Clarinettist Margaret Archibald and pianist Daniel King Smith work with clarinet players of all standards, the priority being to explore repertoire for clarinet and piano while discussing technique and musicianship in open forum and individual sessions.
STANDARD: ALL
Resident: £572 Non-Resident: £435 (25% off for under 27s) Code: 25/355
Booking for Members opens at 9am on Wednesday 27 November 2024
Non-Member and online booking opens at 9am on Monday 16 December 2024
For details on how to become a Member to take advantage of early booking, see here
What is this course about?
Quintessential Clarinets is primarily aimed at the study and performance of repertoire works for clarinet and piano. Daniel offers individual rehearsals coached from the piano while Margaret offers technique and musicianship classes alongside individual sessions.
The course accepts students from learner to advanced and is ideal for players who wish to improve their performing confidence or are planning to take practical examinations.
In the weeks preceding the course, players will asked to name works for clarinet and piano they intend to study so this information can be shared with other participants. The tutors will also give advance notice of one or two set works that can be studied by everyone. The opportunity to explore works in depth, to grow in understanding of the relationship between the clarinet line and the piano part, and to learn from the technical issues and musical interpretations of other course participants presenting the same piece, is a particularly rewarding aspect of the course.
There will be opportunities to play pieces for two clarinets and piano, and Margaret will organise clarinet ensembles if participants request it.
Everyone is encouraged to perform in each evening’s sharing session, testing out their new technical and musical discoveries.
Players should bring bass, Eb, or other clarinets if they have them, either to study pieces with piano or to play in an ensemble.
Tutor websites: www.margaretarchibald.com/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdQa20o-He8NLbLlG2-XI3w https://www.danielkingsmith.co.uk
What will we cover?
Repertoire for solo clarinet and piano will be the focus. The course aims to develop technique and musicianship through sessions exploring repertoire with the clarinet tutor or pianist and sharing sessions where participants perform to one another or play together.
What will we accomplish? By the end of this course you will be able to…
Engage with a wider choice of repertoire and reach a new level of technical and musical understanding.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Enthusiasm for the clarinet and its repertoire is a given for this course! All are welcome to share in the process of discovery, whether relative beginners or players with decades of experience.
Standard: Learner, Improver, Confident, Skilful
How will the course be taught, and will any preparation be required?
The course includes individual sessions with tutors, and some group work and sharing sessions where all course participants perform to one another in open forum.
It is helpful if players arrive with at least one work they have prepared and would like to rehearse and perform with piano – including at a sharing session on the first evening.
Players will be asked to respond to an email questionnaire before the course so a timetable can be devised tailored to the ambitions of course members.
Will music be provided in advance of the course?
Course participants should bring their own copies of both the clarinet and piano parts of works they have prepared. Tutors will bring copies of many standard pieces and a wide variety of clarinet ensemble music.
Participants will be asked to declare in advance which repertoire items they are preparing so others can bring their own copies. Much can be learnt from sharing different interpretations of the same piece.
Is there anything I need to bring?
Players should bring bass, Eb, or other clarinets if they have them, either to study pieces with piano or to play in an ensemble. Clarinet(s) and sheet music.
What previous participants said about this course…
"Both tutors were brilliantly helpful and inspiring. The course content was perfect."
“A not-to-be missed opportunity to develop both individualized clarinet technique and musicianship skills in a challenging, rigorous but supportive environment.”
"It was great to have so much 1-2-1 time with the tutors."