| Asian Music Circuit Winter School of Indian Music | |||||
Come along to the AMC's Winter School of Music this February The Asian Music Circuit is the leading promoter of Asian music in the UK, producing high quality tours and education events of music from all over Asia. Based in Warple Way near Acton Park, we’ve been working with the local community to celebrate music from all corners of Asia for more than 20 years. This February in Acton Park, the Asian Music Circuit is delighted to be presenting its annual Winter School of Indian music, when internationally renowned artists are invited to the AMC’s Museum in Bradford Way to run short courses open to all. Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar, the outstanding master of Gwalior and Jaipur Gharanas, is well known for his melodious, superbly flexible voice and will be giving vocal classes. He’ll be joined by one of the greatest exponents of tabla, Pandit Suresh Talwalkar: this well-known name among music-lovers and accomplished Guru will be leading a percussion course. The Winter School 2011 takes place from 21st – 23rd February and places are still available: visit our website for a booking form, or call us on 020 8742 9911 if you’re interested in taking part. The two musicians will also be giving a performance at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in West Kensington on Sunday 20th February (tickets on 020 7381 3086). So what is the Asian Music Circuit? We strive to make the wonderful variety of Asian music accessible to audiences, and arrange concerts and tours from visiting international and local Asian musicians, as well as courses and educational projects for adults, young people and local schoolchildren. By focusing on traditional music, the Asian Music Circuit celebrate the diverse richness of Asian cultural identities, and we work hard in developing a new generation of talented young musicians. Over the years, they ’ve gathered some high-profile supporters, including Mayor of London, Boris Johnson. “I wholeheartedly agree with the AMC's view that music is one of the deepest expressions of people's understanding of our world”, according to the Mayor. “Spanning many countries and genres, Asian music is wide-ranging as well as beautifully poetic and evocative.” To help us work closer with the local community here in Acton, and supported by an Arts Capital lottery award from Arts Council England, the Asian Music Circuit’s Museum was opened officially by the Prince of Wales in 2008 and is the first of its kind in the UK. Located in Bradford Road, just off The Vale, the Museum offers an interactive way to discover the diversity of Asian music in a hands-on environment. There are exhibits of musical instruments from across the continent, which are regularly removed from their cases and played at events – often free of charge – and as well as the permanent displays, there’s an ongoing programme of temporary exhibitions, including planned celebrations of Chinese, Japanese and Middle Eastern culture coming later in 2011. An afternoon spent in the Museum offers a very interactive experience: touchscreens throughout allow visitors to find out more about the displays, listen to music extracts and watch video clips. The Asian Music Circuit’s extensive audio-visual archive is based here too, though the highlight for many is our interactive ‘sound beam’ chamber in which gestures and movements are turned into music, or the virtual Guru: a machine which visualises visitors’ voice patterns. They’re innovative elements which never fail to impress. “The centre is unique in the breadth of its collection”, says Boris, “but it is also important because of its commitment to music education for young people, something that is dear to my heart.” It’s a lively venue with a busy calendar of recitals, listening sessions and education events, and we welcome visits from individuals, groups and schools. We’re open Monday – Friday from 10am to 5pm, and during evenings and at weekends for events or by appointment – to check before you arrive, for further information, or to discuss a group booking, call us on 020 8742 9911. You’ll find a map of the area and directions on our website at www.amc.org.uk.
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