Summer School Courses - Week 5

The culmination of the two week opera masterclass embraces the Japanese focus with performances of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly. We welcome the ‘Euro-Japanese’ ensemble, Okeanos – who include a number of traditional Japanese instruments in their line up. A number of new works will be premiered in the week – with a commission from Benjamin Wallfisch, and of course, the ‘parallel universe’ that is RockShop is back again. BBC Symphony Chorus Director, Stephen Jackson, takes a week off from the Proms to make his Summer School choir debut.

ONE WEEK COURSES

Choir

Director Stephen Jackson

Stravinsky Symphony of Psalms (Boosey, sung in Latin)
Judith Bingham First Light (Peters Edition)

Chamber Choir

Director Jeremy Walker
Stravinsky Mass
Dello Joio To Saint Cecilia

This year the Chamber Choir will explore two remarkable works scored for mixed chorus and wind instruments. In a conversation with Evelyn Waugh, Stravinsky noted: ‘My Mass was not composed for concert performances but for use in the church. In making a musical setting of the Credo, I wished only to preserve the text in a special way. One composes a march to facilitate marching men, so with my Credo I hope to provide an aid to the text. There is much to believe’. A decade later American Pulitzer Prize-winning composer, Norman Dello Joio, wrote his setting of Dryden’s To Saint Cecilia for mixed chorus and brass. The music is celebratory; offering brilliant flourishes for brass and chorus, but also has moments of quiet contemplation. Dello Joio died on 24 July 2008.

This course is suited to experienced singers and participants will be chosen by audition at the beginning of the week.

Chamber Music

Coordinator Barbara Sue White
Stanford Quartet
See page 21 for course description.

Choral Conducting

Director Stephen Jackson
Trinity College of Music Chamber Choir

This course is open to established choral conductors and emerging professional conductors who will have the unique opportunity to work intensively on a cappella repertoire with the BBC Symphony Chorus Director, Stephen Jackson and choir in-residence, Trinity College of Music Chamber Choir.

Places will be limited so please book early, attaching your CV. Auditions may be held.

Instrumental & Vocal Classes

Della Jones Voice
Peter Knapp Voice
Andrew Zolinsky Piano*
Helen Yorke Piano & Piano Accompaniment
Alison Stephens Mandolin
Ian Watson Accordion
Matthew Trusler Violin
Krzysztof Chorzelski Viola
Raphael Wallfisch Cello*
Corrado Canonici Double Bass
Chris Parkes Horn
Simon Lenton & Angela Whelan Trumpet
Katy Jones Trombone
Sam Elliot Tuba

* These classes are for advanced participants only.

Advanced Brass Chamber Music

Directors Fine Arts Brass

This course will be open to both pre-existing quintets and individual players of an advanced or diploma standard. Individual players will be accepted on a first come, first served basis and ensembles will be arranged as far as possible in advance. The course will cover a range of repertoire particularly focussing on contemporary music. There may also be the opportunity to play for the Chamber Choir/Brass concert. Please submit a CV with your application.

Taiko

Directors Jonathan Kirby, Kagemusha Taiko

This course will introduce participants to taiko drumming, covering the principals of attitude, kata (choregoraphy), musical technique and ki (energy). You will play a range of taiko drums in different styles and will work as a group to learn and perform a simple taiko compostition. Participants must be strong, physically fit and mobile, and must commit to the course for the whole week. It is not suitable for young children.

Composition for Beginners

Director Peter Copley

This is a practical course for those interested in composing music of any genre concentrating upon the skills common to all composition, such as melody, construction, harmonic progression and instrumentation. Beginners and interested listeners are welcome and no previous composing experience is necessary, although basic music literacy is an advantage. Please bring any instrument you play (at whatever level) and manuscript paper. At the end of the week, there will be an informal concert of music composed during the week.

Intermediate Composition

Director Peter Copley

A practical course for those with some previous experience inn composition for any genre, who wish to extend their skills and knowledge. Topics for discussion and practice will include techniques of developing basic material, writing for specific instruments, voice, evolving structure and creating textural variety within a composition. Please bring any instrument you play (at whatever level) and manuscript paper. Basic musical literacy is a necessity for this course, although problems with notation will be covered. If time allows, previously composed pieces by participants may also be played and discussed in the class. At the end of the course, there will be an informal concert of music composed during the week.

RockShop

Director Herbie Flowers

Herbie and his team of top professionals from the world of contemporary, rock, pop, folk and jazz, return to assist participants compose and perform their own music. Songs are written, chord charts, instrumental and backing vocal arrangements sorted out, supervised rehearsals in fully equipped spaces begin, and before you know where you are, you have written a song or two, are probably in three or four bands, and will be on stage enjoying every moment in the spotlight showcasing your week’s work. Marvellous.

Each day has a full and varied timetable of activities.
The following options are open to all:
9.30 Assembly
Meet the tutors. A chance to see and hear where they are coming from. An eye-opener. Those wishing to sing in the Summer School Choir (9:15 – 10:45) will be accommodated accordingly.
10-10.30 ‘RockShop All Stars’
A great ice breaker for all participants.
11-12.45 Workshops and rehearsals
Look at the notice board for choices.
2.30-4.30 Take your pick…
Sessions and rehearsals for all instrumentalists on how to improvise in an hour, as well as workshops on vocals, keyboards, guitar, double bass, bass guitar, drums, percussion, brass, woodwind, strings, jive, tap, country dancing, Serbian / Mexican / Greek / Argentinian music – and a ‘Disco Set’. A drop-in dayclub for everyone, pop along and learn some all time classic hits, past, present and future. Parts provided. An absolute hoot.
5.00-6.00 The ‘Barnacles’.
A session for instrumentalists and dancers, looking at traditional barn dance repertoire. ‘RockShop Choir’. Open to all DISS participants. We will be exploring the music of Queen, ABBA, The Beach Boys, and a few surprises. ‘RockShop Big Band’. Celebrating Basie, Ellington, Glen Miller, Stevie Wonder, Blues Brothers, and preparing for the ‘Afternoon Tea Gig’ on Thursday, on the lawn. Saxes, clarinets, trumpets, trombones are heartily welcome.

A daily schedule, based on participants’ requests and needs will be put on the notice board. For more info contact herbie.flowers@btinternet.com.

TWO WEEK COURSES

Advanced Opera

FULL TIME
Director Alexander Oliver
Madama Butterfly

This is the second week of a two-week course.

Advanced Composition

FULL TIME
Director Somei Satoh

The second week of a two-week course.
h2. THREE WEEK COURSE

Advanced Conducting

FULL TIME
Director Diego Masson

This is the third week of a three-week course.