A weekend of 16th and 17th century vocal music ‘apt for voyces and vyalls’, playing mainly in small groups and exploring some lesser known repertoire in addition to some works by the most famous composers.
STANDARD: CONFIDENT, SKILFUL
Resident: £402 Non-Resident: £292 (25% off for under 27s) Code: 25/227
Booking for Members opens at 9am on Thursday 12th September 2024
Booking for Non-Members opens at 9am on Thursday 3rd October 2024
For details on how to become a Member to take advantage of early booking, see here.
What is the course about?
This weekend of 16th and 17th century music for voices and viols will include madrigals and motets by various composers, as well as some larger scale works. Come and explore some of this rich music with two leading experts in the field, who will bring some rarely heard and unpublished works as well as some better known favourites. Singers need to be good sight-readers, experienced in singing one-to-a-part, and should have plenty of experience of 16th and 17th century music. Viol players who sing and singers who play viols are especially welcome. We’ll be playing at A=415.
Tutor websites: www.emmakirkby.com and www.alisoncrum.co.uk
What will we cover?
Sacred and secular music from England, Italy, and other parts of Europe, for a mixture of voices and viols. Occasional larger scale sessions provide a chance to play and sing some polychoral music. 2025 marks the 400th anniversary of the death of Orlando Gibbons, so we will be studying some of his works. We will also include some Easter related music, such as some settings of the Lamentations and other seasonal motets.
What will we accomplish? By the end of this course you will be able to…
Expand your knowledge of the huge repertoire for voices and viols in consort, and understand the structure of the music better. Learn how to balance the sound between viols and voices, and how to adapt your technique to suit others in the group. Meet some new players and singers for future music making.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is for experienced singers and viol players who are already used to playing or singing in one-to-a-part consorts, and are able to sight-read most of the standard repertoire. Singers should have previous experience in singing 16th and 17th century music, and be able to sing without vibrato.
Ideally most viols players should be able to play more than one size of viol, and read at least two clefs.
Please note that singing places will be auditioned for this course.
Viol players who also sing are especially welcome.
Standard: Confident, Skillful
How will the course be taught, and will any preparation be required?
Most of the sessions will be in small groups of 4 to 6, playing/singing one to a part. Each group will have a tutor for at least half of each session, and sometimes for the whole time. Occasional sessions will be larger scale with full time tuition. Tutors will rotate between groups, and groups will change at least twice each day.
There is no specific preparation needed for this course, except, for viol players, to make sure that their instruments are in good playing condition, with pegs which turn and stay in place. Singers should get used to pitching their notes at A 415.
Will music be provided in advance of the course?
No – most of the music we study will not be suggested in advance of the course, but for a few larger scale pieces, singers will be asked to download and/or print PDF scores of two or three pieces, unless they are happy to sing from single parts. All singers will be contacted nearer the time about this.
Most other music will be provided by the tutors, but participants may also bring their own music for use in free time, or possibly for coaching sessions if the music chosen includes suitable parts and scores to fit the group.
Is there anything I need to bring?
Viols, with spare strings and a tuning meter. Stand lights if eyesight is poor.
Some music (as above) if you wish. A folder to put behind single sheets of music.
What previous participants said about this course…
“I keep coming back which is testament to its excellence.”
“Lovely music. Great people.”
“The opportunity to sing with viols and one to a line which I don't often get. Lots of positive and helpful feedback.”
What course can I do next? You may also be interested in…
Consorting Viols