Course in Instrumental Music

Fancy revisiting some of the familiar treasures as well as exploring the more unusual aspects of early music? This may be just the opportunity you need!

Instrumental Music is one of the principal sections of the Chalemie Summer School. Players of sackbuts, curtals, cornetts, recorders, viols, harps, hurdy gurdys and other early or suitable modern instruments are invited to explore the huge range of instrumental music from the 15th to the 19th century. Pieces for small ensembles, both of loud and of soft instruments, and larger works for full renaissance band will be included.

As well as participating in the ‘loud wind’ consort, double reed players (shawms and curtals) will meet for a series of specialist sessions under the expert guidance of Tim Bayley. Brass players (sackbuts, slide trumpets, and cornetts) will likewise have their own specialist sessions to explore the great repertoire of 17th century canzonas written for these instruments. Our brass specialists are Katie Hodges and Tamsin Cowell.

Strings – including harp and lute, as well as viols and violins – will be led by well-known lutenist Matthew Spring. This group will concentrate on the wide range of music for ‘soft’ ensemble. It will also provide opportunities for recorder players to try out other consort instruments such as the viol in a supportive context. In addition to ensemble music we can also offer specialist tuition on particular instruments such as hurdy gurdy or lute (Matthew Spring), renaissance harp (Tim Bayley), or pipe & tabor (Bill Tuck).

A further speciality of the Chalemie Summer Course is the playing of natural trumpets. Led by expert trumpeter Katie Hodges this will take place from Monday to Thursday.