The course is about bringing musicians together to gain further experience of playing in a string ensemble and the enriching sensation that this brings.
STANDARD: LEARNER, IMPROVER
Fee: £103 (25% off for under 27s) Code: 25/105
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?
Primarily, this day workshop is all about experiencing and enjoying the wonderful and enriching sensation of playing music together in a string ensemble. This workshop has grown out of an informal termly get together from a recent adult beginner string project called Benslow Late String Starters*, providing a safe, non-judgemental environment. This workshop day is all about getting comfortable with playing in a group environment. During the day you will have the chance to play altogether in a big ensemble, as well as explore different string ensemble skills in smaller groups. We will guide you through how to listen and respond to other instruments and musical lines. Other skills that will be covered include the challenge of peripheral vision and listening whilst playing, as well as becoming acquainted with intonation awareness in string ensembles.
What will the course cover?
By the end of the workshop day, all course members will have had the opportunity to play in a big string ensemble, as well as in a smaller group. These smaller groups will range in focus from an introduction to chamber music, to targeted exercises exploring beginner ensemble skills such as intonation and group pulse games.
What will we accomplish? By the end of this course you will be able to...
Emphasis throughout the day is on the sheer joy of taking part in music-making with others of like mind. Regardless of whether this is your first ever time playing with others, or you regularly play in groups, this workshop will give you both awareness and 'ways in' to developing ensemble skills. Tutors will help with note accuracy and counting, intonation, tone quality and interpretation and above all with collaborative awareness in rehearsal and performance.
How will the course be taught, and will any preparation be required?
There will be full orchestral rehearsals, as well as opportunities to break down into smaller groups for sectionals and on occasion improvisation sessions. It would be helpful if participants could prepare their music in advance of the course.
Will music be provided in advance of this course?
Tutors will provide music for the larger ensemble in advance and will bring some collections of small ensemble music.
Is there anything that participants need to bring?
Players should bring their instrument, along with any other necessary items for instrument upkeep such as rosin, spare strings etc. We also recommend bringing a pencil and eraser.
Tutor biographies
Maria Prowse Maria Prowse studied at the Purcell School and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where she was awarded the Dudley Cookes chamber music prize. Maria's love for playing the viola was primarily inspired by her first teacher, Phyllis Ebsworth, who was herself a violist in a string quartet in the early 1930s. Phyllis provided Maria with many opportunities to play in quartets and chamber music, where she learnt most of the repertoire and performed regularly in concerts. Maria is an experienced recitalist and chamber musician, and has freelanced with many orchestras and ensembles throughout the UK and abroad. Maria currently lives in Hertfordshire where she continues to play and teach. She is a member of the Kings Chamber Orchestra, Sinfonia Verdi and is a member of the Element String Quartet. She also teaches for Hertfordshire Music Service tutoring many of the counties junior string ensembles and orchestras, and for whom she has also been a tutor with the county's Schools' Symphony Orchestra.
Ros Woodin Ros Woodin was awarded a music scholarship to Millfield School, where she studied under Tony Pooley. She then went on to enjoy a freelance playing career in London, as well as beginning her private teaching practice. Her teaching career spans 25 years, having trained with the Benedettti Foundation in all aspects of teaching pedagogy. As well as tutoring on the Benslow Late Starter Orchestra courses, she also tutors the violinists. She works for the Hertfordshire County Music Service working in primary, secondary schools and music centres, running ensembles and individual lessons. She continues to enjoy her freelance playing career and set up the semi professional orchestra, The Hitchin Chamber Orchestra 10 years ago.