Clarinet Summer School

The Clarinet Web Site

Timetables

Advanced Schedule
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Intermediate Schedule
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PROPOSED COURSE TUTORS

Andrew Roberts
Course Founder and Director
Antony Pay
International Soloist
Dr Kevin Murphy
Head of Woodwind & Clarinet Professor, Wells Cathedral School
Janet Crossley
Clarinet teacher and past student of The Clarinet Summer school
Caroline Wheeler
Clarinet teacher for Liverpool Music Support Service
Dr Christopher Mimnagh
Head of Knowsley Primary Healthcare Trust & Medical Advisor to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Chris will be on hand once again to help alleviate and, in some cases, suggest ways to prevent many of the problems that musicians at all levels can suffer.

" Musicians can be their own worst enemies, they love what they do, live life to the full, practise to achieve perfection, then wonder why the guarantee expires on their body parts. My advice is ‘give up now’! However, for those of you hell bent on the masochistic life of a clarinet slave, my practical alternative advice will be available during The Clarinet Summer School!"
Dr Christopher Mimnagh

INTRODUCTION

For over a decade The Clarinet Summer School has been very proud to have a roster of top International guest tutors.

[Image: Antony Pay] This year we are fortunate to have the distinguished British clarinet player Antony Pay (pictured right) as a guest tutor. Tony has a prolific career which has encompassed all styles of clarinet playing from contemporary to classical performance; he is also in demand as a teacher in many countries.

2008 will be the 11th year of The Clarinet Summer School, yet it retains a fresh approach each year by considering different aspects of clarinet playing. The course provides excellent tuition in advanced clarinet playing from top European specialist teachers.

This year the emphasis will be on ensemble playing, from duos to full clarinet choir, with the chance to play on many different clarinets from E flat to Basset Horn and perhaps some early clarinets.

The Advanced course

THE BASICS!

The well established and successful structure of the course will cover various topics including building a good technique, everything from forming an embouchure to style of performance through workshops, presentations and masterclasses.

One of the most successful parts of the course is the opportunity to listen to live and recorded performances by many and varied players for students to develop their own keen ear and concept of style and tone. Students have brought some interesting recordings along for others to hear and found that there is a wealth of performers and styles still waiting to be discovered.

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TIME TO LEARN & TIME TO PLAY

Scheduled time for private practising provides space to evaluate the new information that flows during the week, with further opportunities to create music together in ensemble groups.

Encouraging students to form quartets, trios and duos to play together regularly will be a prominent feature of the course. Practice rooms are available in addition to the use of the private en-suite bedrooms (for residential students). This is one of the few courses to offer the luxury of single rooms with private facilities. Special diets can be catered for with advance notice.

Every effort will be made to give everyone on the course some one-to-one tuition.

Classes on the harmony clarinets (Bass, E-flat and Basset Horn etc.,) are included in small groups, broadening the appeal of the course to the tutors and students alike.

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PERFORMANCES

The main emphasis of the course is communication, especially in performance. An opportunity to develop these skills with the help of the experienced tutors and accompanists is available to all participants. Performers often take the accompanist for granted, but here you will learn to fully appreciate how much you rely on them when you have the opportunity to test your new skills during the informal midday concerts.

The course tutors will present an Informal Concert on Sunday 20th July (open to the public), when non-playing friends and family can attend and perhaps take time to visit Liverpool in its year as the European Capital of Culture 2008 www.liverpool08.com

Fabio Di Casola uses his Swiss charm during a workshop	Behind the scenes the trade stands allow time to try something new
Practising the “finger breath” between sessions	Kevin Murphy conducts the clarinet choir in the Atrium at the World Museum Liverpool

Join in the fun of ensemble playing, in both large and small groups. Budding conductors, composers and arrangers all actively encouraged!

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INSTRUMENTS & REPAIRS

Wolfgang Löhff is on hand to help with fine tuning the instruments

During the week, the trade stands will have one of the largest collections of clarinets available in the UK including models from Buffet, Leblanc, Selmer and some customised instruments from Lohff and Pfeiffer of Denmark. For further information about this please read the section from the link How to choose an instrument.

Wolfgang Lohff will be on hand to give demonstrations of his work and to undertake some repairs and overhauls. Wolfgang Lohff can offer customised tuning for any clarinet players during the course, when booked in advance.

The Clarinet Overhaul Service will also available after the course. There is currently a waiting list so advance booking is required.

REED ADJUSTING

This is perhaps the most vital part of any player’s equipment. Learning to fix reeds that don’t work will not only save money, but will improve consistency as a player more than anyone would believe possible.

Playing on properly balanced reeds is essential to any clarinet player. During the course this essential aspect is covered to give players the confidence to go away and use many of your rejected reeds!

To get you started check out this link

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The Intermediate Course

Janet Crossley will be leading a two-day course for students of Grade 4-7 on Saturday morning 19th through to Sunday evening 20th July 2008.

All students have the opportunity to play in ensembles and workshops which introduce some technique and performance related ideas. Students on the Intermediate Course are invited to attend the Tutors concert on the Monday evening free of charge.

During the course the students have a chance to hear some of the most popular pieces from the Associated Board list for the relevant Grades given by the tutors. A great opportunity to hear live performances of the set works, with advice on presentation and preparation for Grade Exams.

Students on the advanced course will be given the opportunity to try out their teaching skills. Several full-time teachers have found this to be just what they needed as a refresher. (click this link for review from a past teacher on the course).

A draft timetable for the 2008 course will be available in February 2008. Students interested in attending may contact Andrew Roberts via this website to suggest the areas they would like to see covered on the course.

HOW OTHERS SEE US?

Past students have enjoyed past courses, here is what they have to say...

Andrew, I have finally have a few minutes since returning home to send a short email to you regarding the Summer School. I can't thank you enough for a wonderful week of meeting new people and focusing in on clarinet specific issues in a way that I have never experienced before.

I have taken away a great deal of knowledge and information which has increased my clarinet-playing skills incredibly. I can hear a substantial difference in my sound compared to how I played before attending the course.

Thanks again for a wonderful experience and I look forward to being able to attend another Summer School whenever you end up putting one on again.

Brad Gresham
Campbellville, Ontario, Canada.

I attended The Clarinet Summer School in 2000. Then, I had some fundamental embouchure and technical problems. Now I am training with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. The course speaks for itself- START SAVING. “

Ciaran O’Donnel
Belfast, Northern Ireland

Please click here to read the report on The Clarinet Summer School 2005 by Julia Middleton

Please click here to read the report on The Clarinet Summer School 2004 by Joanna Brown

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The Clarinet Summer School can only function with the generous support of its sponsors:

LOCATION

The course is held on a site just one mile (15 minutes walk) from the city centre of Liverpool, which is presently the European Capital of Culture in 2008. The city is changing fast, and is a vibrant centre for the arts, shopping and other entertainment.

Hope at Everton is just 3 miles from the end of the M62 motorway, or just a few minutes from Lime Street rail station or 20 minutes by taxi from Liverpool John Lennon Airport. (flights from many European destinations via EasyJet, Ryanair and Wizz)

For a full road map refer to the website http://www.hope.ac.uk/MAPS/ColmapEverton.pdf (447Kb)

International students attending can also fly into Manchester International Airport (35 miles), just 45 minutes away by taxi.

2008 course fees

Advanced Course

£329 inclusive (Full board accommodation and tuition).
£210 Non residential rate, but inclusive of meals and tuition.
Extra night B&B (per night) £29.00

Intermediate Course

£80.00 inclusive of meals (non-residential)
Extra night B&B (per night) £29.00

Payment may be made by credit card.

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APPLICATION FORMS

Advanced course

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Intermediate course

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For further information please contact:

Andrew Roberts
36 Nicander Road, Liverpool L18 1HY, UK
+44 7968 555534