Courses 2024

• The Timetable
  

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  Choosing your courses

  First and foremost, ensure that none of the sessions of your chosen courses clash. Several courses run over more than one session, and the sessions do not always follow immediately after each other. Check the crosses on the timetable carefully. We realise that some courses will clash, but this is the inevitable consequence of offering such a wide range of subjects. You need to decide whether you want to try something completely new, or whether you wish to stick with the familiar. You also need to think about whether you wish to concentrate on one area, or have as much variety as possible. Whatever you decide, you must commit to the courses as timetabled, and attend ALL session Consider your own personal stamina. It could be possible to enrol for courses that fill every session, but you might find yourself exhausted by the middle of the week! There is entertainment of one sort or another every evening, and you could end up having a lot of late nights on top of a heavy schedule during the day. We encourage students to organise their own ad hoc groups, to ensure that they can make the sort of music they want to, even if it isn’t available on the timetable. In the past such groups have included madrigal singing, recorder groups and doo-wap singing. If you think you might be interested in setting up a group of this type, either put a note on the M4P facebook page, or let us have details to put in Summer School News, or put up a notice once you are at the school.

• S - Symphony Orchestra Flute section FULL

  Aims to join together the various instrumental courses. Players of all standards are welcome, and we will try to support and accommodate less experienced players. However, we recommend a minimum playing level of about Grade 5/6. We aim to develop players’ sight-reading ability, so be prepared for some challenging repertoire. For more accomplished players, and for those already playing in orchestras, it will give an opportunity to build on technique and work with a different conductor for a week. We also study a wide range of repertoire and this year hope to study a symphony, in addition to many other pieces, including film music. For brass players, parts will be available in an appropriate key for your instrument. It may be necessary to limit the number of players for some of the woodwind parts if oversubscribed, so early booking is advisable. Percussionists if you wish to play percussion in the Symphony Orchestra please apply for this course (limited to 8).

• SWO - Symphonic Wind Orchestra

  A large ensemble for wind, brass and percussion, playing an exciting and diverse mixture of original works and arrangements to stimulate and challenge. Players of all standards are welcome, and we will try to support and accommodate less experienced players. However, we recommend a minimum playing level of about Grade 5/6. For more accomplished players, and for those already playing in wind orchestras, it will give an opportunity to build on technique and work with a different conductor for a week. Percussionists if you wish to play percussion in the Symphonic Wind Orchestra please apply for this course (limited to 8).

• C - Choir

  Does exactly what it says on the tin! Suitable for those with some sight singing experience, including those of us who have always secretly wanted to sing in a four-part (SATB) choir and those of us who haven’t sung since school (regardless of how long ago that was). We also aim to offer experienced singers and musicians plenty of challenges so there will be plenty of new repertoire to develop your sight-singing abilities. 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.

• BS - Brass + Sax

  This course is open to Brass players and Saxophone players of all abilities and levels of experience. We will rehearse a wide variety of music and musical styles as a large, multi-part group ensemble. Time will be spent working on a number of pieces with the aim of improving each player's music reading, interpretation and technique in a supportive environment where we hope to make noticeable improvements throughout the week. The group will perform some of the music rehearsed in the summer school final concert.

• JB - Just Brass

  This course is open to Brass players of all abilities. We aim to have a mix of both large and small ensemble groups so that most students can experience both. Repertoire can include quartets, quintets and larger ensemble pieces. The tutors will work with the groups in order to help them progress and improve throughout the week working on sight reading, stamina development and enhancing ensemble skills. At the end of the week we intend to perform in one of the concerts as a mass ensemble of all the students on the course. There will also be some opportunity for smaller groups to perform if they wish to. Time will be spent helping individuals progress in their weaker areas within a supportive environment and also time addressing 'next-steps' to continue player development.

• F - Folk

  Songs of Love and Parting
  We will learn and sing songs about love and parting from different traditions as well as writing our own versions set in a modern context. These songs can be about young men going to war or away to sea etc and can have many different twists and turns in the stories.
  Playford Tunes from the English Dancing Master
  We will play a variety of tunes from the Playford collections( 1651-1670) as well as other early music alongside popular traditional dance tunes. These tunes will be arranged with the instruments we have on the course and we will create our own unique settings of them
  Tune Composition We will study and play a variety of French Mazurkas and have a go at composing our own which we will then play as a group and record at the end of the week.
  

  This will be limited to 20 players

• U - Ukulele

  Following last years feedback, we will be running two separate courses for ukulele this year.
  1. Improvers (For any players with basic skills who want to improve ) 2. Advanced ( For players of grade 3 standard and above)
  For players who are not sure where they are in terms of level, please see us at the beginning of the week and we can help you choose the best course to meet your needs.
  I will also upload some examples of the music to my website so that you can get a better idea of the type of music we will be covering. Both courses will now cover songs, playing techniques, analysis, music theory and ensemble arrangements at different levels.
  

  This will be limited to 25 players

• Playing in the Band (Ceilidh)

  This will be an opportunity for instrumentalists to play traditional music as part of a band. The music will be suitable for all playing abilities and any singers or non instrumentalists will have the option of playing percussion parts or easy ukulele chords.

  This will be limited to 25 players

  This is not timetabled and there are no rehearsals. You will be playing for the ceilidh on the Friday night.

• 1ST - 1st Steps in Improvisation

  This course offers an opportunity for students who have little or no experience in improvisation to explore the principles and put them into practice in a relaxed environment. We will look how to decide on a pool of notes that can be applied to a given musical situation primarily using simple modes. This course is designed to be fun and stress free, so we will also look at "Magic scales" that can be used to ensure that the performer is never capable of playing a "wrong" note when improvising.

• CCM - Cha-cha & Mambo FULL

  Ben will be leading a group looking at the roots of the Latin influence on jazz, playing danzons, cha-chas and mambo from the 1940s and early 50s by artists like Machito, Xavier Cugat, Perez Prado and Benny Moré. Plenty of scope for percussionists here, frilled shirts provided.

  This will be limited to 10 frontline players

• CVA - Contemporary Voice A FULL

  In this class, the practice of contemporary singing will be delved in to, exploring not only how to use the voice, but how to develop your individuality and sense of style, to convey your ideas e ectively, to be a fully empowered musician in a band, and to create a meaningful and connected performance. To help improve all round skills, we will focus on songs that have been chosen by the tutor as well as an individual song chosen by each student with which they are already familiar. We will examine emotional motivations, phrasing of the melody, rhythmic feel, harmonic awareness, improvisational methods and performance skills through this repertoire. This class will work towards the solo performances of your chosen pieces and time will be spent on the arrangement of each piece in collaboration with the accompanist. We will also focus on learning about vocal technique and warm ups, practise methods and general musicianship skills. Class limit 8. There are two sessions CVA and CVB both are the same material. Sign up for either NOT both. The class will cover the following topics:

  • Physical and vocal warm-up
  • Voice technique
  • Rhythm work
  • Contemporary phrasing and expression
  • Basic improvisation
  • Choosing repertoire and exploring jazz standards
  • Exploring a variety of interpretations and emotional motivations
  • Using a microphone
  • Creating intros, endings, and simple arrangements that are your own
  • Understanding charts
  • Setting song keys and transposing
  • Band communication skills

  This will be limited to 8

• CVB - Contemporary Voice B FULL

  In this class, the practice of contemporary singing will be delved in to, exploring not only how to use the voice, but how to develop your individuality and sense of style, to convey your ideas e ectively, to be a fully empowered musician in a band, and to create a meaningful and connected performance. To help improve all round skills, we will focus on songs that have been chosen by the tutor as well as an individual song chosen by each student with which they are already familiar. We will examine emotional motivations, phrasing of the melody, rhythmic feel, harmonic awareness, improvisational methods and performance skills through this repertoire. This class will work towards the solo performances of your chosen pieces and time will be spent on the arrangement of each piece in collaboration with the accompanist. We will also focus on learning about vocal technique and warm ups, practise methods and general musicianship skills. Class limit 8. There are two sessions CVA and CVB both are the same material. Sign up for either NOT both. The class will cover the following topics:

  • Physical and vocal warm-up
  • Voice technique
  • Rhythm work
  • Contemporary phrasing and expression
  • Basic improvisation
  • Choosing repertoire and exploring jazz standards
  • Exploring a variety of interpretations and emotional motivations
  • Using a microphone
  • Creating intros, endings, and simple arrangements that are your own
  • Understanding charts
  • Setting song keys and transposing
  • Band communication skills

  This will be limited to 8

• GMB - Giggle Marching Band

  Featuring perambulation and performance, marching bands are all the rage across the country...
  Whether it's traditional New Orleans or one of the many themed bands that exist, everyone enjoys a marching band - they bring the party to you! Richard and Ben will be leading the way with hot tunes from all over, and some choreography if you're up to it. We shall need plenty drummers/percussionists - enthusiasm valued over experience - and all instruments welcome.
  There will be a limit on numbers for this course; your instrument has to be acoustic, portable, and you have to want to move whilst playing :)

  This will be limited to 35 max all instruments

• JR - Jazz Roots

  This course focuses on pre-bebop music and will include repertoire drawn from Dixieland, Blues, Gospel and Ragtime. We will listen to some seminal performances of the time and see how we can best draw from them. Some reading will be necessary for the ragtime component and in general the course would suit an early improviser or someone with some classical skills looking to branch into jazz. The ability to interpret a simple chord sequence would be helpful to anyone attending, although the principles will be dealt with during the week. There will also be some playing by ear. Above all it will be a lot of fun!

• MBB - Mingus BIg Band

  Richard Ormrod leads a large-ensemble look at the music of American composer and jazz bassist Charles Mingus, featuring all his trademarks - Blues and Gospel lines and rhythms, group improvisation, New Orleans melodies and beautiful ballads. Richard will be arranging a selection of Mingus's material specially for the group, covering all periods of his career and looking at the different styles involved. All instruments welcome, there will be lots of reading and opportunities for keen soloists to improvise.

  This will be limited to 20 frontline single note instruments

• MJMB - Modern Jazz - Monk and Beyond

  Pete Rosser walks you through the music of his favourite jazz composer - Thelonious Sphere Monk - featuring lots of his tunes and compositions by others inspired by Monk. Lots of playing and opportunities for jazz solos with extensive support from our newest jazz tutor.

  This will be limited to 10 frontline players

• SJJ - Surviving Jazz Jams with Julian

  This session will cover the fundamental repertoire of a jazz jam night, including Blues, Rhythm Changes and a number of go to jazz standards. We will cover strategies for playing the changes, keeping the form, memorising material and also some basic practical issues such as signalling your intentions to the band, how to deal with getting lost, how to get the best out of a house trio and how to build a solo effectively As part of this process we will listen to classic solos over standard tunes by masters such as Miles Davis, Chet Baker and Dexter Gordon

  This will be limited to 16 frontline players

• SSO - The "Settle-ites" Ska Orchestra FULL

  Following on from the success of last year’s Swing & Jive Orchestra, a new double session looking at 60s dance music from Jamaica! Ranging from Bluebeat and Ska (Jamaican Jive) to Rocksteady (Jamaican soul), the group will also look at how to improvise idiomatically within the style. All players welcome - improvisers and non-improvisers alike - and we'll be performing on Thursday evening for dancing!

  This will be limited to 16 frontline single note players

• OMG - The Other Music Group

  The Other Music Group (OMG) is a course in which we play pieces which probably wouldn’t find a snug fit in any of the huge array of summer school courses at M4P – hence the title the Other Music Group. Of course having offered such a description, immediately many common factors between the OMG repertoire and just about any of the courses in the summer school rapidly become apparent. After all it’s all about making music! So perhaps it would be more useful, in an attempt to define what you might encounter, to say we tend to play pieces written recently, using any style of notation, which is often quite minimal, as appropriate. We’ll embrace new technology and sometimes not use it at all. Flexible scores form the heart of the course. This means absolutely any instrument and voice (mikes will be provided) is welcome – the first time we meet on day one is always an OMG moment in itself when we discover exactly what we have to (literally) play with!
  We will be painting from a unique sound palette and ultimately our sound world will depend on the range instruments which enrol on OMG. Some of the pieces will involve pre-recorded soundscapes, some pieces will be entirely acoustic and others might involve some sound processing. If this all sounds interesting, please sign up and bring your best listening and performing ears for perhaps a little aural reboot - OMG!

• G - Composition - cryptic creations

  Single group session and one-to-one tutorials
  Max Class 10 students
  This course is aimed at early stage and developing composing students who will benefit from a quite tightly defined brief. After a group introduction on the first day, the course will be taught through either one-to-one tutorials of about 20 minutes or a whole group session each day supplemented with support at other times during play-throughs, try-outs and performance.
  The starting point this year will stem from the notion of the musical cryptogram. This is a sequence of musical symbols, often pitches, which can be interpreted as reference to an extra-musical text by some logical relationship. Some of the most common examples of musical cryptograms result from composers using ciphered version of their own names or the names of their friends. Part of the opening session will examine some examples of composers using this technique which, in turn, will act as a springboard for new work of your own. After that the course will continue with a combination of one-to-one tutorials and whole groups sessions to suit our progress through the week.
  The M4P Summer School timetable presents a wide array of exciting and enticing courses. If you are considering enrolling on this course please resist the temptation to fill your entire day with courses! To get the most out of Composing Skills it is crucial that you leave sufficient space free during each day for time to develop your composing. This will often mean going off to find a quiet place to work and write for several timetable sessions a day.

• CC - Clarinet Choir

  A course exploring the many and varied works for clarinet choir including original works alongside effective arrangements. We hope for as full an ensemble as possible so do bring auxiliary instruments. There will be the opportunity to try other members of the clarinet family. This course is more suitable for grade 5 players and above.
  Directed by George Sleightholme

• SC - Saxophone Choir

  A course for all saxophones. Repertoire will include original works for saxophone choir as well as recent and popular arrangements of well-known works. There may be opportunity to try other sizes of saxophone.
  

  This will be limited to 20 players

  Directed by Stephanie Reeve

• CW - Chamber Winds FULL

  A course to develop ensemble skills in small one-to-a-part groups focussing on listening, leading/following and rehearsal techniques. Confidence in music reading is essential for this course as ensembles will rehearse independently as well as being visited by one of the tutors for coaching each day. The focus will be on wind quartets and quintets and while we aim to use original music some arrangements may be used to allow for numbers and variety of instruments. Please do bring your own music if you have anything you would like to try. Ensembles may combine to try octet and dectet repertoire halfway through the week. Please fill in the student information form with details of your current playing level and previous chamber music experience. Tutors may contact students before the start of summer school to ensure that they are placed in suitable groups. Informal performances to be given in the final session. Less advanced players may like to try Woodwind Ensemble.
  

  This will be limited to 30 players

  Directed by the Woodwind team

• WE - Woodwind Ensemble FULL

  A larger directed woodwind choir exploring symphonic movements and lighter arrangements alongside original works. As a flexible ensemble parts are adapted to sit numbers applying and there will be advanced and intermediate parts available for most instruments. While there will be some variety of repertoire these rehearsals will eventually focus on two or three pieces for the final performance, with the aim of developing techniques such as listening and playing with good ensemble skills. There will be a limit on numbers accepted onto this course. For smaller, one-to-a-part groups please see Chamber Winds.
  

  This will be limited to 25 players

  Directed by Jenni Britton

• BSE - Baroque String Ensemble

  This new course brings together many elements of chamber playing with an exploration of the wealth of Baroque music written for strings.
  This flexible group will begin the week playing as a large, conductor-less ensemble led by the tutors. As the week progresses, and as numbers allow, there will be opportunities to break out into smaller chamber groups to work on specific repertoire. Concerti Grossi will give the opportunity, for those students who wish it, to take on a solo role in the ensemble.
  Work during the week will include exploring Baroque technique on a modern instrument, leading and following in the group, building listening skills and rehearsing and creating a performance with no conductor.

• SO - String Orchestra

  Please note this course is now a double session, periods 2 & 3.
  This course aims to 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.
  Sessions typically start with a warm up, focussing on a particular aspect of instrumental technique (e.g. tone production) or ensemble skills (e.g. matching bowing style in a string section) before moving on to rehearse a variety of string orchestra repertoire. This year we have expanded to a double session, allowing time to take on some larger scale works and hopefully spend some time divided in sectional rehearsals.
  A range of music will be studied during the week: some more simple pieces to really concentrate on quality ensemble playing and some more difficult repertoire to stretch ourselves – or just simply for the experience!

• D - Dalcroze Euhrythmics

  Instructed by Helen Dawson
  Dalcroze Eurhythmics explores the elements of music (rhythm, pitch, phrasing, form etc.) through whole body movement. Exercises might involve stepping a rhythm, feeling a steady pulse in various parts of the body, or mapping out the phrases of a piece of music in movement.
  Objects such as balls, hoops and scarves are used to help the body feel specific movement qualities: a ball might be bounced to feel the weight of the downbeat, or rolled to express the duration of a note. A scarf might be used to show the line of a musical phrase. Through these exercises a physical feeling for music is developed, increasing rhythmic confidence, developing co-ordination and control, and building skills of communication, expression and creativity.
  Course in session 7
  This course will take place in the dance studio and is for those who wish to dig a little deeper into Dalcroze Eurhythmics. Over the course of the week we will explore pulse, rhythm, pitch, phrasing and form in a variety of ways and work on developing co-ordination and musical awareness. Besides using movement we will use simple percussion instruments and we will make a brief exploration of sol-fa (singing with do-re-mi – please don’t worry if you don’t usually sing!).
  Some activities will be differentiated to allow those with more experience to stretch themselves, and there will be an opportunity, for those who wish it, to try playing/singing for some of the movement exercises.
  Please wear something you feel comfortable moving in and be prepared to work with bare feet or in socks that have grips.

• CSS - Classical Solo Singing

  This is a class focusing on the classical music repertoire - Opera, Oratorio, English song, Chanson and Lieder. This will be an invigorating, but fun class where we investigate together all the elements which make a performance (vocal technique, language, posture, interpretation etc). Please bring repertoire that you are familiar with but also use it as an opportunity to think outside the box - try that piece you’ve always wanted to have a go at but never had the courage to do so. Please bring enough repertoire to cover all the week as ideally everyone will perform every day. Also please bring copies for our wonderful pianist.

• ComC - Community Choir

  This is your opportunity to join a Community Choir. This course caters for a wide range of experience, All welcome. No experience of singing is necessary. The focus is on enjoying singing together, singing your heart out and having fun. We will look at a range of repertoire - spirituals, rounds and easy part songs taught by ear with no sight reading required. Come and join us and have a hoot!

• OTP - Opera/Music Theatre Performance

  This is a performance based class that explores singing, acting and, even, some movement. We learn a wide range of musical material over the week from opera, music theatre and contemporary song and then we create our own special show that we present at the end of the week. The main aim of the course is to create our very own unique Company and, in the process, help develop new skills, extend creative horizons, and most importantly have a lot of fun and laughs. No stage or singing experience is needed nor do you have to prepare anything for the week- just turn up. Be curious and give it a go!

• P - Percussion Ensemble

  So much more than just "CRASH, BANG, WALLOP!", percussion ensemble takes an accommodating and extremely musical approach to the diverse and exciting world of all things hittable. Improve your listening skills and build your confidence by playing from existing percussion scores as well as exploring your creative side with the opportunity for collaborative and group devised work. Music reading is advantageous, but by no means essential! Performances will take place at the end of the week. A great course for building on your rhythmic abilities, gaining confidence in your performance and/ or exploring a world outside of your regular musical endeavours! Please note that numbers on this course are limited to 18 places on a first come, first served basis.

• Orchestral and Band Percussion

  If you like the sound of performing in a percussion section, and want to improve your abilities, this course will give you the skills to survive and thrive in an orchestra or wind band percussion section. Please note that it is a requirement that to play percussion within the Symphony Orchestra or Symphonic Wind Band you must enrol on those individual courses as a Percussionist. Because of this, course numbers will be limited to the various ensembles. Also please note there will be no percussion ensemble within this course; please sign up for the separate Percussion Ensemble course where numbers will not be so limited. The sessions for Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Wind Band are mostly full ensemble rehearsals. If you are a keen beginner, please let us know in advance, and we can utilise one tutor to overlook the section, and another tutor to do some sectional/more private work if required.
  There will be opportunities to look at percussion parts from the orchestral repertoire and gain experience in sight reading. Whilst experience in playing percussion is not mandatory, it is helpful.
  The tutors are flexible, and students should be too. Parts are changed around depending on abilities. This ensures you are not out your depth, and fun/enjoyment guaranteed!
  The course will give both group and individual instruction on the following instruments: bass drum, snare drum, cymbals, timpani, xylophone and glockenspiel, tambourine, triangle and miscellaneous percussion. Instruments will be provided, however students are encouraged to bring any percussion instruments, sticks and beaters and any percussion music they may wish to study during the week. The course tutor will be on hand within the percussion sections to guide students through the music and to give advice on techniques to improve students playing abilities and build confidence towards the final performances at the conclusion of the week.