead

‘I’m a new member and have attended coffee mornings and Lockdown Sessions. Marcin Dyjak’s Fly Me To The Moon workshop added a completely new dimension to the song – brilliant! I’m looking forward to everything HarmonicaUK has to offer!’

Mike (Dublin)

‘Thank you for all the work you have put into the Lockdown Sessions. They have been fantastic!’

Arthur

‘I just want to thank you for all your great work on keeping the Lockdown Sessions going. It is great that you put them on YouTube. For many years now I have been a member of a club, but now I am part of a family – I can’t wait for Fridays and Saturdays!’ And to see us through the next year are the sage words from the exquisite Scottish Celtic Harmonica player, Donald Black …

‘Whether you are learners, world class players or simply interested in the instrument, I wish you all a happier and more fulfilling year ahead. Whatever your musical and cultural tastes - have a BALL!!! Keep safe.’