All of our courses are run by the same dedicated and enthusiastic team of fully professional tutors who are experienced players and teachers.
Our aim is always to get the best out of the students, while at the same time ensuring everyone has a great time.
Each day, all students will need to bring with them:
Their instrument(s)
A music stand
A pencil
Packed lunch
Day 1
Registration - 9:30 aM
When you arrive on day 1, we’ll be taking a quick registration at the entrance as you arrive to make sure everyone settles in and has everything they need. We’ll also provide all students with a name badge.
Each day will begin at 9:30 a.m.
We would ask parents/guardians to come to the entrance as well, as we have a short medical and consent form to fill out to make sure we’re aware of any relevant health conditions or allergies. If you can’t attend the registration, please let us know and we’ll send the form to you in advance.
ensembles
Throughout the day, children will take part in a range of ensembles. These include:
Full Orchestra
Wind Band
String Orchestra
Choir
Sectional Rehearsals
Chamber Orchestra
Handbells
String Quartets
Brass Ensemble
Woodwind Ensembles
Jazz Band
Saxophone Quartet
Double Reed Ensemble
Please note, these will vary depending on the instruments we have available.
Each session lasts roughly 45-60 minutes and students will all get a variety of experiences. For some sessions we divide students into groups according to grade level, as well as bringing everyone together for full orchestra where we arrange new parts every year specifically tailored to the level of each student.
breaks
We have a morning and afternoon break (approx. 15 mins) in which we will provide refreshments. Children will need to bring their own packed lunch and drink for the midday break.
days ends - 4:00 PM
days 2-4
Registration - 9:30 aM
ensembles
Students will have some of the same ensembles as day 1, working on the music in more depth, as well as sight-reading new music and taking part in other ensembles.
We ensure that every student that wants to take part in any of the more unique experiences, such as handbells, gets a turn.
Musical Explorers (Days 2-3)
For any students registered on our Musical Explorers course, this runs across days 2 and 3 (Tue-Wed) alongside our Orchestral Instruments course. The Musical Explorers students will work with our tutors Helen and David, and get a chance to try out different instruments, including hand bells, percussion, keyboard/piano, recorders and some orchestral instruments too. Once settled in, they will also get a chance to perform in some of the large ensembles (full orchestra and choir) with students from the other course to get experience playing in a larger group.
solo performance workshops
For those who opted to take part, there will be opportunity to perform a short piece in front of the other students and receive constructive feedback in a relaxed, informal setting. It doesn’t matter if students don’t have a complete piece prepared.
Students will divide into woodwind, strings, brass, piano and vocal for separate workshops with our instrumental specialists,
Please remember to bring piano accompaniments if needed.
Before the workshops, there will be a Performance Skills session for everyone, which will cover everything from presentation and bowing to announcing your piece and acknowledging the accompanist.
conducting workshops
We give all students who want to the opportunity to try out conducting. As well as helping develop their understanding of a conductor’s role, this will also give them a unique experience conducting the staff orchestra.
rounders
Although this is a music course, usually on Days 2 and 4 we encourage all students to take part in an outdoor rounders match, weather permitting. This gives students a break from music-making, while promoting teamwork and encouraging some to try something new.
day ends - 4:00 PM
day 5
Registration - 9:30 aM
Final Concert - 3:00 PM
The last day will feature an informal concert, which we would love parents to attend. This concert will showcase some of the music we have been working on over the duration of the course, although in order to keep this to under an hour we cannot perform everything.
The concert will finish by 4:00 p.m. at the latest.