intermediate Ensemble Course
Make friends for life as you take a step into the world of ensemble music, developing skills of listening, communicating through music, improving sight-reading and exploring the vast world of music available for wind, strings and percussion under the guidance of our friendly and encouraging tutors. The emphasis is on making the course fun and accessible but within the framework of working together as a team to create something special. Choir, conducting and handbell workshops are also part of the schedule.
5 Day Course
Orchestral Instruments
Grades 2-5 standard
Conducting Workshops
Recital Workshops
Range of Genres
Ensembles
These typically include string quartets, double reed ensembles, wind quintets, brass ensembles, percussion groups and jazz band, alongside larger ensembles such as orchestra, wind band and string orchestra. We aim to give all students a wide ranging programme of activities, enabling them to develop skills in multiple areas of performance, from sight reading and chamber playing to aural skills like improvisation and playing by ear.
musicianship
Alongside the standard ensemble opportunities afforded on this course, we aim to help the students become more rounded musicians by developing additional skills, such as confidence in performance, teamwork and leadership, through the following sessions:
Choir
Singing forms an essential part of every young person's musical education. Being part of a choir teaches the skills of sight singing, listening to one another, learning to blend your voice and team work. At SLMD all the students are encouraged to participate in the main choir learning fun repertoire. In addition, for the more advanced, we run a chamber choir which will tackle more challenging pieces to a very high standard.
Handbells
Handbell ringing is a great musical leveller. It's a fun, collaborative challenge unique to our courses, where instrumentalists of all levels play on an equal footing. Holding just two notes from the whole ensemble, students face a unique challenge of slotting their notes in with rhythmic precision, relying on each other to build the melody and harmony together.
Recital Workshops
These take the form of performance workshops in an informal setting, giving students the opportunity to play a piece – or a section of a piece – and receive constructive, encouraging feedback. It’s an ideal environment to test out an exam piece or audition solo in a non-pressurised and supportive environment with insights from our expert team, which includes high-level specialist performers, orchestral coaches, a conservatoire tutor, and an ABRSM examiner.
Conducting Workshops
In these sessions, students learn the fundamentals of conducting, from clear beat patterns and navigating time signatures to understanding how a conductor shapes phrasing and musicality with just their hands. Students get to step up and conduct a live 'staff orchestra' made up of our professional tutors, who will follow their beat with absolute precision, so if you speed up, slow down or miss a beat you'll hear it immediately!
course timings
Each day, all students will need to bring with them:
Their instrument(s)
A music stand
A pencil
Packed lunch
9:00-9:30 – registration
When you arrive on Monday, 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.
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
Friday concert – 3:00 PM
The last day will feature an informal concert, which we would love parents to attend. This concert will showcase a small but representative selection of items from the week.
