Ok, so firstly I must do the apologies for not updating the blog for the last 4 months. Disgraceful! In my defence, we have been frantically busy with the expansion and development of WEK, WEK: Training, Workshops, Events and not to mention the new WEK: Online section - more on that in a minute.
The main WEK's are gearing up towards our April 09 Review which is shaping up very nicely. This features some really challenging stuff. Material includes All 4 One, Newsies, Forbidden Broadway, Grand Hotel, Welcome To The 60's and other high energy pieces. There is method in our torture however!
May - July is set to be the busiest period in terms of performances that we have ever had. Performances are scheduled for West End Live 09, Dreamflight, MADD Festival in addition to our own review. This is going to require some serious fitness and stamina not to mention solid vocal technique - and that's before you even get to the most important elements of performance, i.e. - story telling and connection with your audience! So we have really focussed on material that requires lots of energy. Big, long production numbers with plenty of demanding choreography, vocal range and physical fitness. I think all the WEK's are having fun with it, although I think they will all testify that it is currently very hard work!
The WEK: Training groups are growing and expanding nicely, we hope to move a number of them up to the main WEK for next term. The 2 WEK: Training groups (seniors and juniors) tend to focus more on attributes and skills, these being fitness, strength, vocal technique, and of course - the all important telling of a story. Once we feel that they can maintain these qualities at a level high enough for main WEK, then we move them on up. WEK: Training rehearses on Saturday's and they are working really hard.
WEK: Online has been a major project for us, with the creation of a whole new online community for young performers and their parents. We very much hope to grow this to cater for all the young performers within the UK. I've personally put a great deal of time and effort into this, with it taking around 3 months to complete on and off.
The WEK: Online section features articles, podcasts (from yours truly, oo-er!!), videologs, ear training, games and even a section where you can upload clips of your singing or performing for us to evaluate and provide feedback on. As far as I know, this is a first, nobody else is doing that. There is also a forum, which I hope lots of people will participate in and plenty of other bits and bobs.
You can register for WEK: Online free and be in within a minute. Just go to the main website and follow the links for WEK: Online.
On a personal note - I have now moved back down to the London area (again) from my hometown in North Wales. I think the weekly 300 mile commute got the better of me after 4 years. This is however allowing me to fit in more Skype lessons for the WEK's and also work on a number of new and exciting WEK projects that we hope to announce very soon.
Friday's is now a dedicated "website" day, so we will be updating the WEK: Online, News and Blog sections each Friday from here on in, so please come back regularly to read the latest news and to hear more of my innate ramblings!
Speak soon,
Martin.
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