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

Standard : Intermediate , Advanced Andrew Parnell, renowned choral trainer and keyboard player, returns to Benslow Music to lead our annual Summer Choral School, again aimed at honing the choral singing skills of participants. The objective of this course is to produce in four days a choir that really sings well as a unit, but in realising that challenge we will also be working on a satisfyingly wide range of choral repertoire. To lend solid support to each line and…

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

Standard : Elementary Sebastian M

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

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

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 others this course will track each stage of a remarkable evolution. We will look at how it gradually out grew its European influences and gave…

STANDARD: INTERMEDIATE, ADVANCEDFollowing the success of last year

STANDARD: INTERMEDIATE, ADVANCEDYou

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 to bring any instruments that they might play with them so that the group can form ad hoc ensembles. The course will run alongside our…

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 the course. We encourage informal collaboration with the Baroque and Madrigal summer schools which run alongside this course. For all Benslow Music courses, under 27s…

STANDARD: INTERMEDIATE, ADVANCEDFollowing the success of last year

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

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

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 performance, with the view to both familiarising participants with the technology and also discussing specific performance techniques for looping. Please bring your own electric instrument,…

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 during which we will explore every nook and cranny of the Associated Board Grade 5 Theory syllabus. It will be hard work but Katharine promises…

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 on some of the easier clarinet and piano repertoire. Course members share an informal concert on Sunday afternoon, while an added bonus is the public…

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 examples of some great pianists and composers of piano music.

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 writing down chord sequence from. Anton will also lend his advice on how to

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

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

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 glorious string quintets. He found his stride first with the ambitious B major piano trio which he revised considerably later in life. He also commuted…

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 other

STANDARD: INTERMEDIATE, ADVANCEDPete Cooper

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

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 maintaining calm and composure while working under extreme and very public scrutiny. This course is helpful to anyone, musician or not, who would like to…

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

STANDARD: INTERMEDIATE, ADVANCEDKatharine Bramley repeats her popular course, designed to lead candidates carefully through the requirements of the Associated Board

STANDARD: ELEMENTARYDo you love singing, but only in the shower? Would you like to share with others the joy of singing, the most natural form of musical expression? To explore different types of music and increase your range? This is the course for you. This weekend of friendly group singing will include songs, rounds, and pieces from classical, folk and popular traditions, chosen according to the capabilities and preferences of the group. Ignorance of musical theory and inability to read…

STANDARD: INTERMEDIATE, ADVANCEDBrand new to Benslow, international jazz pianist & composer Marco Marconi leads this course designed for intermediate and advanced players and offers the opportunity to develop their relationship with the spectacular and vast world of Latin jazz. Marco will talk about and demonstrate a journey of Latin rhythms from Brasil down to Cuba including Bossa-nova, Samba and Shoro to Salsa, Clave, Rhumba and Cha

STANDARD: ADVANCEDThe Kerry Camden Advanced Wind Ensembles Course, named in honour of the late, great bassoonist who led it for many years, continues under the highly experienced guidance of horn player Simon de Souza and his expert team of coaches (one for each instrument so detailed help will be on hand for all). The emphasis is on having fun through making music, but course members should expect to be challenged and sometimes, gently, taken out of their comfort zone. We

STANDARD: ADVANCEDThe amazing Fitzwilliam Quartet returns for another exciting visit to Benslow Music to deliver another of their excellent courses. Once again we are seeking up to ten pre-formed string quartets, each of which will receive friendly, individually tailored tutoring from each member of the quartet. There

STANDARD: ADVANCEDThe key elements of Heli Ignatius-Fleet

STANDARD: INTERMEDIATE, ADVANCEDTimothy Barratt leads this new course (due to popular demand) devoted to Impressionism and piano music of the 20th and 21st Centuries. Pianists of intermediate (minimum grade 5) and advanced level are invited to bring along own choice pieces they have been preparing. The workshops will include discussion of style and historical perspective, using examples from a wide range of piano music.

STANDARD: INTERMEDIATE, ADVANCEDJenny Curtis again leads cellists in works transcribed or originally written for cellos in anything from three to eight parts. There

STANDARD: ADVANCEDThe Coull Quartet returns to give its usual friendly, expert advice and encouragement to up to ten pre-formed string quartets. Bring along whatever repertoire you choose. As usual there is also a public concert on the first night of the course at 8 pm, and every course member is automatically entitled to entry. As with other string quartet courses, we now offer the enticing option of staying for an extra day, subject to adequate numbers of participants applying. If…

STANDARD: INTERMEDIATE, ADVANCEDAward winning international jazz pianist and composer Marco Marconi moved to the UK in 2012 bringing both his talent and vast experience. In 2015 he leads this brand new course focusing on Ragtime, analysing different styles and the differences between famous rag-time pianists like Scott Joplin, Art Tatum and Jelly Roll Morton and many others. It will be very interesting to talk in depth about the role of each hand when playing Ragtime music and also how it…

STANDARD: INTERMEDIATE, ADVANCEDDiscover the joy of creating your own arrangements, learn to arrange piano music for ensemble or even for full orchestra, and learn how to convert an orchestral score into a work for small ensemble or piano. We

STANDARD: INTERMEDIATE, ADVANCEDOne of the most admired British composers of his generation, Andrew Toovey is also an experienced, sensitive and inspirational teacher. On this weekend course he advises and encourages, enabling students to find their own voices while developing the sometimes painful skills of self-criticism and self-editing. We

STANDARD: ELEMENTARY, INTERMEDIATEJanet Myatt introduces players, who might come as individuals or as newly established ensembles, to one-to-a-part playing in groups of similar abilities. She