Week 5 Courses, 18-25 August 2012

Wind, brass and percussion all come together in this final week with the return of the immensely popular Gallimaufry Ensemble, a huge orchestral workshop project directed by Stephen Dummer, the Tea Dance Band, Salsa Band and a new Salsa Dance course. Barrie Gavin is here for part of this week (and some of week 4) sharing with us more of his incredible films and anecdotes. Both Finding your Voice; a new course with Jessica Cash aimed at improving your singing and Richard Benjafield’s African Drumming course are open to all. Pierre-André Valade coaches the final week of the Advanced Conducting course, oboist Nicholas Daniel returns and James Gilchrist teaches here for the first time: Opportunities for both advanced students and observers not to be missed!

One Week Courses

Choir

Director David Angus
Dvorák Stabat Mater
(Novello NOV 072503 ed. Pilkington)

Orchestral Workshop

Director Stephen Dummer
The Orchestral Workshop this week will study Nielsen 2nd Symphony continuing our focus on Percy Grainger, a selection of his shorter pieces – Shepherd’s Hey, Early One Morning, Mock Morris and others, some of which will be performed in a Grainger concert at the end of the week.

Chamber Music

Coordinator Barbara Sue White with Quatuor Diotima. See week 4 for course description.

Wind Chamber Music

Directors Gallimaufry Ensemble
Players will be put into wind ensembles of a similar standard each day, from trios to 13-wind, covering a wide range of repertoire and working on all aspects of chamber music, such as ensemble, intonation, leading and following, balance and musical interpretation.

The course is open to flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons and horns from Grade 3 to diploma, with coaching every day from the five members of the Gallimaufry Ensemble. Pre-formed wind ensembles are also invited to apply and will be given the opportunity to spend the week working intensively together with coaching.

Instrumental and Vocal Masterclasses and Workshops

Lee Bisset voice
James Gilchrist voice*
Martino Tirimo piano*
Ian Brown piano
Alexandra Wood violin
Adrian Bradbury cello
Louisa Sparks flute
Nicholas Daniel oboe*
Holly Randall oboe
David Campbell clarinet*
Peter Sparks clarinet
Shelly Organ bassoon
Alexia Cammish french horn
Anthony Halstead french horn*
Paul Archibald trumpet
Graham Lee trombone
Richard Benjafield percussion*

Chamber Choir

Director Peter Selwyn
This week’s chamber choir will study Messiaen O Sacrum Convivium, Ravel Trois Chansons, Debussy Trois Chansons de Charles d’Orléans and the 1970 Summer School commissioned John Tavener Nomine Jesu.

The music for this course is demanding and there is a lot to cover in a short rehearsal time before the concert so is suited to experienced singers who are confident sight readers or quick learners. Auditions will be held on the first day straight after choir, after which there will be time to buy the music before the first class in the afternoon.

Tea Dance Band

Director Stephen Dummer
A tea-time rehearsal slot for the tea dance band. Every afternoon, a warm invitation is extended to all instrumentalists to join the Tea-Dance band. The course will concentrate on rehearsing popular light music which will form the soundtrack for Dartington’s legendary end-of-week Tea Dance.

Brass Ensemble

Directors Paul Archibald and Graham Lee
The course will look at a range of repertoire for brass and timpani by Richard Strauss including Festmusik der Stadt Wien, Wiener Philharmoniker Fanfare and Feierlicher Einzug.

African Drumming+

Director Richard Benjafield
This course will explore traditional drum rhythms from Ghana and Senegal, both hand drumming and sticks. No previous experience necessary (although useful), just enthusiasm!

Finding Your Voice+

Director Jessica Cash
A course for singers who truly want to express themselves through their voice. Working with the group as a whole Jessica will identify and address common issues around the body, flow of energy and tension. Participants will be encouraged to understand singing as a mental, spiritual, emotional and physical activity. The aim of the course is for everyone to improve their knowledge and love of singing.

Salsa Band and Salsa Dance

Director João Bosco de Oliveira
The Salsa Band is open to all instrumentalists of Grade 5 and above, with some spaces for singers. The course will take a riotous tour through the many aspects of Salsa, a musical style popular all over Latin America, the United States and of course Cuba, the place where it sprang from. Participants will learn a host of salsa standards, and will be putting their new found skills to use at the end of the week when they play for the Salsa Ball. There will also be a Salsa dance course to accompany this class.

Two Week Course

Advanced Composition**

FULL TIME
Director Detlev Glanert
The second week of a two-week course. Please note that entry to this course is subject to a process of application. Click here for details.
Closing date for applications: 16 March

Three Week Course

Advanced Conducting**

FULL TIME
Director Ilan Volkov (Week 3)
Nicholas Kraemer (Week 4)
Pierre-André Valade (Week 5)
This week is directed by Pierre-André Valade. This is the third week of a three-week course. Please note that entry to this course is subject to a process of application and audition. Click here for details.
Closing date for applications: 16 March

+ These courses are suitable for those with little or no musical experience.
* These classes are for advanced participants only.
** These courses are for advanced participants only and entry is subject to an application process. Click here for details.