Advanced String Chamber Music

Spend a few days in this intensive course aimed to get you playing and learning a wide range of chamber music. Covering different combinations of players from trios to quintets and beyond, the Tedesca Quartet will offer technical and performance coaching, joining in the playing where helpful to offer different perspectives and experiences.

To ensure you can make the most of your course, Nic, Clare Richard and Jenny will choose carefully select music that will give a range of opportunities for the make-up of players. 

Through the coaching on this course you will: 

• Discover and learn a wide range of string chamber music
• Work on and improve your sightreading skills
• Explore stylistic interpretation of different repertoire
• Improve your ensemble playing skills
• Receive technical tips and tricks
• Learn rehearsal strategies to help you approach the music

Each session you will be placed in a new ensemble group, sightreading and exploring set chamber works, although there will also be opportunities play repertoire of your choice.  Tutors will allocate pieces and parts appropriate to each participant.

The tutors will be on hand to offer coaching, support and guidance, with each group spending at least part of a session with a tutor. Space is also given for groups to explore music and apply learning independently. 

This course is designed for string players who are playing at the Skilful level. Please see our Ability Levels Explained for further details.  

Players should have confident sightreading and ensemble skills to allow you to work on pieces in depth. Experience of playing chamber music or having played in a good amateur orchestra is useful, but not essential. 

Violinists need to comfortable having a go at both first and second violin parts,

The tutors will review applications to ensure that no-one is left struggling with the demands of this course. 

The repertoire list for the course will be shared in advance so that your can take some time to familiarise yourself with music, although detailed preparation is not required. 

Sheet music will be available during the course. Ahead of the course, we recommend using IMSLP, a wide-ranging online resource of scores and parts. You will also find a range of music in the Benslow Music Library available to borrow during the course or in advance by Benslow Music Members.