THE

CONDUCTING FOR TEACHERS - STOP PRESS

Were delighted that Justin Fung will be leading the new Conducting for Teachers course at half term (18 - 21 February). Justin, a dynamic young conductor who enjoys a flourishing career here and in the Far East, still has room for a few more students. You dont have to be a teacher to enrol but we ask you to bear in mind that youll need to look at a short list of set works before you arrive to gain most benefit. Please ask for details.

UZZ
JANUARY 2014
Welcome to the January 2014 edition of The Buzz just a little later than we had hoped. As always, theres a lot going on at Benslow Music, and Im pleased to say that we have started the year with a real bang, as the excellent recruitment levels that we enjoyed in the last quarter of 2013 seem to be spreading over into the first quarter of 2014. Theres of course a long way to go and still lots of room on many courses, particularly the smaller ones, but were all hoping for a prosperous year after the slightly disappointing first three quarters of 2013. Theres certainly much to look forward to. On Friday 7 and Sunday 9 February (at 8 pm and 2.15 pm respectively) the Allegri Quartet conclude their Beethoven cycle, with Beethoven scholar Robert Hanson also offering a pre-concert talk at 5 pm on the Friday. Then were all getting very excited about the baroque opera project, which will entail the enormous challenge of presenting a mini-staging of Handels Theodora in Peter Morrison Hall in the week after Easter. Auditions for the solo roles take place at the beginning of February, and theres a long list of brilliant young singers eager to experience the Benslow Music magic. We also welcome the world-renowned lutenist David Miller, who gives a recital of music by Silvius Leopold Weiss on Friday 4 April as the opener to the

annual and now well-established LuteFest, held in association with the Lute Society. Were excited too by the celebrated Digby Fairweathers debut as a Benslow Music tutor in the Jazz Ensembles course from 10 to 13 February and world-renowned composer Simon Holts first composing course here from 14 17 April. Plus of course more of our successful Speed Dating courses for string players and pianists. We now know for sure that it works see inside. Our optimism for 2014 is however tempered by our sadness at having to say goodbye to our General Manager for the past three and a half years, Graham Rolaston. More on that inside, but Id like to place on record my personal appreciation of all Graham did for us. Im already missing those weekly pub lunches which we enjoyed at the Orange Tree where we discussed Benslow Music matters at a healthy distance from the premises, he with a robust pint of Fosters in hand, me with an incautious Pinot Grigio, and the both of us firing often quite mad ideas at each other. Finally a word about the brochure for July to December. For a number of reasons this is being published slightly later than expected. But were very happy to let people know the dates of regular courses and well be publishing the brochure online as soon as it becomes available, hopefully at the beginning of February. Our new booking arrangements for members should help everyone. Stephen Pettitt Director of Music

www.benslowmusic.org

plAces AVAilABle
We still have places available on the following January and February courses. Alexander for All
(Code 14/211, 28 - 30 January)

Early Stages Piano for Adults

(Code 14/212, 28 - 30 January)

Wind Ensembles with the London Myriads

(Code 14/213, 31 January - 2 February)

Classical Piano

(Code 14/214, 31 January - 2 February)

Harpsichord Maintenance Day

(Code 14/001, 1 February)

Folk Songs from Near and Far

(Code 14/305, 10 - 13 February)

The quality of the Fidelios teaching is second to none, and their courses regular attract eager non-professional players from far afield. As well as coaching groups individually, they will also present a stimulating workshop and offer insights into how they rehearse and prepare the widely varied repertoire which they play. Those who have already benefitted from their teaching at Benslow Music rightly feel extremely privileged. Their concert programme is typically eclectic. Besides Schumanns brilliant Piano Trio No 2 in F, Op 80 (1847) and Korngolds appealing Piano Trio in D, Op 1 (1910) it also includes Sir Harrison Birtwistles fifteen-minute Piano Trio, written in 2010. Its a work many will find perhaps surprisingly unscary and serene given Birtwistles reputation as a maker of the complex and difficult.

Advanced Baroque Recorders

(14 16 February, Code 14/216)

Oboe Day (15 February, Code 14/002) Conducting for Teachers

(18 21 February, Code 14/307)

speed dAtiNg coURse does the JoB

When we created a course called Speed Dating for Strings, a few eyebrows, it must be said, were raised. What on earth was going on down at Benslow Music? But the title was meant to reflect the light-hearted nature of the course, where everyone is asked to enter into the spirit of the event, migrating from group to group hour by hour and testing what, if anything, might work musically and personally and what might not.

Antonis Hatzinikolaus Guitar School

(21 -23 February, Code 14/218)

Grade 6 Theory and Beyond

(21 23 February, Code 14/219)

In addition we need more bass singers for Julian Williamsons Choral Trail
(21 -23 February, Code 14/217) On most courses we can usually squeeze in a few more so even if the course youre attracted to isnt on this list why not ask in any case?
INFO@BENSLOWMUSIC.ORG OR BOOK YOUR PLACE

T:01462 459446 tO

EXTRA FIDELIO TRIO COURSE

Were delighted to announce that the worldrenowned Fidelio Trio, hailed as one of the finest chamber ensembles of its kind, will be giving another of their excellent courses for advanced string and piano chamber groups (we are happy to entertain trios, quartets, quintets and sextets) from Monday 28 April to Thursday 1 May and will give a public concert on Tuesday 29 May at 8pm (Code 14/FID).

Well, already we have a musical marriage made in heaven. Vivian, Adrienne, Ann and Katie met for the first time on last Octobers Speed Dating for Strings course. Something gelled, and even though two of them live in York and two in the south of England they are now an established and regular quartet and made their first appearance at Benslow Music as such at the New Year Quartets course in January. Congratulations to all of them, and we wish them many years of happy music-making together.

iNteRNAtioNAl RecitAl seRies

An enticing series of concerts of music given by world class artists. Programme details are available on our web site. TICKEtS 12 I BOX OFFICE: 01462 459446 ALLEGRI QUARTET: BEETHOVEN V AND VI FRIDAY 7 FEBRUARY At 8PM AND SUNDAY 9 FEBRUARY At 2.15PM

COMMENTS oN RECENT COURSES FOUNDATION STRING CHAMBER MUSIC

I just want to say how much I enjoyed the Foundation Chamber Music course this week. Never having done anything like this before I was unsure what to expect. I was made to feel extremely welcome by all the staff, tutors and other course members. All a high standard. What a treat to have a real fire. I thank all Benslow Music staff and tutors for their friendly attitudes to make a happy time in every way. Staff could not be more helpful and kind. A great course, a very nice group, excellent teaching and a feeling of real progress made. The accommodation and food were lovely. The tutors were all superb. I have learnt a huge amount and am very keen to play in string quartets again. I very much hope to come on another course some time next year. Always a pleasure to come to Benslow Music.

TWO MORE CONCERtS IN tHE ALLEGRIS BEEtHOVEN CYCLE.

COULL QUARTET FRIDAY 7 MARCH, 8PM

A CRASH COURSE IN OPERA

PROGRAMME INCLUDES WORKS BY HAYDN, GORECKI, BLOCH AND BORODIN

Thank you for an excellent first visit. I hope to return. Inspiring, thank you. What an appetiser. I am hungry for more.

MAGGINI QUARTET SUNDAY 16 MARCH, 8PM

ADVENTURES IN PIANO AND CELLO REPERTOIRE

A very rewarding, positive experience and well worth the long journey from Scotland.
PROGRAMME INCLUDES WORKS BY HAYDN, BRIttEN AND BRAHMS

DAVID MILLER - LUTE FRIDAY 4 APRIL, 8PM

THE KERRY CAMDEN ADVANCED WIND COURSE

One of the best courses Ive done here. Excellently paced, great variety of music, fine tutors and conductors.

ORCHESTRAL OBOES
Benslow Music is informative, friendly and motivating
A PROGRAMME OF WORKS BY SYLVIUS LEOPOLD WEISS

GROUP QUARTETS WITH NIC FALLOWFIELD AND JENNY CURTIS

This course was perfect in every way. It was lovely to hear in the concert the pieces wed been working on. Really good mixture of sessions, helpful advice on technique.

CONCERtS tAKE PLACE IN PEtER MORRISON HALL, BENSLOW MUSIC, BENSLOW LANE, HItCHIN HERtS SG4 9RB

GOODBYE GRAHAM

important work in the Coach House, establishing two new rooms suitable for our physically impaired guests and converting two bedrooms on the first floor into a single en suite room. All these projects Graham pushed through with great determination, recognising that guests now rightly demand certain minimum standards. He was also an enthusiastic advocate for the re branding which has proved so successful in presenting Benslow Music as a forward looking and modern institution. So thank you, Graham. We all wish you a long and happy retirement.

We were sad to have to say goodbye in December to Graham Rolaston, our General Manager for the past three and a half years, having sworn on his appointment that he would only be a stop-gap for six months. Under Grahams watch, we have seen considerable improvements in the fabric. Gone is the gloomy, worn dcor of the entrance hall, replaced now by a welcoming, light, elegant and fresh look. Our reception area is now fit for purpose, with a professional looking reception counter rather than a table in a corner. Many of the Main House bedrooms have been refurbished, as has the route to those on the second floor. And of course following the establishment of the new Instrument Loan Scheme headquarters on the ground floor of the Pamela Maud wing, we did

No prizes for guessing which of these likely lads, members of the Coventry-based sixties group Beat Preachers, is our Graham

BRiNg ANd SiNg CARl ORffs CARmiNA BURANA - 9 mARch

A MEMORIAL tRIBUtE tO JOHN RAILtON tO tHANK HIM FOR SHARING HIS LOVE OF MUSIC FOR tHE
WHOLE OF HIS LIFE

Clive Simmons, Johns friend and colleague at North Herts College, conducts this Bring and Sing event, which also features Kate Elmitt (Johns performing partner in their Three Hands at One Piano duo) and Clifton Hughes at the piano and soloists Christine Bunning (soprano) and Adrian Boorman (countertenor). First rehearsal: 2pm to 4pm at Edgeworth House, Arlesey Second rehearsal: from 5 pm at Peter Morrison Hall, Benslow Music, Hitchin Performance: 8 pm at Peter Morrison Hall, Benslow Music, Hitchin Performers/Participants: 15 (children 7) for the entire event. Observers at 8 pm only: 7 (children 3) Please confirm your place by the end of January. T: 014623 622222/E: elmitt@btinternet.com Proceeds will be donated to Johns chosen charity, Cancer Research UK. All professionals are donating their time free of charge. Scores are available on the day for a 10 refundable deposit. Bring a picnic and spread the word.

Benslow Music, Benslow Lane, Hitchin, Herts SG4 9RB T: +44 (0)1462 459446 I E: info@benslowmusic.org I W: www.benslowmusic.org