Summer School Courses - Week 3

The French flavour of this year’s Summer School continues in a more romantic vein, with Gounod’s great Messe Solenelle being sung at Dartington for the first time, together with Ravel’s passionate ballet score for Daphnis and Chloé. Mixed ensemble chamber music, with strings and wind, characterises much of the participatory programme.

ONE WEEK COURSES

Choir

Director Brian Kay
Gounod Messe Solennelle (Novello, sung in Latin)
Ravel Daphnis and Chloé (Durand)
The Ravel performance will be conducted by Diego Masson

Orchestral Workshop

Director Stephen Dummer
The all-comers orchestra will study Cesar Franck’s Symphony in D. Players of all levels are welcome.

Chamber Choir

Directors James Weeks & EXAUDI

The Chamber choir will explore Poulenc Sept Chansons, Messiaen O Sacrum Convivium and other French works.

Chamber Music

Coordinator Mark Smith

Duke Quartet
Arman Trio

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 will be welcome from individuals and pre-formed groups. For individual applicants, groups will be formed on the basis of playing level, experience and repertoire choices. The focus in Week 3 will be on large-scale mixed wind/string ensembles (e.g. Schubert Octet, Beethoven Septet). 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 book early to avoid disappointment.

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

Instrumental & Vocal Classes

Neil Jenkins Voice*
Jessica Cash Voice
Stephen Gutman Piano*
Daniel Adni Piano
David Titterington Organ
Chloë Hanslip Violin
Rivka Golani Viola*
Karine Georgian Cello+
David Kenedy Cello
Peter Buckoke Double Bass
Anna Noakes Flute
Sarah Francis Oboe
Alan Hacker Clarinet
Gerard McChrystal Saxophone
Laurence Perkins Bassoon
Julian Baker Horn
Paul Archibald Trumpet
John Kenny Trombone

* These classes are for advanced participants only.

+ Applications for both bursary and non-bursary students wishing to attend this course must be made by 03 April 2009. Please send an application form, covering letter, CV, recording of your playing, tutor’s reference and a large stamped addressed envelope if you would like your recording returned.

Wind & Strings Combined Chamber music

Directors Laurence Perkins & David Kenedy
Olivier Messiaen: Quatuor pour la fin du temps (clarinet, violin, cello, piano)
Alexandre Tansman: Septuor (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, trumpet, viola, cello)

A chance to explore two masterpieces from the rich and varied repertoire of music for wind and strings. Please note that this is a course for diploma standard players – both these works are rewarding but extremely challenging. Music will be sent out in advance for personal practice, and players will be expected to know their individual parts. Daily tutored sessions will lead to an informal performance at the end of the week. Other mixed ensemble works will be available for general chamber music.

Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Choral Composition

Director James Weeks

Under the guidance of James Weeks, participants will write a short piece to be performed informally at the end of the week by EXAUDI, who will also be available to test material during the writing process. All pieces must be written to texts in French (mediaeval to modern, ‘comme vous voulez’), and participants should arrive with a selection of one or more texts from which to choose (others will be available). Pre-composed pieces will not be eligible for performance at the end of the course. The available forces are 8 solo voices, SSAATTBB.

Writing for Piano: The Art of Transcription & Paraphrase

Director Stephen Gutman & Martin Butler

This course will explore models of transcription, exploring a wide range of techniques used by composers through the ages. We will then use this as a basis for writing new works/transcriptions culminating in an end-of-week concert.

Tango Music and Dance

Directors Laura Hansen & Carlos Morera

Tango is a complex system of concepts, images, sounds, words & practices, some of them ritual ones. It is a unique form of improvisation and expression, and a way to find cultural identity.

The course will include lessons in both music & dance separately. The dance lessons are for beginners and anybody with proper shoes (no rubber soles) is welcome. In the music workshop no previous experience of Tango is necessary but instrumentalists (all strings, flutes and piano) need some sight reading ability to form a Tango Orchestra. Participants should commit for the whole week in order to enjoy the Tango Ball with live orchestra at the end of the course.

Songs from the Shows

Director Robert Purvis

This course, aimed at singers of all abilities and experience, will take a boisterous journey through the world of musical theatre, with songs by great names such as Porter, Loesser, Lerner, and discovering newer shows such as Avenue Q, Hairspray and A New Brain. The course will culminate in a semi-staged showcase with opportunities for solo numbers as well as choruses.

Organ Masterclass

Director David Titterington

The French Romantic Tradition
The following works will be studied:
Cesar Franck Grande Piece Symphonique or one of the three Chorals.
Ch-M Widor Symphony No.5 and the Symphonie Romane (students can offer a complete symphony or selected movements).
Free choice of any other French romantic work by Guilmant, Boellman, Gigout etc.

Theatre Orchestra

Director Robert Purvis

The opportunity to play through show scores with a West End professional is an incredibly valuable experience for budding pit musicians. This course will explore the unique shorthand and signals used, through a variety of well-known scores. All instrumentalists are welcome.

Would you like to play Double Bass?

Director Peter Buckoke & David Kenedy

There will be a number of taster sessions during the week, particularly aimed at cellists, with a view to taking up the double bass. The sessions will include a performance lecture, a ‘try out’ session and a practical workshop. Instruments will be provided and all are welcome.

THREE WEEK COURSE

Advanced Conducting

FULL TIME
Director Diego Masson

This is week one of three and offers a rare opportunity for conductors to work intensively under the direction of internationally renowned conductor, Diego Masson. Six conductors will be chosen to participate in this course.

Applicants must be available for all three weeks.
Please note: this course will finish on Sunday 30 August 2009.

To apply:
If you wish to apply for financial assistance, please fill in a financial assistance form . Otherwise, please complete a booking form
You need only complete one of these forms
Please return it to us along with your CV, a tutor’s reference and a covering letter.
Please note: If shortlisted, you must be available for audition in London in early May. Competition is fierce and places are extremely limited. Applications for this course must reach us by March 16th