3 mins
START YOUR COURSE HUNTING HERE!
IMPROVE YOUR TEACHING
HARTT SUZUKI INSTITUTE, US
Designed for string teachers who have already taken the Every Child Can! preparatory course, the Hartt Suzuki Institute provides tuition at a number of levels. Participants can choose from a variety of classes across the week-long course held at the University of Hartford, CT, US. (Page 34)
ESTA POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE FOR STRING TEACHERS,
UK
This week-long summer school offers participants the opportunity to refresh and perfect their teaching skills through talks, seminars, demonstrations and concerts from a range of pedagogues. New teachers are welcome, as are those towards the end of their careers or who have already retired, while the evenings provide opportunity for informal music making. (Page 27)
ORCHESTRAL
PRAGUE SUMMER NIGHTS YOUNG ARTISTS MUSIC FESTIVAL,
CZECH REPUBLIC
Alongside courses for singers, conductors, stage directors and arts administrators, the festival provides training for aspiring orchestral musicians in its symphony and opera orchestras.
After a month of intensive rehearsals, performances take place across the Czech capital and the picturesque nearby city of Tabor. Masterclasses and chamber music training make up the rest of the programme. (Page 10)
REHEARSAL ORCHESTRA,
UK
These courses, lasting one day to one week, offer ’aspiring professionals and serious amateurs’ the opportunity to take part in intensive rehearsals of one or more works of 19th- and 20th-century orchestral repertoire. While intensive, the experience is designed to support players’ development in a non-competitive environment. Bartok, Britten, Sibelius and Rachmaninoff are among the composers whose work appears on the 2020 programme. (Page 31)
IMPROVE YOUR PLAYING
OXFORD CELLO SCHOOL,
UK
Now in its 40th year, this week-long range of summer courses for cellists and double bassists aims to help all players, regardless of their age or ability level. Among the classes on offer is a programme for cello teachers who find themselves also teaching bass. (Page 30)
BENSLOW MUSIC: LATE STARTER VIOLINS,
UK
One of Benslow Music’s wide range of courses, this programme of group lessons is designed to work on technical issues facing adult students of around grade 1 or 2 standard. From holding the instrument and bow to string-crossings and different bow strokes, new and developing skills are consolidated via ensemble and solo playing.
(Page 23)
GET AHEAD
PROQUARTET STRING QUARTET AND CHAMBER MUSIC COURSE, FRANCE
Through a programme of concerts, residencies and workshops, ProQuartet offers early-career string quartets extensive opportunities to hone their skills and establish their reputations. Specialist coaching from the likes of Irvine Ardite‘ and Alasdair Tait is supported by ’intepretation sessions’ on pieces of key repertoire. (Page 11)
CARL FLESCH AKADEMIE, GERMANY
Numerous one-to-one lessons, four masterclasses and twelve public concerts make up two weeks of high-level instrumental training in and around the German city of Baden-Baden.
Henryk Szeryng established the Carl Flesch Akademie in 1964 to continue the work of the eponymous violinist and pedagogue. It culminates in concerto performances from the participants with the Baden-Baden Philharmonic Orchestra. (Page 15)
SOMETHING DIFFERENT
THE BREATHING BOW, FRANCE
Understanding the effect playing music has on the mind and body - and vice versa - is key to this course, held several times each year in the French region of Provence. It aims to help musicians incorporate principles taken from yoga and mindfulness into their playing, and places importance on the significant ’moments of relaxation and exchange’ by providing seasonal food and wine from the local area. (Page 11)
BANG ON A CAN SUMMER MUSIC INSTITUTE, US
With a focus on collaboration and experimentation rather than individual study, the Bang on a Can Summer Music Institute brings together performers and composers for ’intense, visceral, hands-on immersion in contemporary music’. Each day begins with a one-hour movement workshop followed by activities for all participants, which in the past have included Ghanaian drumming and Cuban jazz. Spaces are available throughout for groups to prepare their work. (Page 37)