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Visitors young and old unleashed their inner musician this week as Maidenhead Festival kicked off its new programme of summer activities.
Last year, the team behind the festival announced that it would be ending the two-day event which took place each year in Kidwells Park and replacing it with smaller but more frequent community events.
The festival’s free SoundLab event kicked off in the Nicholsons Centre on Tuesday with the aim of bringing ‘every bit of the community together’ to either try a new instrument or showcase their skills.
The team has collaborated with Dawkes Music, Pianoz and Berkshire Music Trust on the event, which took place on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and provided an opportunity for budding musicians of all ages to try musical instruments, including pianos, trumpets, clarinets, saxophones and ukuleles.
On Tuesday, Dawkes Music was on hand to show people how to use a range of brass instruments.
Festival chairman Lisa Hunter, said: “We also had the piano, which has been kindly donated by Pianoz on [Maidenhead High Street].
“People have been coming down and tinkling the keys and it’s been phenomenal, [the] performances we’ve had.”
On Wednesday, the team hosted a session inspired by Channel 4’s The Piano, which featured participants ranging from 10 to 93-year-old Henry Harris.
“Some of the stories they tell are amazing, for example the 93-year-old was evacuated during the Second World War,” said Lisa.
“The family he went to played the piano [and] they taught him how to play it and he’s taken it through for the rest of his life which is really sweet.”
Some of those joining to play the piano included Alfie O’Callaghan, 10, Esther Fernando, 13, Theo Peretz, 11, and Emily Martin, eight.
Monkey Music was also on hand to conduct music sessions for children under the age of five.
Another key highlight from the day saw families enjoy a hands-on ukulele workshop led by Tabitha Beavan of the Power of Uke.
On Thursday, Berkshire Music Trust brought along a range of instruments for people to try, including an Cosmo Switch, which is part of the trust’s Accessible Musical Instrument library.
“It really is ticking every box and just bringing the beautiful sound of music to everybody, because music really does connect everybody,” said Lisa.
“It’s just a lovely way to launch the new Maidenhead Festival series of events this year because there’s a lot going on.”
Continuing the fun on Sunday, Maidenhead Festival will be hosting its second summer event – Live at the Amphitheatre.
The free celebration of young musical talent will take place at the open-air venue in St Ives Road from 2pm.
Students from Shining Star Productions Arts School will be captivating guests with a musical medley of hits from shows such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Mean Girls and many more.
Lisa said: “We are delighted to be helping showcase the talent at Shining Star in such a wonderful location in the town centre.
“Town centre business Rio Deli is also celebrating the fifth anniversary of opening at the library and to mark this it is giving out vouchers to 200 lucky people to enjoy a free hot drink on the same day.
“Live at the Amphitheatre perfectly embodies what Maidenhead Festival is all about: events for the community, making connections and celebrating creativity and grassroots arts in our town.”
“This vibrant showcase of tomorrow’s stars promises an uplifting afternoon for the whole family. Grab a picnic blanket, bring your friends, and soak up the atmosphere. There’s no need to book – just turn up and enjoy the show.”
For more information, visit: www.mheadfestival.weebly.com/live-in-the-amphitheatre.html
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