Ukulele Virtuoso to Lead Concert, Workshop

James Hill Anne Davison(SHEFFIELD, Mass.) – Ukulele virtuoso and singer-songwriter James Hill teams up with cellist Anne Davison for a duo concert at Dewey Memorial Hall on Sunday, September 1, 2013, at 7:30pm. The duo’s recording, True Love Don’t Weep, was named Traditional Album of the Year by the 2009 Canadian Folk Music Awards. Hill, who always combines concert appearances with music instruction, will conduct an intermediate level “Swing Ukulele” workshop earlier that day at 3pm at The Magic Fluke Uke Shop.

Call 413.229.8535 for tickets.

James Hill’s technical prowess on ukulele is achieved through attacking what is mostly regarded as a lowly folk instrument with the seriousness and nuance of technique usually associated with the highest levels of virtuosity on classical violin or piano. His inspirational music seminars have made him something of a ukulele-based motivational speaker. Hill’s expansive approach to his instrument even includes hip-hop influenced forays into heavily percussive, beat-driven prepared-ukulele “sound sculptures”: John Cage meets Chalmers Doane via Kid Koala.

James Hill Anne DavisonJames Hill grew up in the town of Langley, British Columbia, where ukulele instruction has been mandatory in many schools since the late 1970s. During his teenage years he honed his skills as a key member of the renowned Langley Ukulele Ensemble and as a student at the Langley Community Music School. Hill continued his study of music at the University of British Columbia where he earned a Bachelor of Music Degree in 2002.  In a full-circle plot twist, Hill – also a passionate teacher – went on to co-author the Ukulele in the Classroom method book series with J. Chalmers Doane, the trail-blazing teacher who pioneered the use of ukuleles in Canadian schools.
 

 

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