Summer School Courses - Week 2

Christmas comes early to Dartington! A week dominated by preparation for a performance of Bach’s glorious Christmas Oratorio – with The Dartington Baroque Orchestra on period instruments. We welcome back Stile Antico – many of whom came first as Summer School students. We are delighted to have the much hailed Carducci Quartet at Summer School for the first time, and the week will be rounded off with a Jive Ball.

ONE WEEK COURSES

Choir

Director John Hancorn
Bach Christmas Oratorio (Baerenreiter, sung in German)

The choral concert this week will be dedicated to the memory of Ewen Balfour.

Vocal Ensembles

Directors Stile Antico

Stile Antico will lead a madrigal course looking at the Triumphs of Oriana. Thought to have been dedicated to Queen Elizabeth I, this collection, compiled by Thomas Morley in 1601, comprises 25 madrigals by 23 English composers. Some of the collection will be familiar through the Oxford Book of English Madrigals, but an edition of some of the less well-known contributions will be available to buy at the beginning of the week. All are welcome to the course, and groups will range from those confident singing one to a part, to larger ensembles. Pre-formed groups are also welcome. Places are limited to 60, so please book early to avoid disappointment.

Orchestral Workshop

Director Leigh O’Hara

The all-comers orchestra will study the music of Bach’s suites and Brandenburg concertos. Players of all levels are welcome.

Chamber Music

Coordinator Mark Smith
Carducci Quartet

There will be two Chamber Music sessions each day: 11.15am-12.45pm and 2.15-3.45pm. Participants may attend both sessions, the morning sessions only, or the afternoon sessions only, but must commit to attending all their chosen sessions. Applications welcome from individuals and pre-formed groups. Individual applicants will be formed into groups on the basis of playing level/experience and repertoire choices. The focus will be on Baroque Chamber Music. There will be informal concerts in which the various ensembles will have the opportunity to present some of the music on which they have been working. Coaching will be provided for all, subject to availability. Places are limited and tend to be filled very quickly so early application is advisable!

Booking will close on 1st May 2009. Please make sure you remember to complete your Chamber Music booking form!

Instrumental & vocal classes

Evelyn Tubb Voice**
Ian Comboy Voice
Mikhail Kazakevich Piano*
Leigh O’Hara Piano
Colin Tilney Harpsichord*
David Titterington Organ*
Michael Fields Lute & Lute song
Walter Reiter Baroque Violin
Matthew Denton & Michelle Fleming Violin (not daily)
Eoin Schmidt-Martin Viola (not daily)
Joseph Crouch Baroque Cello
Lowri Blake Cello
Gail Hennessey Baroque Oboe

* These classes are for advanced participants only
** Entry to this class will be by audition at the start of the week.

Try the Harpsichord

Colin Booth will again this week offer some hands on introductory sessions for pianists interested in trying that exotic beast: the Harpsichord!

Organ and Harpsichord Cross-over course

Directors David Titterington & Colin Tilney

Organists and harpsichordists explore the cross-over between the two instruments. Repertoire will cover:
For harpsichordists:
Fantasias by Byrd and Gibbons. Choose one from each composer.

Byrd.
Fantasia and Prelude in A minor (Musica Britannica MB 27, nos. 12 and 13)
Fantasia in C (MB 28, no. 25)
Fantasia in D minor (MB 28, no. 46)

Gibbons.
Fantasia for Double Organ in D (MB 20, no.7)
Fantasia in G minor (MB 20, no.9)

John Bull
Dances and character pieces.
Choose four, all from MB 19.
Nos. 73; 79; 92; 94; 108; 114; 115; 120; 135; 139

You should have prepared six pieces in all.
For organists:
Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck:
(as published by Breitkopf-edited by Pieter Dirksen)
Prepare three works:
Fantasia chromatica plus free choice
An Echo fantasia
A set of variations on one of the secular songs or dances

Modern Jive Dance

Director Alina Hancorn

Modern Jive is one of the most popular and fast growing partner dance styles, with over 400,000 dancers in the UK alone. This fantastic blend of dance moves is extremely easy to learn and can be danced to a variety of musical styles, from swing and rock-n-roll to Latin and modern chart music. The course is designed for complete beginners and will take you through the most popular moves, stylish combinations and seductive turns, which will be strung together at the end of each class, and which you will be able to “freestyle” by the end of the course. The week will culminate with a ball, so don’t forget your glamourous outfits to dance the night away!

Singer Songwriting

FULL TIME
Director Julian Marshall

This course will cover all aspects of writing songs, including melody, harmony, sequences, lyrics, form, arrangement and production, and will provide plenty of opportunities to workshop ideas. This course is open to all who are interested in beginning or developing their songwriting and performance skills.

Baroque Orchestra

FULL TIME
Directors Walter Reiter & Joseph Crouch

The Baroque Orchestra Course will focus on Bach’s Christmas Oratorio. The course is aimed at music students and professionals e will be playing on period instruments. String players with no prior experience of playing on period instruments are welcome, but will need to bring a period instrument to play on.

Please note the deadline for both bursary and non-bursary students applying for this course is 27 March 2009.

For more information please see page 11.

TWO WEEK COURSES

Early Brass: Trumpets and Trombones

FULL TIME
Directors David Staff & Sue Addison

This week is dedicated to those who are interested in the history, development and playing of the late seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth century trumpet and trombone. Trumpeters will focus on trumpet ensembles, working without vent holes in the morning session and with them in the afternoon. Trombonists will focus on trombone choir music and will have the opportunity to play period instruments encompassing five hundred years of the instrument’s history. It is possible to attend just one or both weeks of this course.

Jazz / Jazz Improvisation

Directors Keith Tippett & Lewis Riley Piano

Course tutors Julie Tippetts Voice, Ben Clark Drums, John Richards Double Bass, Ben Waghorn Saxophone

Please see page 11 for full details.

The second week of a two-week course. It is possible to attend one or both weeks of this course.