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The Clarinet Summer School 2005 A review by Julia Middleton The Clarinet Summer School July 23rd-29th 2005 Liverpool Hope University Report from the perspective of a jazz saxophone and clarinet teacher Being in the midst of preparing for an ABRSM diploma in clarinet teaching and having spent the last 13 years studying and performing jazz saxophone I applied for the week’s clarinet course feeling very much in need of guidance, inspiration and tuition in all areas, especially as I did my Grade 8 in 1986! I was not disappointed – the course was everything I was hoping for and a lot more. As a teacher, it is always refreshing and inspiring to become a pupil and observe different teaching styles as well as being able to enjoy absorbing (and sometimes challenging!) new ideas and information. Andrew Roberts, course leader and founder gave the course a kick-start with the indispensable ice-breaking games which led us into an extremely informative and stimulating class on embouchure and breathing technique for the clarinet. Throughout the course Andrew showed great energy and passion for his subject as well as a highly developed understanding of all aspects of technique, some of it more advanced than we were accustomed to, such as circular breathing and multiphonics. He communicated his knowledge effectively and clearly with use of visual aids as well as demonstration on the instrument. Almost all of us had some remedial work to focus on regarding embouchure and in my case I was able to make significant improvements in tone and projection almost immediately. We were all offered a tutorial with both Andrew and Leslie Craven which enabled us to work on our technique further. These lessons were both encouraging and invaluable, with both tutors showing a real personal interest in helping us learn. Having purchased Leslie’s book ‘Instant Help for Playing and Teaching the Clarinet’, I immediately felt very excited about the progress I would soon hope to make, both as a teacher and a player. We were also fortunate to have Leslie Craven direct the clarinet choir and lead master classes, as well as a well-planned session on reed making and finishing. Leslie, like Andrew, was able to share some of his vast experience and knowledge with us and during the week he inspired us all with his patience, humour and focus in all the activities he led. In the clarinet choir rehearsals for a concert in the World Museum, Liverpool, emphasis was placed on the importance of professionalism and discipline, and all aspects of working as an ensemble, such as careful listening, balancing the harmonies, tuning and tone. With pieces as varied as the overture to ‘Cosi fan tutte’ and arrangements by Paul Harvey we worked on the subtleties of interpretation and feel, facilitated by Leslie’s extensive orchestral experience which added to the interest and enjoyment of the sessions. Leslie also gave an informative and theatrical (!) class on Cameo pieces where music ranged from the ‘blood and guts’ of Spanish pieces, to the lightness of Ravel. Performances were immediately enhanced as Les underlined the importance of time and rhythm, and also worked on areas such phrase shaping and tonal variation. We were also enthused by Victoria Soames Samek who was invited to teach on the course for two days. Victoria’s teaching was vibrant, warm and filled with interesting and amusing anecdotes to support her ideas and views. During the masterclasses on the set pieces (Grade 8 ABRSM) the focus was on interpretation and the importance of capturing the audience’s attention by feeling that we are letting a story unfold rather than simply playing a series of phrases. We discussed what we felt the composer’s intention was in each case, looked for different voices within a piece (particularly clear in the 3rd movement of the Poulenc Sonata), and worked on bringing out the emotional content by using tonal variation and dynamics. Having played jazz for many years I found the masterclass sessions with both Les and Victoria particularly stimulating and it is undoubtedly useful to observe different teaching styles. Victoria also gave a class on concert presentation and etiquette which involved intense learning but also a great deal of fun. We all became acutely aware of how professionalism on stage, in tandem with one’s pianist, can enhance a moderate performance and how lack of it can severely detract from high level playing. Furthermore it reminded me that basic performance skills should be taught to pupils right from the outset so that confidence for exams and concerts is gradually built. The tutors, along with John Wilson, the vastly experienced accompanist and pianist were able to display their performance and playing skills in a stunning and thoroughly enjoyable concert, where they were able to highlight their individuality as clarinettists. Other stimulating and interesting classes included Professor Alastair Watson’s talk on music and the brain, Dr. Chris Minnagh’s advice on how to avoid injury and strain when playing our instruments, Eddie Ashton’s class on repair and maintenance and Wolfgang Lohff’s revealing talk on clarinet manufacture. We were also introduced to Alaistair Logan’s music@site scales/sight-reading/aural skills computer programme; a must for all teachers. Andrew’s cd listening class was a particular ‘ear opener’ for me having been immersed in jazz for so long and I felt really inspired to tune my ear to the different styles of clarinet playing. The week ended with an informal concert ranging solos to quartets accompanied by David Walters who had been working with us all week. We very much appreciated his good humour, skill and patience and this clearly paid off as the final concert highlighted improvements in students’ playing and performance skills. The course has proved invaluable as preparation for my teaching diploma and since my return home I can hardly stop playing thanks to the inspiration from all the tutors and some practical changes such as a new mouthpiece, a strap and a higher thumb rest position; clarinet playing no longer equals pain – it’s bliss! Julia Middleton |
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