Training Camp boosts preparation for competition
The party kicks off on Wednesday 6 September at the High Altitude Training Camp, which will this year be held in the scenic Hietasaaren Veljeskoti. At the Camp, the semi-absurd phenomenon will be approached through cheerful and more than slightly tongue-in-cheek methods, and the Camp guides both starters and veterans to the bare bones of air guitaring. The lectures concentrate on the history of the sport, choreography learning, instrument maintenance, not forgetting the basics of endurance training, proper dedication to the art of air guitaring and lessons by some learned experts of the field.
The Camp continues till Thursday 7 September, and air guitarists will have the opportunity to build their own music videos in a 3D studio. NOTE: Only the ten first air guitarists to enrol for the Camp can be admitted to the studio to create music videos of their own.
The closing date for enrolment is 25 August 2006. The AGWC Entry Form can be downloaded here.
Camp Schedule
Wednesday September 6
11 a.m. Transportation to Hietasaaren Veljeskoti/the Camp from Youth and Culture Centre NUKU, Hallituskatu 7.
12 a.m. - 1 p.m. Principles and Philosophy of AGWC & Healing Power of Music
The swami of the air guitar and a long-time though now former producer of the competition, Marika Lamberg, introduces you to the principles and the philosophy behind the Air Guitar World Championships. Lamberg's lecture is a concise overview of the pacifism and the philosophy of the competition.
Creative Director of the CTL Music Research Centre Milton Mermikides follows up Lamberg's presentation with a lesson on the importance of positive thinking and the healing power of music. Mermikides was diagnosed with leukaemia (acute lymphoblastic leukaemia) in 2004 but decided to fight back against his condition with optimism, writing about his experiences on his own web site. You can read the story that inspired thousands of people at www.miltcentral.com. Mermikides works as Professor of Guitar, Royal College of Music and Director of the Creative Technology Lab, Royal Academy of Music.
1 p.m. - 1.30 p.m. How to Maintain Your Instrument
Dancer Paula Keränen helps air guitarists to understand the basics of the service and maintenance of their most important instrument, the body. During the lecture, stretching, muscle warm-up and body control from the air guitarist's point of view will be gone through.
1.30 p.m. - 2.30 p.m. Building Up Your (Advanced) Choreography
Dancer-choreographer Teemu Tuohimaa opens air guitarists' minds to new kinds of stage choreography and instructs how to bring some spectacular flair into time-worn moves. Forget moshing your hair in a bore of a stance - be fresh! The lecturer also shares some useful tips for creating captivating choreography.
2.30 p.m. - 3 p.m. Snack Time: Grillin' & Chillin'
3 p.m. Tips and Training of the Ex-Champ
Hey you novices, the Air Guitar World Champion of 2005, Michael "The Destroyer" Heffels, is here to prepare you for the stage and stardom! This is a unique chance to gain much-needed first-hand experience of air guitarring under the gentle supervision of the master himself.
4 p.m. Persistence in Air Guitar
A journalist and the US runner-up air guitarist, Dan "Björn Turoque" Crane talks about how persistence and devotion are integral to making it big in the air guitar business. The lecture is partly based on Crane's new book, "To Air Is Human: One Man's Quest to Become the World's Greatest Air Guitarist."
5 p.m. Onto The Stage: Finalizing Your Performance
From Oulu City Theatre, actor Janne Raudaskoski puts the finishing touches to the air guitarists' performances and helps to relieve performance anxiety mostly through improvisation exercises. How to put your soul into the music, to stay calm under nerve-wracking pressure and to win over the judges? The workshop provides the answers to these questions.
7 p.m. The Air Guitar Written Exam
7.30 p.m. End of the Day 1: Dinner and Getting Ready for Sauna
Thursday September 7
8 a.m. Breakfast
9 a.m. Transportation from Hietasaari to Oulu University of Applied Sciences:
10 a.m. Music Video Workshop in a 3D studio. NOTE! Only ten first air guitarists to enrol qualify.
1 p.m. Transportation to Youth and Culture Centre NUKU
The participation fee for the Camp is 75 euros and entitles you to access to lectures and practise sessions, accommodation, sauna, meals and the final exam.
