A Music Workshop weekend is being organised by ButeLive, a not-for-profit organisation, for the weekend of 11/12 February 2006. Styles will include jazz, traditional and contemporary music, with an objective to encourage participants to experiment with a fusion of these styles, in order to widen their musical horizons.

The event, supported by Argyll & the Islands Enterprise, will cater for musicians with an intermediate standard and classes are scheduled for piano, guitar, bass, percussion, saxophone, flute, fiddle & harmonica. In addition, ensemble development and PA setup sessions are scheduled together with a master class in fretless bass.

The tutors are prominent exponents of their instruments, BOBBY WISHART (SAXOPHONE & FLUTE), CHARLIE McKERRON (FIDDLE), KEVIN MACKENZIE (GUITAR ACOUSTIC & ELECTRICAL), EWEN VERNAL (DOUBLE BASS, FRETLESS & FRETTED BASS GUITAR), NICK WELDON (PIANO), FRASER SPEIRS (HARMONICA) and SANDRO CIANCIO (PERCUSSION). Students will benefit from working with these nationally acclaimed expert tutors, who will encourage participants to develop their musical skills in solo, small group and ensemble situations.

The course, programmed by the ButeLive’s Course Director Tim Saul, runs over Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th February featuring a weekend packed with master classes, ensemble sessions and two concerts. The Saturday night concert will feature the tutors and the Sunday afternoon concert stars the course participants who will be able to demonstrate their newly acquired skills. Both concerts are open to the public. Tickets are £5 each or £7.50 combined. 12years and under are free.

A place on this course would make a super Christmas present for a budding musician. The full fee is £105 for the weekend and includes admission to both concerts. Places are limited so an early application is advised.

A number of course places for budding musicians who live on the island are being part sponsored by local businesses. This reduces the cost to the student to £55 and written applications for these places will be considered by the board of ButeLive if received by the end of December.

Full details and an online application form can be accessed at www.butelive.co.uk  Information packs can be obtained by telephoning 01700 500623 during office hours, or by writing to ButeLive Music Tuition Weekend, 27 Argylle Place, Rothesay, Isle of Bute PA20 0BA.