LeisureCourses.net – short courses & residential study breaks in great locations

15/288 Chi Kung for All with Glyn Williams

STANDARD: ALLChi Kung (or Qi Gong) exercises are some of the oldest surviving exercise techniques to have emerged from China. They were evolved as easy exercises for developing energy in order to improve health and well-being and for encouraging mental and physical relaxation. They are thus ideal for performing musicians who need effective ways of...

15/289 Everyone Matters with Margaret Archibald

STANDARD: INTERMEDIATE, ADVANCEDNow in a weekend slot, this popular course led by Margaret Archibald helps string, wind and keyboard players as well as any singers prepare items for informal performances at a range of local care homes. Last year

15/345 Group Quartets with Jonathan Trout with Jonathon Trout

STANDARD: INTERMEDIATE, ADVANCEDJonathan Trout leads another of our popular Group Quartet courses, designed for those who are reluctant to tackle the string quartet repertoire one to a part or who just enjoy playing the repertoire en masse, as if a string orchestra. We

15/283 Fiddle Music of Scotland and Ireland with Pete Cooper

STANDARD: INTERMEDIATE, ADVANCEDPete Cooper

15/284 The Chamber Music of Brahms with Roderick Swanston

STANDARD: ALLBrahms wrote chamber music throughout his life so it provides a special insight into his musical character and development. Sometimes afraid of comparison with Beethoven he often avoided competing with the earlier composer's favourite genres, notably the string quartet. Amongst Brahms's most beautiful early chamber works are his string sextets, and later ones his...

15/285 Conducting Wind Ensembles with Colin Touchin

STANDARD: ELEMENTARY, INTERMEDIATEDesigned for wind players (all orchestral instruments, recorders, saxophones, etc.) this short course will provide beginner and intermediate conductors and ensemble directors with skills and exercises in theoretical and practical sessions. Topics will include: baton technique, score preparation, rehearsal planning, training routines and performance tips. Bring instruments to play for each...

Discover the Joys of Playing the Ukulele

15/342 String Quartets with the Maggini (3 day option) with Members of the Maggini Quartet

We welcome back our good friends the Maggini Quartet for another of their popular courses in which they pass on their wisdom

15/280 String Quartets with the Maggini (2 day option) with Members of the Maggini Quartet

We welcome back our good friends the Maggini Quartet for another of their popular courses in which they pass on their wisdom

15/113 Consort Singing Day with Andrew Parnell

STANDARD: ADVANCEDConsort-singing

15/112 Singing for the Terrified with Katharine Bramley

STANDARD: ALLAre you nervous or frightened of singing on your own? Do you dread the singing element of aural tests? In this one-day course, Katharine Bramley will help you overcome your fears in a friendly and supportive setting, as well as giving you plenty of opportunity to develop your listening and sight-singing skills,...

15/278 Banjo Weekend with David Price

STANDARD: ELEMENTARY, INTERMEDIATEDavid Price leads another of his popular courses, concentrating on rhythm, jazz playing, how to build solos, chord-melody, tremolo techniques, duo styles, and many other topics relevant to all plectrum and tenor players

15/270 Clarinet Weekend with Margaret Archibald

STANDARD: INTERMEDIATE, ADVANCEDRenowned clarinetists David Campbell, Margaret Archibald and Ian Scott and the widely admired collaborative pianist John Flinders, return to lead this friendly and popular end of summer course. For some sessions participants will be divided into two large choirs, for others into small ensembles, and John will join his fellow tutors for work...

15/271 Grade V Theory with Katharine Bramley

STANDARD: INTERMEDIATEAre you marooned at Grade 5 on your instrument, disqualified from taking any more exams because you have yet to pass Grade 5 Theory? Or are you simply interested in the theory that lies behind the music that you play? Either way, this course is ideal for you. Katharine Bramley leads an intensive course...

15/269 Introduction to Live-looping with Steve Bingham

STANDARD: ELEMENTARY, INTERMEDIATE, ADVANCEDSteve Bingham leads this brand new course designed to introduce players of all ages and abilities to the world of live-looping. We are looking for players of any electric instrument who want to gain a better understanding of the techniques involved. We will look at the hardware and software available for live-looping...

15/275 Jazz for Classical Singers with Anton Browne

STANDARD: INTERMEDIATE, ADVANCEDThe charismatic Anton Browne, regular tutor on our popular Big Band Singing Summer School, returns for this new course designed to introduce Classical singers to the freedoms and disciplines of the Jazz/Soul/Pop singer in a practical way. The course will include tuition on recognising intervals and chord types, on song format/structure and on...

15/272 Romantic Keyboard with Timothy Barratt

STANDARD: INTERMEDIATE, ADVANCEDTimothy Barratt leads this popular course devoted to music of the Romantic era, complementing his Classical keyboard course earlier in the year. Pianists of intermediate (minimum grade 5) and advanced level are invited to bring along own choice pieces they have been preparing. At the course he will also talk about and play...

15/268 Tai Chi (2 night option) with Glyn Williams

STANDARD: ALLDescribed as gentle exercise for increased mobility and well-being, T

15/339 Tai Chi (3 night option) with Glyn Williams

STANDARD: ALLDescribed as gentle exercise for increased mobility and well-being, T

15/338 Madrigal and Partsong Summer School with Simon Wallfisch

STANDARD: INTERMEDIATE, ADVANCEDFollowing the success of last year

15/ISA International Harp Summer School with Danielle Perrett

STANDARD: DIPLOMADanielle Perrett returns to Benslow for another International Harp Summer School, designed to help advanced players aspiring to attain highest levels. In addition to focussed tuition on all aspect of harp playing, she will lead a very helpful evening Pilates session, and students will work towards an informal concert on the last day of...

15/IS9 International Conducting Summer School with Christopher Gayford

STANDARD: ADVANCED, DIPLOMAChris Gayford helps all conductors, whether or not they have previous experience, achieve remarkable results by working on score-learning, interpretation, gesture, rehearsing techniques and self-confidence, using examples from the choral, orchestral and opera repertoires. Some pieces will be specified in advance so that you can do some initial preparation. All participants are asked...

15/402 Summer Winds with Janet Myatt and friends

STANDARD: INTERMEDIATE, ADVANCEDYou

15/403 Guitar Summer School with Carlos Bonnel

STANDARD: INTERMEDIATE, ADVANCEDFollowing the success of last year

15/265 ABRSM Jazz Piano Syllabus for Piano Teachers with Tim Richards

As a contributor to the syllabus and jazz examiner since 1999

15/266 Music of the New World with Julian Williamson

STANDARD: ALLFrom its early flowering in religious music to the gradual development of instrumental and theatrical works, the growth of music in America is a fascinating story. From extraordinary figures like Heinrich and Gottschalk through the innovative ideas of Charles Ives and George Gershwin, to the work of Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein, John Cage and...

15/IS7 International Composing Summer School with Michael Finnissy

STANDARD: DIPLOMAThe distinguished composer and teacher Michael Finnissy returns to Benslow Music for this composing course designed for those aiming to pursue composition to the very highest level and who are perhaps already studying or intend to study at a recognised music college. Michael will work in details on participant

15/IS3 International Piano Summer School with Graeme Humphrey

STANDARD: DIPLOMAThis brand new summer school for advanced pianists is led by Graeme Humphrey. Graeme has been a teacher of piano all his professional life, both at the Royal Academy of Music for thirty-six years from 1974

15/335 Late Starter Violins with Sebastian Muller

Standard : Elementary Sebastian M

15/262 Late Starter String Orchestra with Sebastian Muller

Standard : Elementary , Intermediate Another chance for violin, viola and cello players to join Sebastian