Catholic Youth Services (CYS) and Gary Pinto teamed up in February, March and May 2011 to offer young people the chance to attend three Music Workshops, each focusing on a different aspect of music ministry: a Master Class Workshop, Song Writing and Production Workshop and a Jam Session.

Master Class Music Workshop

Over 100 young people from the Sydney Archdiocese attended this three hour workshop with Gary Pinto and his band on Saturday 26th February at De La Salle College, Revesby. The workshop was a “Master Class” where young people were taught the secret performance techniques of some of Australia’s finest musicians currently playing in Australia’s hottest bands. These included Michael Dolce on guitar (Delta Goodrem, Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Mica Paris, Voted Top 8 guitarist in the world), Terepai Richmond on drums (The Whitlams), Adm Ventoura on Bass Guitar (Vanessa Amorossi), Beau Golden on Keyboard (Jessica Mauboy, Jade Macrae) and, of course, Gary Pinto on vocals. Towards the end of the workshop participants were treated to a live and exclusive performance by Gary and the band to a selection of songs, including the Bruno Mars hit ‘Just the Way you are’. Some of the feedback received is detailed below.

“Thanks for all your work in organising the Masterclass. Our kids got so much from it - they absolutely loved it”.

-    Youth Ministry Coordinator from Casimir Catholic College, Marrickville

“I just wanted to thank you and your team once again for organising such a FANATSTIC event on Saturday with the music masterclass workshops. We all walked away with so much in terms of how we can improve our own music ministry at our school and within our parishes. Thank you for your involvement in the organisation of such a fantastic initiative for the youth of our parishes and our schools. It was truly a privilege for us all to work with such amazingly talented and esteemed musicians”.

-    Youth Ministry Coordinator from Freeman Catholic College, Bonnyrigg Heights

Song Writing and Production Workshop

The second of three workshops was the Song Writing and Production Workshop held with Gary Pinto on Saturday 12th March at the Australian Catholic University, Strathfield Campus. This workshop provided young people with the opportunity see firsthand how the best in the industry write and produce their music. Gary has written songs for a number of Australian artists including Guy Sebastian, Mr Timothy, Anthony Callea, Christine Anu, Jimmy Barnes, Jade Mcrae, American soul singer Taylor Dane, along with two WYD anthems and the song ‘Saint Mary MacKillop’.

Jam Session

The final music workshop was held with Gary Pinto and the newly formed CYS band, The Revelations, on Saturday 12th March at the Australian Catholic University, Strathfield Campus. The workshop was a four hour jam session where young people gathered to learn new contemporary and uplifting Catholic songs (Gary Pinto, Matt Maher and others). They were then able to return to their parish, groups and movements with these to use for Youth Masses, School Events and Public Performance. The day included a delicious BBQ lunch in the sun and gave attendees the chance to mingle and jam with other young Catholic musicians from Sydney.

One young musician had the following feedback for the session -

“Thanks for the jam session today, Gary, Revelations and CYS! Had heaps of fun and will be watching out for the other sessions next year. Great collab everyone!”

Keep an eye on the CYS website as we will run another series of workshops in 2012.