Beginners’ Course
Your journey into the world of Brazilian music starts here
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10 dedicated classes on Tuesday Evenings
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A Wednesday evening with the Olá Samba Bateria
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Extensive online resources
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Professional tuition and helpers from the Bateria
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Friendly group, pub socials
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An introduction to a whole new world of culture and music
Limited Places - Put your name down here! -
Limited Places - Put your name down here! -
FAQ
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This is the main route in. It’s the best way to build up a foundation and introduction to the type of music we play in the Bateria, helping with initial steep learning curve.
If you are a confident, experienced musician and can’t wait to get going, it might work for you to jump straight in with rehearsals. Get in touch to find out what might work best for you.
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The Silver Sambistas has its own short waiting list. The Course is not necessary to join there but it can be a good way in to that group too.
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We aim to run one Beginners’ Course per year. Put your name down to be first in line for the next one!
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We never want cost to be a barrier, so if money might be a reason you can’t sign up, speak to us for a concessionary rate.
As a guide, the previous courses have costed £120 and £140 for the whole thing - over 20 hours of contact time, all equipment, and online resources between classes.
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As much as we’d love to say yes to everybody, in reality there are only so many places we can offer in the Bateria. The priority is to keep every rehearsal a positive, productive experience for everyone.
At the end of the course, those who are keen to throw themselves into the Bateria are considered alongside each other. If necessary, places will be allocated on the basis of how well David thinks each person will fit into the group, on the grounds of ability, commitment to learning, availability, versatility, sociability and course progress.
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If you’re a confident musician, in this style or otherwise, it can sometimes make sense to jump straight into the Bateria without the Beginners’ course.
That’s not to say the Course wouldn’t be good for you though! Get in touch to see what might be best for you.
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Absolutely. Many of the instruments we play are accessible for wheelchair users and we are open to all. Of course, you may have to miss out on some of the choreography, but this will be only part of what’s on offer.
Best just drop a line when you sign up to double check the wheelchair access for a particular venue.
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The Beginners’ Course is held on Tuesday nights in Cheltenham, with some time on Wednesday nights with the Bateria.
We run the course around once per year (usually during Winter) for around 11 weeks.
Testimonials from Beginners’ Course participants
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