Summer School Courses - Week 4

14 August – 21 August

A week with a distinct Viennese flavour concludes with Schubert’s Mass in E flat – led by Bob Chilcott, who will also direct his work on Aesop’s Fables with the chamber choir. The Festival Orchestra perform Schubert’s ‘Great’ C major Symphony plus Berg’s Violin Concerto. Berg’s chamber music and songs will feature across the week.

Julian Anderson begins the two week Advanced Composition course, and we welcome Meredith Monk, the extraordinary composer, singer and dancer to Summer School for the first time – though she came earlier to Dartington to workshop her Songs of Ascension with the Elysian Quartet as part of the TAC programme.

Stephen Montague will be with us for an ‘all Summer School’ participatory experience (who can forget his Apparitions!), whilst the Orchestral Workshop tackles Bruckner’s 8th Symphony – complete with Wagner Tubas. Lighten up with Songs from the Shows – sing, or play in the Theatre Orchestra.

Courses marked with a plus+ are suitable for those with little or no musical experience. Those marked with one asterisk* are for advanced participants only. Those classes marked with two asterisks** are for advanced participants only and are subject to an application process. See Advanced Courses for details.

ONE WEEK COURSES

Choir

Director Bob Chilcott
Schubert Mass in E flat (Edition Peters, sung in Latin)
Brahms Alto Rhapsody (new arrangement for full choir in preparation by Bob Chilcott. Details tbc on our website and in the music lists.)

Orchestral Workshop

Director Richard Heason
Bruckner Symphony no 8
The all-comers orchestra, with coaching from course tutors, will work on Bruckner’s symphonic masterpiece, leading to a performance at the end of the week.

Chamber Choir

Director Bob Chilcott
This course is suitable for keen and able singers, and will explore Schubert’s Gebet and Christ ist erstanden, as well as Chilcott’s Aesop’s Fables, one of which is based on the Schubert song Du bist die Ruh.

Chamber Music

Coordinator Barbara Sue White with the Duke Quartet and Israel Piano Trio
• Any one, at any level, may play in chamber music groups. Ensembles are formed at an initial chamber music meeting and through open sign-ups.
• Players select their own timetable and repertoire. Some people prefer to remain with the same group all week, whilst others participate in a variety of ensembles.
• Bring your own music stand and some chamber music, or borrow music from the Summer School Library.
• Special help is available for those without chamber music experience, and everyone is welcome to join in for the orchestral version of the Mendelssohn Octet, Bach Brandenburgs, and the Brahms Sextet op18. These sessions are led by the resident quartet.
• Coaches are often willing to play and coach from within groups, offering all participants, of every standard, the opportunity to play with professionals. • For pianists who prepare a specific chamber music work, the coordinator will arrange a play-through. Coaching will also be available if desired.

Instrumental and Vocal Classes

Richard Edgar Wilson Voice*
Della Jones Voice
Katharina Wolpe Piano
David Owen Norris Piano
tbc Violin
Rivka Golani Viola*
Karine Georgian Cello**
Peter Buckoke Double Bass
Lynda Coffin Flute
Sarah Francis Oboe
Alan Hacker Clarinet*
Laurence Perkins Bassoon
Gerard McChrystal Saxophone
Julian Baker Horn and Wagner Tuba
(Please note that a set of Wagner Tubas
will be available for use by horn players)
Paul Archibald Trumpet
John Kenny Trombone

Wind Chamber Music

Director Laurence Perkins
Another great week for those who enjoy playing wind chamber music! This course is open to players (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn) from around grade 3 to diploma standard, exploring a wide range of music for small and large ensembles, including some of the wonderful Viennese wind repertoire. Players who sign up for this course will be expected to commit to the allocated session times each day, and will be allocated a group with other players of roughly similar standard, with tutoring in some of the sessions. There will also be opportunities for playing with other chamber groups through the week. Please note that it is not possible to send out music beforehand for this course – parts will be distributed on the Sunday to all players. Please ensure that you are as accurate as possible in your self-assessment of playing standard when applying.

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.

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.

Advanced Percussion Course*

Director Joby Burgess
Aimed at percussionists, as well as kit players looking to broaden their horizons, this course is suitable for music students (either aiming at or currently studying at college/university level) and mature students. The course will focus mainly on ensemble playing, discovering and learning music by Steve Reich, John Cage, Max Roach and Frank Zappa, whilst exploring traditional music, improvisation and many of the technical challenges of percussion playing.

Dancing Voice / Singing Body

Directors Meredith Monk and Vocal Ensemble the Elysian Quartet
The Dancing Voice / Singing Body workshop offers a place where voice, movement and image intersect, creating a unique opportunity for participants to discover their own personal inner richness. After beginning with breathing techniques and a detailed vocal and movement warm-up, participants work with the voice and body as instruments for exploring range, timbre, gesture, resonance, character, landscape and rhythm to uncover the fundamentals of performance and connecting to the world. Meredith Monk is a pioneer in what is now called ‘extended vocal technique’ and ‘interdisciplinary performance’, and she and the Ensemble will collaborate with the Elysian Quartet on Songs of Ascension, a performance which will require some additional chorus, to be taken from those participating in the workshops.

TWO WEEK COURSES

Advanced Composition**

FULL TIME
Director Julian Anderson
This is a unique opportunity to work with one of Britain’s leading composers. Six students will be selected to study with Julian Anderson, and the course will culminate in a concert including works composed during the week. This is the first week of a two week course, and participants must commit to both weeks. Entry to the course is subject to a process of application. See Advanced Courses for details.
Closing date for applications: 12th March.

Advanced Opera** Mozart -The Marriage of Figaro

FULL TIME
Director Alexander Oliver
This is the first week of a two-week course designed for emerging professional and advanced student singers. Participants must commit to both weeks. Alexander Oliver will give specialist coaching. Please note that entry to this course is subject to a process of application and audition. See Advanced Courses for details.
Please note that this course will finish on Monday 30th August as there will be a performance on Sunday 29th.
Closing date for applications: 12th March.

THREE WEEK COURSE

Advanced Conducting**

FULL TIME
Director Diego Masson
This is the second week of a three week course.
Please note that entry to this course is subject to a process of application and audition. See Advanced Courses for details.
Please note that this course will finish on Monday 30th August as there will be a performance on Sunday 29th.
Closing date for applications: 12th March.