UNIVERSITY NEWS LAST UPDATED : 08 NOVEMBER 2022
Big Little Bass Day hit Royal Birmingham Conservatoire recently, with more than 50 young bassists from across the country arriving in the city. Attendees ranging from just five years old to 70 years old took part in a concert in the Bradshaw Hall.
Many of the young double bassists came together for the first time in many years, thanks to Artistic Director, Visiting Tutor, and Section Leader Double Bass at City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Tony Alcock, and tutors Claus Freudenstein, creator of the mini bass, and RBC alumnus and Head of Musical Progression at Hertfordshire Music Service, Sean Law.
It was a day to remember and build on, with ensemble sessions seeing the young bassists divided into Red Rockets, Blue Bottesinis and Green Gallopers, with a concert featuring RBC students and visiting staff, and finishing with a double bass choir with everyone on stage in the Bradshaw Hall.
Tony said: “Our mission was to share with young people and teachers how much we love the double bass at RBC and the fun of performing with others. We wanted communities to come together and show that anyone can experience the power of music.
“We had beginners, students playing for the first time and experienced students and their teachers.”
One parent said: “What an experience my daughter had! To be able to see Anthony play alongside his students, and to be able to meet Claus, who Jenny my daughter calls the rock bass man was fantastic. Sean was great with her too. She’s inspired, and it’s amazing how much confidence the experience brought out in her.”
Tony added: “We needed people to feel the passion, as it leads to inspired young people. It was such a joy.”