Students given rare taste of the blues

The group taking part in the masterclass were given tips and tricks from those in the know.

A group of Rotorua youngsters have had a taste of the blues.

The youth work done by the BOP Blues Club is one of the strong features of the Rotorua Blues Festival and this year was no different. The festival featured two specific youth events - a youth workshop and a master class.

BOP Blues Club spokeswoman Sally Garner said the events were open to school music students and attracted a keen following.

The masterclass saw a bunch of enthusiastic participants hosted by the two international acts heading the festival, Andy Philips and Shaun Kirk, with guitar tutor Rob Powley, and club vice-president Warren Houston.

Participants took along their own acoustic instruments and were given tips and tricks by the masters, she said.

The Friday schools workshop was hosted by Philips of Cadillac Walk from Melbourne, and Ralph Bennett-Eades from Motueka. The session was a general introduction to blues styles and forms.

Ms Garner said the purpose of the youth events was to raise awareness of blues as a musical genre, and to interest young musicians in its form and styles. Introducing them to the headline acts is a thrill for all the participants, many of whom may have never met a live performing musician before.

As part of the festival, the BOP Blues Club's youth band made their debut, playing five songs on the festival main stage.