Advanced courses

Dartington prides itself on offering intensive, high-quality residential training for music students and those on the threshold of their professional careers.

Instrumental and Vocal Classes

Weeks 1/2/3/4/5

Some of our instrumental and vocal classes are aimed specifically at advanced level students, or those of diploma standard and higher. These are marked with a * in the brochure. Other classes are subject to an application process, and are marked **. These include:
Dame Emma Kirkby – voice, week 1
David Titterington – organ, weeks 2 & 3
Karine Georgian – cello, weeks 3 & 4
Closing date for applications: 9th April 2010

Baroque Orchestra

Weeks 1 & 2

The Baroque Orchestra course runs for two intensive weeks and is full time. The course offers expert tutelage from some of Europe’s leading period instrument players, as well as baroque dance instruction (week 1 only), and is aimed at advanced student and emerging professional musicians. The Baroque Orchestra is a period instrument group, and accompanies the main Summer School choir for the final performance of each week. Some beginners on period instruments may be accepted on the basis of their CV. We prefer students to attend both weeks, but will consider applications for one week only.
Closing date for applications: 16th April 2010

Advanced Conducting

Weeks 3,4 & 5

This full-time, three week course offers a limited number of places to advanced student and emerging professional conductors. The standard is generally extremely high, and competition for places is fierce. In its history, the course has welcomed many distinguished young professionals, as well as alumni drawn from some of the world’s top conservatoires. Former students include Ilan Volkov, David Angus, Shuntaro Sato, Dominic Wheeler, Paul Goodwin and Piotr Anderszewski. Conductors work intensively on orchestral repertoire with internationally renowned conductor Diego Masson. The course works closely with Advanced Opera participants, and student conductors normally conduct our opera performances. Shortlisted applicants must be available to audition in London in May.
Closing date for applications: 12th March 2010

General Courses

Weeks 3/4/5

Some of our general courses are aimed at advanced or diploma standard players, and offer great opportunities for high-level ensemble playing. These are marked with a * in the brochure. Advanced general courses include Wind-and-Strings Combined Chamber Music (week 3), Advanced Percussion Course (week 4), Advanced Brass Chamber Music (week 5) and Pierrot Lunaire (week 5).You do not have to submit a formal application to take part in these courses.

Advanced Opera

Weeks 4 & 5

The Advanced Opera course is an invaluable opportunity for singers on the threshold of their professional careers. Past participants have been drawn from National Opera Studio, Cardiff International Academy of Voice, The Royal Academy of Music and Conservatorium van Amsterdam amongst others. Students can expect to receive intensive, high-quality training on a major work. This year, Alexander Oliver, Artistic Director of the Dutch National Opera Academy offers specialist coaching on Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro leading to three semi-staged performances with orchestra in the Great Hall. Advanced Opera participants work in close collaboration with Advanced Conductors, and shortlisted applicants must be available to audition in London in May.
Closing date for applications: 12th March 2010

Advanced Composition

Weeks 4 & 5

This two week, full-time course is particularly suited to composition students and young professional composers. There are a limited number of places available, and as with the other advanced courses, the standard is very high. Our record of hosting eminent composers has a most distinguished history Enescu, Stravinsky, Hindemith, Copland, Britten, Babbitt, Lou Harrison, Maderna, Nono, Berio, Feldman and Andriessen can be counted amongst those teaching in the early years of the Summer School. This year, six students will be selected to study with renowned British composer Julian Anderson, himself a past student of the course. The course will comprise a series of group seminars in which composer participants will present their music; Julian Anderson will analyse works by Lachenmann, Knussen, Lindberg, Vivier, Leroux – and by himself. The course will culminate in a concert of works composed during the two weeks.
Closing date for applications: 12th March 2010

Applying for Advanced Courses

Please submit:

• Either a booking form with deposit OR a financial assistance form (click here for details).
• CV, covering letter and tutor’s reference.
• A recording of two contrasting pieces on CD or mp3 (mp3s via email only). Please label clearly and check this plays before you send. If you need your CD returned, enclose a SAE with the correct postage attached. Envelopes with insufficient postage will not be returned.
• Advanced Conducting students need not submit a recording.
• Advanced Composition students must submit two scores, along with corresponding recordings. They need not submit recordings of themselves playing. All applications can be submitted via email or by post. Email applications should comprise as few emails as possible. Postal applications should be sent together in a single envelope to:

The Administrator
Dartington International Summer School
The Barn, Dartington Hall
Totnes, Devon, TQ9 6EL
+44 [0]1803 847083
lisa.buckby@dartington.org
Please note the different closing dates for each course. LATE / INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS, OR RECORDINGS IN AN INCORRECT FORMAT WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED