Weatherford College hosted the first Root Music Workshop for local musicians of all ages and abilities on Friday at the Alkek Fine Arts Center.
For the first time, Weatherford College hosted the Root Music Workshop for local musicians of all ages and abilities on Friday at the Alkek Fine Arts Center.
Musicians participated in workshops to study harmony, melody, rhythm and lyrics and explored genres like jazz and blues. The classes brought together groups of students to play a short piece of music with their various instruments while instructors gave guidance.
The day of classes ended with a concert.
The workshop was run by WC Dean of Fine Arts and drummer Duane Durrett, bassist Lou Harlas, saxophonist John Petrucelli and pianist and WC alumnus Fredrick Sanders. They all have taught music at the collegiate level and have extensive performing experiences.
Before the workshops started, Sanders lectured on the music fundamentals such as melody, pulse, harmony, lyrics and rhythm.
“My goal is to take the skills that I’ve been given and that I’ve learned and share them with the world around me,” Sanders said.
One of the goals he set for students is for them to rediscover the musical genre blues, and he encouraged them to respect a variety of musical genres.
“We’re bridging gaps, guys,” Sanders said. “I don’t want you to feel like ‘classical is better than blues or pop.’ No, music is not biased, people are.”
Durrett also talked about the need for appreciation of all music.
“I never want to hear somebody say, ‘I hate that stuff,’” Durrett said. “No, you don’t, you just haven’t listened to it enough.”
University of North Texas student Noah Hogan attended the workshop and played drums and trombone in the first session.
“It’s really cool it’s happening here, and I’m really enjoying it,” Hogan said after the first session.