Bass Days 2018 - Bishopbriggs and Edinburgh
On October 5th, David Heyes led a workshop in Bishopbriggs, Glasgow with Lynette Eaton, where more than 30 local young Bass players enjoyed a great day of learning and playing. On Saturday 6th, David did the same for about 20 players, ranging from 7 to 70, in Edinburgh. On Sunday 7th, we had a jazz workshop led by Andrew Robb, 2018 winner of the BassEurope Jazz competition In Lucca, Italy, followed by a concert, led by David and featuring all of the attendees. Also performing in Edinburgh were Gabriele Ragghianti from Lucca, Italy and Emma Sullivan from Melbourne, Australia.

Thanks also to the many professional players who came along and took part. A great way to celebrate 25 years of the Scottish Bass Trust.

Sunday October 28th, 2012

With
Nikita Naumov, Adrian Bornet, Richard Michael,
Bob Miller, Andrew Robb and May Halyburton

Programme
09.30 - Registration and unpack
10.00 - Warm up session with Adrian Bornet
10.30 - Workshop1 - Classical, jazz or electric bass
11.30 - Break
11.45 - Workshop 2 - Classical, jazz or electric bass
12.45 - Jazz Recital with Richard and Andrew
13.15 - Lunch
14.00 - Workshop 3 - Classical, jazz or electric bass
15.30 - Break
16.00 - Ensembles concert followed by Classical recital with Nikita
17.30 - Close

Join us in a day of complete self-gratification - from rock to classical. There will be ensemble opportunities for the classically minded to play together, and similarly for the electric bass players to play together or for classical and rockers to join 'cross-over' ensembles, so no one need feel left out.

Morning sessions include basic warm up, mixed ensemble playing, teaching rock riffs and classical moves, your choice, culminating in a lunch time rock band concert - bring your own lunch, there aren't many shops around St Georges.

Afternoon sessions will focus on group work and getting to grips with playing together. The participants will determine the size of the groups; they may be small or not so small, but there will be a place for all levels and abilities.

The Grand finale will be at 5pm when the music which we have worked on will be played to friends and family, followed at 5.30pm with a recital by Nikita Naumov. Feel free to invite your friends (donations gratefully accepted).

Nikita is the new principal of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and has to be heard to be believed.

So, for double the fun, bring your double bass or electric bass to St Georges Edinburgh on September 11th for the bass party of the year.

9.30am registration, Sessions start at 10am. Lunch break 1pm - 2pm (remember to bring your own). Ends approximately 6.30pm.

£35 per person, family discounts available, please ask.

Nikita Naumov, the newly appointed Principal Bass Player of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra showed his enthusiasm, skill and stamina at the double bass day on Saturday, September 18th.

Around 20 bass players gathered in the auditorium at George Watson's School, Edinburgh, to play together.

Nikita Naumov, recently arrived from St Petersburg, claimed that he could not yet speak English but had no difficulty whatsoever in communicating, and established an instant and lasting rapport with both students and staff.

He led the opening practice session before the group split up into ability levels and played through several pieces arranged by local teacher and professional player May Halyburton. Nikita joined in with great gusto, adding ornamental flourishes to the solo part of Abba's Dancing Queen, whist hinting that it was not generally part of his normal repertoire. He showed yet another facet of his skills in the afternoon when he participated in the improvising jazz session led by Richard Michael and Richard Ingham, two well known British jazz musicians, eventually tearing himself away to reacquaint himself with his own bass, in solo tuning, for his recital later in the afternoon.

And when the rest of the group, tired but happy, were able to sit back and relax with parents and friends, Nikita, enthusiastically and skilfully accompanied by Miriam Leskis, played Robert Schumann's Adagio & Allegro, op 70, followed by an almost nonchalant, but completely absorbing, performance of the immensely taxing Eduard Tubin Concerto before putting the finishing touch to a memorable day with a dazzling display of virtuosity with Giovanni Bottesini's Lucia di Lammermoor.

He clearly enjoyed every moment which added greatly to the audience's feel good factor.The only shadow on the day was that whilst the Scottish Chamber Orchestra has appointed him, it is not proving easy to get him a visa, as the new British red tape ties the process up in knots.

We wish them every success. Already he has been a huge asset to a small band of Scottish Bassists, we hope that's only the beginning.