A wonderful opportunity to enjoy and share your love for the sound of the Big Band in the company of the like-minded.
STANDARD: CONFIDENT, SKILFUL
Resident: £836 Non-Resident: £660 (25% off for under 27s) Code: 24/503
Booking for Members opens at 11am on Wednesday 28 February 2024
Non-Member and online booking opens at 11am on Wednesday 20 March 2024
For details on how to become a Member to take advantage of early booking, see here
What is the course about?
A wonderful opportunity to enjoy and share your love for the sound of the Big Band in the company of the like-minded. We’ll cover a wide range of repertoire under the expert guidance of Paul Eshelby, who has worked with the BBC Big Band, BBC Radio Orchestra, and has played with everyone from Ella Fitzgerald to Phil Collins, Shirley Bassey and George Benson. There will be sectionals, and visiting tutors will also give some solo coaching. We’re looking for saxophone, trumpet, trombone, piano, guitar, bass and drum players of at least Grade 6 standard, and we’ll be working alongside the Big Band Singing Summer School (piano and bass players should be able to read chord symbols as well as music).
We begin at 6.30 pm on the first day and finish after breakfast on the final day. Entry to the A Night of Jazz concert on the Wednesday evening is included in the course fee.
What will we cover?
Music from the 1940s up to present day, also vocal backings.
What will we accomplish? By the end of this course you will be able to…
Understand Big Band phrasing, a basic understanding of improvisation and making music swing.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
You will need a minimum of Grade 6 sight reading ability, this is important as most of the music will be new to everyone.
How will the course be taught, and will any preparation be required?
It will help if brass and saxophone players could build up their embouchure’s as it is an intensive course
Will music be provided in advance of the course?
No everyone will be in the same position to learn the music as we do it.
Is there anything I need to bring?
Bass and guitar players will need to bring their amplifiers. If saxophones can play clarinet or flute then these may be used as a double instrument.
What previous participants said about this course…
“I think that Paul's choices of music for the course is spot on, the standard challenges us all and we rise to it.”
“Paul Eshelby was superb. It was a great pleasure and a privilege to work with him.”
“Fun, exciting and varied. Something for everyone.”