Advanced Ensemble Course
On this course players can really get their teeth into challenging repertoire, under the guidance of our friendly and encouraging tutors. There will be music for all kinds of wind, string and percussion ensembles as well as a jazz band – focusing on other aural skills like improvisation and playing by ear – with the various instrumental groups combined for larger band or orchestral works. We’ll also be offering sessions in conducting and performance technique as well as musical levellers such as handbell playing and choir. This is the perfect opportunity to hone those performance skills in a non stressful environment.
5 Day Course
Orchestral Instruments
Grade 6 to diploma standard
Piano Grade 8 and above
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 chamber orchestra, full orchestra and concert band. We aim to give all students a wide ranging programme of activities, enabling them to develop skills in multiple areas of performance.
workshops
In addition to 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 workshops:
Recital Workshops
These take the form of performance workshops in an informal setting, giving students an opportunity to play a piece (or a section of a piece) with constructive and encouraging feedback from the audience of students and tutors. It’s an excellent opportunity to test out an exam piece or audition solo in a non-pressurised and supportive environment, with feedback from our team of expert staff, who are able to give feedback from a variety of perspectives, as high level specialist performers, orchestral coaches and teachers, 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!
Handbell Workshops
Handbell ringing is a great musical leveller. It's a fun, collaborative challenge unique to our courses, where instrumentalists of all levels play on 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.
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.
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 a reasonable length we cannot perform everything.
days ends – 4:00 PM
