A Music Summer School for All

Brass Band
Chamber Music
Symphonic Wind Orchestra
Ceilidh Band Practice
Folk
Big Band
Dance Band
Jazz Harmony and Improvisation 1
Jazz Harmony and Improvisation 2
Jazz Harmony and Improvisation 3
Open Jazz Orchestra
String Orchestra
Symphony Orchestra
Orchestral and Band Percussion
Percussion Ensemble
Composition
Theory without tears! (to Grade 5)
Chamber Choir
Choir
I wish I could Sing
Opera
Take a Deep Breath
World Music Singing Group

Jazz Harmony and Improvisation 1 (L): Never tried Jazz? Keen to start? Need to brush up? All are welcome to this class. Part theoretical, part practical, students will be introduced to the fundamentals of Jazz Harmony and how this applies to improvising. Scales, Modes and simple chord progressions will be clearly explained and de-mystified to inspire students who are new or returning to this exciting and challenging subject. The second session will put all this into practice. The emphasis will be on playing and having fun through connecting ears, brain, heart and fingers (or voice) by improvising on a selected Jazz repertoire which should inspire students to further study. Beginning Jazz students are also encouraged to attend the Open Jazz Orchestra.

Jazz Harmony and Improvisation 2 (M): This part theoretical/part practical class is for those who have completed Level 1 and those returning to Jazz. It presumes the knowledge of Jazz Harmony 1 (i.e. Blues and Dorian/Mixolydian Modes in C, F, G) and will consider: further modal study, II-VI-I‘s and patterns for Jazz -generally how to approach getting round the changes. Attendee’s of this class are also welcome to attend Jazz Harmony 1 to fill in the gaps. The second session will be an absolutely practical Improvisation session with carefully selected repertoire to allow students to experiment with and develop concepts explained in the earlier class. Please note: Returning students who completed level 1 in 2007 who have not engaged in further Jazz study and/or regular playing over the intervening year, or who feel their playing would benefit from more practice at an introductory level should NOT enrol for level 2 but should repeat level 1.

Jazz Harmony and Improvisation 3 (N): This mostly practical class is for those who have completed Jazz harmony and improvisation 2, returning level 3 students and confident improvisers playing regularly from week to week outside Summer School. Whilst providing new ideas, Level 3 aims to consolidate work done at level 2 (modes, II-V-I ‘s plus altered and diminished scales and patterns for Jazz) and then to build on each participant’s knowledge of changes playing. Returning level 3 students will find ample opportunity to be stretched and to build on work from 2006. A carefully selected repertoire will facilitate this approach. Attendees of this class are also welcome to attend Jazz Harmony 2 for revision purposes. Please note: Returning students who completed level 2 in 2007 who have not engaged in further Jazz study and/or regular playing over the intervening year, or who feel their playing would benefit from more ideas at an intermediate level, should NOT enrol for level 3 but should repeat level 2.

Repertoire for M4P Jazz Levels 2 and 3 (2008): All repertoire is drawn from The New Real Book (1988, Sher Music Co. ISBN 0-9614701-4-3) and is a mix of material from 2007 and some new suggestions. Students must bring a copy of this to Summer School in the correct key for their instrument. Use of Photocopies is not permitted.

Singers enrolling for Levels 2/3 will be expected to participate in all tunes studied, and may select another song from the book, but should email the title (with any key changes required) to m4pjazz@f2s.com by July 25th 2008. Added to this repertoire is a yet untitled 32 bar standard tune, this is being written to be performed as part of a newly commissioned Opera “Brushwork” to be performed in the Friday concert.
For the traditionalists amongst you there will also be a chance to work on and perform 2 stomp tunes “King Porter Stomp” and “Black Bottom Stomp”

Big Band (A): All suitable instrumentalists are encouraged to join this ensemble which plays a variety of Big Band Music from Neal Hefti, Glenn Miller and Sammy Nestico to contemporary styles based on Latin and Funk grooves. Daily sessions developing good ensemble playing will prepare for a concert at the latter end of the course. Student numbers may be limited to give a balanced band. Singers interested in performing with the Big Band should make themselves known to the Tutor at the beginning of the course.

Open Jazz Orchestra (O): (Simon Atkins) Suitable for all-comers and all instrumentalists. By using a carefully chosen repertoire of arrangements of well-known Jazz standards this group concentrates on ensemble playing, getting the right groove, swing feel, phrasing, improvisation, dynamics and all that Jazz! Highly recommended for those in Jazz Harmony/Improvisation 1 or those completely new to an ensemble tackling Jazz repertoire.

Brass Band (B): With a full band, I would like to consider established concert/contest works of around 2nd/3rd section standard, possibly higher. Whilst I have my own ideas, I would welcome feedback from potential students. Gilbert Vinter's Entertainments, Allan Street's Rococo Variations, Simon Dobson's Lydian Pictures and Gordon Langford's Sinfonietta are considerations of mine, and as ever, I'm willing to consider pieces brought by students from their own libraries. It is my intention to repeat the successful ensemble classes from 2007, and indeed, to expand it to perform some antiphonal brass music, from the pens of Giovanni Gabrieli, Samuel Scheidt and other similarly dated brass music, (including an excellent arrangement of the opening chorus to Monteverdi's Vespers) with the aim to perform some of these in the chapel. Percussionists please note instruments will be available, so there is no need haul a set of timps in the mini up to Yorkshire.

Ceilidh Band Practice (C): Come and join in Louisa's unending quest to make Ceilidhs cool again. This course makes up the band for the summer school's 2 ceilidh parties during the week, culminating in the Last Night Hoolie. Incorporating folk music mainly from all over the British Isles, the course explores new and old approaches to playing for dancing. Music packs will be sent out in advance but please feel free to bring in any of your own personal gems. The course is suitable for mixed abilities but it is an aerobic workout for even the fittest players!

Chamber Music (E): This course is for small ensemble work- trios, quartets, quintets etc. Groups will be a combination of wind and strings, and will rehearse and receive coaching on several pieces of music during the week, and will have various opportunities to perform. Coaching will be given in rehearsal technique, ensemble skills and interpretation. Should applicants have specific requests for the type of group they would like to play in it would be helpful to note this on the application form.

Chamber Choir (D): A course for more competent choral singers with reasonable sight reading skills. In addition to the course music, this course will be inter-linked with the Opera “Brushstroke”, working on the choral parts of the Opera with the opportunity of short solos.

Choir (F): Does exactly what it says on the tin! Suitable for anyone, including those of us who have always secretly wanted to sing in a choir and those of us who haven't sung since school (regardless of how long ago that was). This is best described as a fantastic bonding experience for all who attend. Fun warm-ups, little bits of useless information about how to make a decent noise and exciting repertoire all make for an uplifting end to each day.

Composition (G): A new approach! It is hoped that composers will bring compositions that can be discussed and developed by fellow composers and by a group of ‘musicians in residence’. We will work towards a composers concert at the end of the week. (it would help enormously if composers who have more elaborate compositions to show and perform could send a score and/or a performance on disc at least a month in advance to Bill Tamblyn via the Music for People secretariat). We will also accommodate those who would like to learn about or share their enthusiasm for the Sibelius music programme. We will make a PC available for you to practice in your ‘free’ time during the week.

Dalcroze Eurhythmics: Aims to develop a finely tuned ear and a physical feeling for rhythm through the use of voice and movement. The main concepts of the method will be introduced and will provide an opportunity to develop skills in pulse, rhythm and pitch away from the technical restraints of an instrument.

Dance Band (H): (Paul Medina) An ensemble playing strict-tempo arrangements by the great Jimmy Lally. Good sight-readers are required for this band, which will appear as entertainment on at least one occasion over the week with minimum rehearsal! Saxes, Brass, and Rhythm section. Interested parties should make themselves known to the tutor at the beginning of the week.

Early morning warm up sessions: Described as suitable for anyone but particularly aimed at singers and brass players and all who use their breath during the day. Physical exercise, breathing and gentle vocalising to ease everyone into the start of the long day.

Folk (I): The course is primarily intended to stimulate an interest in, to inform about and enable people to participate in, the folk music of the British Isles, although other cultures may be touched upon. The course is for musicians and singers of all ability and the primary objectives are to learn something about folk music, join in with group music-making activities, maybe write a song or a piece of music, but mainly to enjoy the course. While there is no need to be able to read music, an idea of the rudiments of harmony and music will be included in the course.

Orchestral and Band Percussion (J): It has been proven by science that being a percussionist is the most fun that anyone can have. This course introduces you to the wide and varied world of orchestral percussion, building on your existing music-reading skills. It will show you the few basic techniques that will enable you to play in an orchestral or band percussion section. You will be able to explore orchestral repertoire and develop existing skills. You will work towards playing with the wind-band and orchestra at the end of the week (previous students all enjoyed the amazing experience of working as a percussion team in ‘real-time’). New this year will be the opportunity for previous students to elect to work on orchestral extracts and ensemble music.
All equipment and instruments are provided and you will be very welcome to bring your own. Advice can be given in advance about purchasing mallets and instruments if you wish to do so.

Opera (P): New Opera Course! - This is a new course specially designed to draw together different strands and styles of music-making within the Music for People Summer School. A new opera, called “Brushwork”, is being written by three Summer School tutors and it is intended that the opera course will premiere the piece at the end of the Summer School. It is written in such a way that it can involve students taking other, different, courses including solo singers, choir singers, jazzers, and percussionists. See under course headings for details of the inter-connecting courses. “Brushwork” is a comic opera inspired by a selection of historical portraits in the National Portrait Gallery. Partly, it is an exploration of people’s reactions when they visit an art gallery - whether as a member of the public, a professional art historian/curator, an arts funder; and partly it gives the people who are fixed for ever in the picture frames their chance to have say in the matter: for example, what would the pathologically shy Emily Bronte or the kill-joy Oliver Cromwell have thought about being hung in a public art gallery? Light-hearted and fun but asking some more serious questions. The cast will include around eight “Portraits” including L S Lowry, Charles Darwin, Mary Seacole, Emily Bronte, Beatrix Potter, Oliver Cromwell, Henry Purcell, as well as the character of the Museum Curator, a representative of a funding body, and a small cast of visitors. There will be an SATB chorus with opportunities for very short solos. Percussionists and jazzers will develop and perform their own contributions to the performance. Vocal scores and practice tapes will be sent to the principals three months in advance of the Summer School.
Please note: this course is timetabled in Sessions 1 and 2; Session 3 is also set aside for coaching sessions for the singers taking principal roles in the opera; if you want to do the opera course and take another course that is also timetabled for Session 3 you should check with the other Tutor that this is possible.

Percussion Ensemble (Q): I’m looking for the most inquisitive, daring and innovative music minds in Summer School to take part in this exciting group. The ensemble will be involved in composing a Percussion Event to be performed with the Opera ! If you love sounds, hitting things and asking ‘why not ?’, this will appeal to you. An ‘O’ level in carpentry, sticking things together or ‘borrowing’ may be an advantage ! Previous experience in manipulating large pieces of paper is a bonus.
You can bring instruments and noise making apparatus with you or source them when you get here; Summer School has a large percussion department. Orchestral, folk and ethnic instruments will live alongside more innovative instruments. Experienced percussionist or other ‘musicians’, beginners or anywhere in between will be able to contribute at a high level in this exciting project.
Group size will be limited so apply robustly. If you think that you would enjoy this, you’re probably right.

I wish I could Sing (K): This course is for those people, including instrumentalists, who want to sing but need help to find their singing voice. It will also suit those who think that they have lost the voice that they once had. Sadly, lots of people lose opportunities to sing when they transfer to secondary school and never have the time or the opportunity to pick it up again. Here is your chance! This is a carefully designed and effective course to help you discover your voice and the joy of singing within a completely supportive atmosphere.

Take a Deep Breath (V): Perhaps you already belong to a choir or singing group and want to develop your skills, feel happier about hitting the high notes, extend your range, understand the connections between words and music, and – if you want to - grow your confidence in singing solo. This structured course will include a mix of exercises, simple part songs in different styles, and the opportunity to bring and sing solo songs to enable you to get even more pleasure from your singing. Please advise the tutor if you want to sing solo.
If you are not sure which of the above 2 courses is the right one for you, the tutor (Virginia Rushton Tel: 0208 858 9041) will advise you.

String Orchestra (S): Open to all orchestral strings. This course aims provide a good introduction to string orchestra playing for those new to large ensemble work, whilst allowing more experienced players to develop their ensemble skills, learn to lead a section, or take a solo role. A range of repertoire will be studied during the week, including Corelli Concerto Grosso op. 6 no. 8 and Albinoni ‘Adagio’.

Symphonic Wind Orchestra (T): A large ensemble for wind, brass and percussion, playing a mixture of original works and arrangements. Percussionists please note instruments will be available, so there is no need haul a set of timps in the mini up to Yorkshire.

Symphony Orchestra (U): Aims to join together the various instrumental courses. For those who are less experienced orchestral players, it will give a certain amount of cover and support. For those already playing in orchestras, it will give an opportunity to build on technique and work with a different conductor for a week. Percussionists please note instruments will be available, so there is no need haul a set of timps in the mini up to Yorkshire.

Technique for Brass Players: Session 3. Technique for brass will cover general aspects of brass technique in a structured manner. Students are invited to bring their own music for discussion.

Theory (W): ”Grade 5 theory without tears!” a new programme of learning designed to propel even the most cautious towards the ABRSM grade 5 theory. We will also accommodate those who would like to work towards Grade 8 theory and already have a good pass at grade 5. As usual we will set ‘homework’ each lesson and squeeze in extra tutorials if you need them.

World Music Singing Group (X): Music from the New World this year we will be rehearsing songs from the Caribbean, and the American ‘deep south’ linked to music from the ‘slave states’ of West Africa. Bring your voice, your guitars, anything you want to shake, rattle or even roll and of course bring examples of vocal music you would like to share with us.