Bandoneon International | Ruth Rozelaar

Join us for the

8th International Bandoneon Days

The Topics:

1) How do I play A La Parrilla together with another person?

What are the modules I need to make music with another person? Using two characteristically different leadsheets, we will outline how to create a colourful interplay in the simplest possible way. For example, we will look at how small intros can be created, when and how you can change function, i.e. from accompaniment to melody and vice versa, which small "answers" can be given to phrases, how to intersperse small solos in between... In other words, the small building blocks that can be useful when playing together.

For this part of the workshops, Rocco will provide several small practice units in advance of the weekend.

2) A La Parrilla Practica

In the run up to the weekend, and during the weekend, Ruth will provide material in small, bite-sized units to practice fluidity away from looking at sheet music. Upon booking a place, participants will receive access to weekly practice material as well as a link to our new practice app, free of charge.

3) The study of arrangements

We will take some time to study and play a Bach Choral and a Tango, both arranged for 4 parts.

Upon booking a place, participants will receive all the sheet music required for the weekend.

The Timetable:

The Sessions

🔸INSTRUMENT ASSESSMENT (3 hours in total)

Learn to make minor repairs by yourself! come with your instrument and Rocco will help you to fix your instrument.

🔸ROCCO'S WORKSHOPS (10hours in total)

The time in Rocco's workskhops will be divided between working with leadsheets and studying an arrangement in 4 parts. Sheet music will be available in advance for all workshops.

🔸SMALL GROUP PLAY (6 hours in total)

The timetable has slots dedicated to playing in smaller groups. Some material can be made available in advance from the archive, or you can bring your own pieces to suggest to the ensemble. These groups are peer-led and optional.

🔸RUTH'S PRACTICA (3 x 30minutes)

This year, Ruth will offer 3 short practicas in which she will share some simple and effective practices that prepare us for playing chords A la Parrilla. For those who would like to start practicing as soon as they have booked, you will receive access to our new practice app, free of charge, as well as regular bite-sized suggestions for a playful practice of the basics needed for A La Parrilla chords.

🔸EVENING SESSIONS (2 Sessions)

A convivial sharing of music and hanging out with each other, playing music for and with each other. Family and friends are invited to bring their instruments and join in, or come and just listen. This is an ideal opportunity to practise your A La Parrilla skills!

🔸INFORMAL PERFORMANCE

On the last morning, we will all gather for an informal "performance" to play through the pieces we have worked on during the weekend. We usually have a small, supportive audience of family members, friends and local visitors.

Bandoneon Days

Prices 2025

Bandoneon Workshops Ticket: Everything that's blue on the timetable (21.5hours in total) € 300

Weekend-ticket for Family/Friends (per person) € 80

Food & Accommodation:

Food and accommodation single bed room (3 nights) € 85 per night

Food and accommodation in shared rooms (3 nights) € 70 per night

Food & Stay overnight in your Campervan €60 per night

For those who stay overnight externally €50 per day

(covering food and your presence at the location during the day)

About Rocco Heins

Rocco Heins, born in Germany, is one of Europe's best-known bandoneonists and is renowned for his virtuoso and expressive playing.

Over the past decades, he has thrilled audiences in various formations - whether in concert halls, on theater stages or at street festivals. Rocco can also draw on a rich solo repertoire ranging from tango argentino to folklore and classical music.

Rocco Heins, born in Schleswig-Holstein in 1963, was five years old when he first became aware of the bandoneon - his father had given it to him. However, he only really discovered this special instrument at the age of 15. He was taken with the music of a street performer who played a hand harmonica.

Rocco has been working as a professional musician for 40 years. Initially mainly on the road in Hamburg, he soon played on many stages around the world - particularly often in Argentina and many major European cities. It was not unusual for him to play up to 100 concerts a year. For four years alone, he toured the world as a member of the Sexteto Canyengue, which also performed with tango orchestras from Buenos Aires.

Rocco gave a longer guest performance at the Burgtheater in Vienna. He worked there as a permanent member of the ensemble under the direction of the then head dramaturge Andrea Breth. On the occasion of Günter Grass' 80th birthday, he also performed at the Stadttheater Lübeck, with which he is still associated today through guest appearances and his own productions.