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Rosario, Argentina.  Valeria Magliocchetti, a specialist in traditional Basque musical instruments, aims to share and spread her knowledge on the subject.  In order to do this, she has created a traveling workshop on music and instruments of Euskal Herria, an initiative provided to Basque and Navarran clubs, who are interested.  “The concept of 'traveling' is linked to the fact that folks don’t have to travel to take part in the workshop.  I don’t belong to one club, so I travel wherever I am asked and offer a workshop according to the desires and possibilities of each group.  This also determines the frequency of the get-togethers, that is rather flexible,” Valeria explained to EuskalKultura.com.

The workshop is also unique, she says: “It is a Workshop-Ensemble because of the type of workshop it is, or they are group classes where each participant learns to play the instrument that interests him/her.  But the goal is that at the end of the day, all will be able to play together.  Something like a band.  I would also like to clarify that 'ensemble' because I have already conducted some Basque music workshops where each person learns to play an instrument and them it is up to them if they want to play with others or not.  Now, the idea is that from the first moment they learn to play instruments but also thinking about how to play with others, and between them all they can play a song or even accompany the local dancers.  That is why during my latest workshops, we play the songs learned together. “

Underway in three clubs

Until now, the Project “Workshop-Ensemble” has taken place in three clubs: Eusko Kultur Etxea, Centro Navarro in Buenos Aires; and the Eusko Etxea in San Nicolás.

This activity has taken place in the club since 2012 for adults with or without any prior musical knowledge.  The workshop provides the opportunity to learn the txistu, pander, redoblante, txalaparta and alboka.  These take place every other month at Mexico 1880.

[Valeria Magliocchetti teaching a Workshop-Ensemble in Lizarraenea in Buenos Aires.  In the photo, the pandero players along with some of the club alboka players (photo EE)]

In the Navarran club in Buenos Aires, this event also began in 2012, but towards the end of the year.  That is why the second meeting took place on April 20.  The initiative is directed to youth of the clubs to learn how to play txistu, atabal, pander and txalaparta.  Those interested should go to Moreno 3682.

[Youth from the Navarran club in Buenos Aires showing interest in the material.  The next event will take place, normally, in June (photoEE)]

At the Euskal Etxea in San Nicolas, Valeria has been in charge of music and dance workshops since 2011.  The events, for children, youths and adults, will take place at the club on Belgrano 139, the second and fourth Friday of the month.

About the instructor

Valeria began her training at the Centro Navarro in Rosario.  There she learned dances and the first notes that she played on the txistu.  She became a dancer and a txistulari and in 2008 she traveled to the Basque Country, as part of Gaztemundu, a program for musicians where she was able to complete her training on traditional Basque instruments such as the txirula, txalaparta, pandero, alboka, atabala and danbolina.  Since then, she has been the coordinator of music and dance workshops there as well as at the Zazpirak Bat club in Rosario.

Valeria is a national master of music who specialized in the piano, and is part of the Provincial School of Music in Rosario.  She is also a psychologist, at the National University in Rosario, where she is part not only of the world of teaching but also in that of interdisciplinary therapies.

To inform more people of the opportunity, Valeria has also created a website that also functions as a way to contact her.  To see her site, click here.  You can also find her on Facebook as Valeria Magliocchetti or contact her via email: valeizar@hotmail.com.