“UK-born Pritam Singh is one of the most talented and versatile tabla players of his generation”
ROSS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL
Pritam Singh – Artistic Profile
A professional musician with over 30 years experience
Pritam is the leading disciple of Sri Ajit Singh Mutalshi and has also studied with the great late, Ustad Allah Rakha Khan of Punjab Gharana and continues his learning with Pt. Anindo Chatterjee of Farukhabad Gharana.
As a professional musician, Pritam has over 30 years of experience in the music industry and has taught thousands of students all over the globe: through performances, workshops, seminars and classes to infants through to Post Graduates, including teacher training courses.
Pritam has worked with a number of major organisations and is an experienced Project Manager, Fundraiser and Programme Manager having organised a number of large-scale open air events.
He has accompanied and recorded with an array of master musicians: touring extensively through the 90s with sitar maestro Pt. Shalil Shankar, a senior disciple of the legendary Pt. Ravi Shankar and part of the Nitin Sawhney trio.Pritam has worked on projects with The Royal Shakespeare Company, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Birmingham Opera, Akram Khan, Nahid Siddqui, Birmingham Music Conservatoire and West Midlands Music Services. Pritam has composed music for many artists including radio and television and has received numerous accolades for his work.
Pritam holds a Post Graduate Degree in Philosophy (University of Birmingham) and two Masters Degrees: in Indian classical vocal and percussion, both 1st class with honors with Ravi Music College an affiliate of Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh University – Punjab.
“Indeed whosoever endorses – east is east … and twain can’t meet, better take a look at Pritam. Very Indian in ethos and essence; very global in perspective. Resolute in his belief; music can’t afford to be insular. Fusion isn’t the right word, meeting of minds”
HINDUSTAN TIMES
Education workshops
Pritam Singh is an internationally acclaimed master musician with numerous accolades and awards for his work as an educator and performer. Pritam works closely with Education Institutes and Local Authorities across the UK. He is an experienced and leading workshop facilitator, teacher, examiner and music consultant.
The workshops are interactive and cover all aspects of Indian music including demonstrations on the various percussion instruments and singing with the Harmonium. Both pupils and staff are encouraged to participate during the workshop sessions.
Introductory/Discovery sessions
Number of students: up to 30 or 1 class
Duration: up to 1 hour per session or 5 x 40mins sessions in one school day
Objectives
Explain the origins of Indian music; demonstrate the ancient, folk and modern drumming styles on various drums used in Indian music. Teach basic counting technique and divisions of Taal. The Harmonium is used to demonstrate Indian scales, Raaga. A brief and precise explanation of this ancient art is fascinating concluding with all participants singing an Indian Raaga.
Outcomes
Using teamwork in a positive environment, basic fundamentals of music and composition are understood. Participants are given an opportunity to play the instruments. Gain an insight to the cultural and traditional diversity of Indian music, through an enjoyable, interactive and informative workshop.
Residential workshop
Number of students: up to 30 or 1 class
Duration: 3 to 5 days continuous or 1 day/evening a week for 6 to 8 weeks
Objectives
Explain the origins of Indian drumming traditions and highlight the progression from Ancient to the Modern period. Pritam teaches the participants the various playing techniques on different drums of India. The participants are encouraged to create a performance piece using the elements taught by Pritam.
Outcomes
Using teamwork in a positive environment, a more comprehensive music piece is created. Creativity and performance skills are developed. This gives the participants a more in-depth understanding of the music tradition, cultural and traditional diversity of India, and looks at the development of Indian Music through an enjoyable, interactive and informative workshop.
Fundamentals of North Indian Classical Music
1. Teacher Training course
(A one-day course aimed at Music teachers in secondary schools teaching GCSE music)
This is an over all view of North Indian classical music covering the various elements of classical learning in: vocal, instrumental and percussion. An insight in to Raaga: scales rules and movement, composition types and the distinct elements of improvisation.
2. Music Degree course module
The weekly 90 minutes sessions focus on the fundamental elements of Indian music: a series of topics with theoretical and practical sessions leading to a performance by the students. The aim is for students to gain a better understanding of the different elements in an Indian classical piece and being able to implement these in their own compositional work.
Other services
Corporate
Pritam offers arrange of diverse workshops or performances for company seminars, AGM’s, team building and away days. Here, an interactive performance is followed by workshops which develop team building skills through participation.
Consultancy
A range of consultation sessions can be arranged to discuss strategies of developing Indian music courses in education. Design coursework, examinations, external examiner are all part of developing and improving the quality and standard of teaching practise.
Through these workshops we have discovered that it helps participants improve concentration, alertness and coordination. The workshops are also designed to give the children an opportunity to learn and share in other cultures and traditions. Working in a group environment has a positive result, which helps boost self-esteem and confidence.
Please view more information below on our workshops and requirements. If there are any questions you may have, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will do our very best to cater for your individual needs.
Assemblies
Number of students: N/A
Duration: up to 45mins
Objectives
Explain the origins of Indian music; demonstrate the Ancient, folk and modern drumming styles on various drums used in Indian music. An inspiring demonstration on the Tabla is given by Pritam with explanation of reciting, developing each finger and counting patterns. Rhythmic games are an interactive element clapping a rhythm whilst reciting Tabla compositions. The Harmonium is used to demonstrate Indian scales, Raaga. A brief and precise explanation of this ancient art is fascinating. Concluding with all participants singing an Indian Raaga Both pupils and staff are involved with the demonstration.
Outcomes
Using teamwork in a positive environment, a more comprehensive music piece is created. Creativity and performance skills are developed. This gives the participants a more in-depth understanding of the music tradition, cultural and traditional diversity of India, and looks at the development of Indian Music through an enjoyable, interactive and informative workshop.
Tabla Tutor course
Number of students: up to 6 in 1 group
Duration: 20 minutes weekly sessions
Up to 8 sessions in 1 day for 6 to 8 weeks
Objectives
To follow a introductory course to Tabla playing, a uniquely designed Tabla Manual, written by Pritam. Weekly exercises, learning to read and play Indian notation. Learning various composition types in a natural progression to a performance of completion. To inspire and introduce an ancient drumming tradition to non-ethnic origin proving music is a Universal language.
Outcomes
By learning this new art form, coordination skills are improved as well as learning to multi-task. Discipline and concentration are key elements improved through the course. Creativity and performance skills are developed. This gives the participants a more in-depth understanding of the music tradition, cultural and traditional diversity of India, and looks at the development of Indian Music through an enjoyable, learning course. Develops confidence and awareness of cultural diversity.
GCSE music workshop
This is specifically for GCSE music students. The workshop is engaging, participatory, practical, informative and a fun session, having a try on the different instruments. They will be given an ‘easy to understand’ concise handout covering all aspects of the set syllabus by OCR and Edexcel. The session will help students to gain a better understanding of Indian music.
‘Train-the-Trainer’ and ‘Mentoring’
Here we offer ‘Train-the-Trainer’ and ‘Mentoring’ sessions, giving guidance and advice to teachers and artists who wish to take up, or are already delivering specialised workshops.
Lectures
Lectures for exam students are tailor made which follow the national curriculum. These are available to GCSE students through to Post-Graduate academics. Lectures include:
• The Evolution of Eastern Drumming Traditions
• The History of Indian Music
• Music and Spirituality
Consultancy
- Strategic development of cross-cultural music projects
- Teacher training courses
- Creative teaching methods
- GCSE music curriculum – Indian music
Project Management
- Organising events
- Community cross-culture events
- Schools projects
- Festivals
- Outdoor music events/festivals
- Mela
- Indian cultural festival
School of Indian Classical Music
Tuition in Indian vocal and tabla
SKYPE 1-2-1 tuition (T&Cs apply).
Classes and 1-2-1 tuition.
• Vocal: Dhrupad, Khayal, Ghazal and Geet; Devotional: Bhajan and kirtan
• Tabla: beginners, intermediate and advance level
Gurmat Sangeet School
An affiliate of Patiala University, Punjab, India.
Patiala University – Gurmat Sangeet Department syllabus
Kirtan – classical tradition of tabla and singing Shabad – Gurbani
Practical and theoretical exam courses.
Weekly sessions:
• Beginners: 2 years – Junior Diploma
• Intermediate: 3 years – Senior Diploma
• Advanced: 3 years – Bachelors Degree
• Post Graduate: 3 years – Masters Degree
Products
Tabla Tutor
Encouraging the young performer
A comprehensive manual with DVD for tabla students.
UK and Europe: £39.95 (plus £12 P&P)
Inspirational Vibes (DVD)
UK and Europe: £9.99 (plus £7 P&P)
