Pianist magazine subscribers take part in first-ever Christopher Norton workshop!

The evening started out by composer, arranger, educationalist and producer Christopher Norton (of Microjazz fame) asking the audience why they might wish to play pieces in a more pop or modern style, rather than the 'usual' classical. Then Norton guided the audience through some quite easy harmonies (using two members of the audience as guinea pigs - they were great though), and then progressing through to seventh chords, ninth chords, even the odd eleventh and thirteenth chord. It was amazing to find that when one heard a thirteenth chord, how close it sounded to the music of Debussy and Ravel! All the chords were played in various inversions too. The audience were allowed to place their questions at any time. It was a relaxed but engaging experience with many an attendee picking up some of Norton's publications before leaving.

Pianist editor Erica Worth (pictured with Norton) introduced the evening, saying a warm hello to subscribers and Norton, and she was accompanied by Pianist publisher Janet Davison and marketing manager Lauren Roberts. Schott Music were kind enough to host the event and offered drinks beforehand. The venue was perfect for the event - cosy and intimate, but still elegant. And how nice to be surrounded by all the Schott Music and Boosey & Hawkes publications!

The Pianist team were thrilled to meet so many keen subscribers - some who have been reading Pianist since the first issue (that's ten years ago). This was the first event of its kind and proved so succesful that Pianist - along with Schott Music and Christopher Norton - is already planning the next. So subscribe to our free newsletter (look at the top bar on the Pianist website, and you'll see the word 'Register'. It will only take a couple of minutes to register) so that you can get to hear about these events before the rest of the world does.

Some more pictures from the event: