More than one hundred workshop participants are taking part in the classes—fewer than in previous years. This year there is no saxophone class because no one interested in learning the instrument signed up. Traditionally, there are classes in vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, Hammond organ, harmonica and drums. This year, new teachers joined the faculty: Grażyna Łobaszewska, Michał Tokaj, Piotr Żaczek, Robert Luty and Jacek Królik.
This year, because there are fewer workshop participants, learning conditions have improved. “There are five teachers for 36 guitarists—so there are seven students per class,” says Dorota Pińczuk, the workshop organizer. In previous years, groups sometimes consisted of 12 people, which caused, for example, technical problems—it was impossible to connect all the guitars to the 10-channel amplifier at once. This year, ear training, harmony and the basics of improvisation have been added to the program.
The workshops will last nine days, but problems arose even before they began. “Yesterday we had a minor incident involving the police. Residents called at night to say that we were playing too loudly at the Pegaz club,” says Dorota Pińczuk. The workshop organizer explains that an event without playing music at night would lose its character and asks everyone living near the Pegaz club for their understanding.
A blues-accompanied mass and a review of blues bands have been prepared for the residents of Bolesławiec. The mass will take place on Sunday, July 24, in the Kwiatowe housing estate, and the review on Saturday, July 23, in the Forum hall. There will be no final concert.
Update 2005-07-22 18:02
As it turned out today, there were no problems with amplifiers in previous years. It is true that there were sometimes more than 12 people in a class, but this was the result of a lecturer’s popularity. Neither the young people nor the teachers objected to having more people in the room.