Series of classes and workshops continues.

The Fifth Annual Maui Invitational Band Festival continues June 23 to July 5, with instrumental and vocal workshops and clinics, concerts and jam sessions. All workshops and clinics are open to musicians and vocalists of all ages and are separated by skill level. Produced by the Arts Education for Children Group (AECG), the 2008 lineup focuses on jazz and blues music.

“This year we are fortunate to welcome Vicki Randle, percussionist and vocalist for the Tonight Show Band, as an instructor and performer,” said Bryant Neal, executive director of AECG. “Returning to participate are Jazz Vibraphonist Emil Richards, Blues Guitarist Colin John, Hawaiian Slack Key Master Henry Allen, Vocalist Sheryl Renee, and members of the Los Angeles Music Academy.”

Created in 2003 to provide opportunities for Maui students and residents to study and play alongside accomplished Mainland and international instructors, the Maui Invitational Band Festival offers two weeks of workshops and clinics including two presented by Vicki Randle: “Less Cowbell: A Percussion Workshop” on June 30; and “Scat Signing Basics: A Vocal Workshop” on July 1. One of the most visible and hard working musicians in America, Vicki Randle has been the lead singer and percussionist of the acclaimed Tonight Show Band with Kevin Eubanks for the last 15 years. Reservations and a $10 donation are requested to attend these workshops, which will be held at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center Alexa Highashi Meeting Room.

The schedule also includes a blues guitar workshop with renowned blues guitarists Colin John and Michael Hill from June 30 to July 3; a musical theater workshop with Sheryl Renee from July 1 to 3; Henry Kaleialoha Allen’s ‘ukulele workshop series from July 1 to 3; songwriting with David Cowan from June 30 to July 3; and the Los Angeles Music Academy guitar/bass/percussion camp from June 23 to 27. These workshops will be held at Kihei Charter School. There is a fee to attend; scholarships and financial aid are available.

Symphonic Band Workshops with the Maui Community Band are held at 7 p.m. in the Baldwin High Band room on Thursdays to prepare for concerts in July. To participate in the free band workshops, call Lisa Owen at 572-6247.

The Maui Invitational Band Festival is sponsored by Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, the County of Maui, South Maui Learning ‘Ohana, and Grand Wailea Hotel Resort & Spa.

For more information and workshop applications, contact Arts Education for Children Group at (808) 667-2805, or visit www.aecg.org.

2008 Maui Invitational Band Festival
Workshop and Clinic Schedule

Symphonic Band Workshop and Performance

June 19 and 26  ·  7 p.m.

The Maui Community Band will host musicians from the Mainland and Hawai‘i to debut an original Hawaiian medley to be performed on July 4 in Lahaina. Join them for rehearsals to participate.

Ages: intermediate to advanced players of all ages

Location: Baldwin High School Band Room

Cost: Free

Contact: Call Lisa Owen at 572-6247

Los Angeles Music Academy Guitar/Bass/Percussion Camp

June 23 to 27  ·  8:30 a.m. to noon

Students will receive group instruction organized by instrument and further separated by level including beginning, intermediate and advanced. Focus will be on correct playing techniques, scales, chords, soloing ideas and playing within a band context. Students will also have opportunities for one-on-one instruction and playing with professional musicians at daily jam sessions and public performances.

Ages: intermediate to advanced players of all ages

Location: Kihei Charter School

Cost: $150, scholarships and financial aid available

Songwriting and Performance Workshop

June 30 to July 3  ·  9 to 11 a.m.

David Cowan will teach students to hone their singer/songwriter performance skills at this interactive songwriting workshop, designed to provide students with a comfortable and positive platform to share their song ideas, work on lyric content, song structure and collaborate with peers. Participants are encouraged to come to the workshop with a song, song ideas or lyrics.

Ages: all ages

Location: Kihei Charter School

Cost: $25

Less Cowbell: A Percussion Workshop with Vicki Randle

June 30  ·  7 p.m.

Vicki Randle has been the lead singer and percussionist of the acclaimed Tonight Show Band with Kevin Eubanks for the past 15 years. She will share some of her methods to adapt traditional rhythms and instruments in nontraditional settings.

Ages: all student and adult percussionists

Location: Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Alexa Higashi Meeting Room

Cost: $10 donation (reservations requested)

Colin John Blues Guitar Workshop

June 30 to July 3  ·  9 a.m. to noon

Legendary blues guitarists Colin John and Michael Hill will teach blues guitar basics and advanced techniques with an emphasis on live performance. John will demonstrate and teach the styles of artists such as B.B. King, Albert Collins, Albert King, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix. The similarities between delta blues, steel guitar and Hawaiian slack key will also be covered.

Ages: intermediate to advanced players of all ages

Location: Kihei Charter School

Cost: $100, scholarships and financial aid available

Scat Singing Basics: A Vocal Workshop with Vicki Randle

July 1  ·  7 p.m.

Randle will share some harmonic and rhythmic exercises that she uses to solo using her voice.

Ages: all student and adult singers

Location: Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Alexa Higashi Meeting Room

Cost: $10 donation (reservations requested)

Henry Kaleialoha Allen Ukulele Workshop Series

July 1 to 3  ·  10 a.m. to noon

‘Ukulele master Henry Allen will conduct a three-day workshop series covering beginners to teachers.

Ages: 13 to adult

Day 1: beginners aged 13 and older

Day  2: teachers, intermediate players age 13 and older

Day 3: teachers, intermediate and advanced

Location: Kihei Charter School

Cost: $20 per session

Musical Theater Workshop

July 1 to 3  ·  9 a.m. to noon

Playwright/producer/actress/vocalist Sheryl Renee will present a two-day Musical Theater Workshop that concentrates on different aspects of vocal stagecraft ranging from audition techniques to full performance of musical theater piece chosen and performed by the student. Classwork will include instruction on performance techniques, song and role preparation, visual and vocal expression.

Ages: open

Location: Kihei Charter School

Cost: $25