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The Clarinet Summer School 2004

A review by Joanna Brown

Many thanks to the organisers of the 2004 Clarinet Summer School, which once again provided us all with a wonderful week of clarinet-related activities and opportunities!

I can't emphasise enough how much I have learnt from attending this course - the tutors do their utmost to enable everyone to achieve their full potential, and are unfailingly friendly and approachable.
The 'masterclass' format which was used in at least one session every day gave us all the chance to play to and listen to others, and to absorb a great deal of valuable information - even if we may not have realised it at the time!

The 'one-to-one' sessions, when we were given the opportunity to book some individual time with the tutors, were always extremely helpful, and I feel that in this respect the tutors actually go well above and beyond the call of duty - individual tuition at no extra cost does not generally feature on any other music courses I've been on!

One of the week's highlights for me was our clarinet choir's performance in the foyer of the Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool on the final evening of the course, which gave a welcome focus to our ensemble efforts. It's only now when I come to write about it that I realise how full our days actually were. Although nothing was compulsory, most people were keen to attend all the sessions available, including a film and talk about clarinet production (a real eye-opener!), a talk on clarinet-related health issues, a demonstration of the principles of the Alexander Technique, a CD listening session comparing different playing styles and an inspirational tutors' concert.

I'd recommend this course highly to anyone who has an interest in the clarinet - I shall certainly be back next year for more!

Joanna Brown

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