Baroque Chamber Music (2 Nights)

Violinist Theresa Caudle leads a team of outstanding tutors in this course designed to support pre-formed ensembles in deeply exploring 17th- and 18th-century chamber music for wind, string and continuo. 

Across the weekend, you will receive coaching with each of the tutors, receiving insight on baroque repertoire and style, advise on techniques that will help stretch your group and improve your performance and interpretation of your chosen works.

By the end of this course you’ll be able to play more communicatively and expressively. You’ll receive coaching on phrasing, articulation and expression, and build a greater understanding of baroque performance practice.

The course is designed for pre-formed chamber groups, with each group focusing on their chosen repertoire throughout. The tutors will rotate around the different groups in order to contribute all their different skills and perspectives and you will receive coaching for at least half of each session.  

Your weekend will finish with an informal concert, offering the opportunity for groups who wish to share a piece they have worked on with the wider course participants. 

The course will be taught at A=415. 

The course is designed for baroque wind, strings and continuo players in pre-formed groups playing at the Skilful level. Please see our Ability Levels Explained for further details. 

Group must be a minimum of three and maximum of six players. 

Participants should play baroque instruments, although string players on modern instruments are welcome provided you use gut strings (E, A and D for violin; A and D on viola and cello), baroque bows and are willing to tune to A=415. 

Each group is expected to provide their own choice of music, if possible, bringing a score for the tutor to refer to when coaching. You do no need to confirm your chosen repertoire in advance. 

The tutors may also bring a selection of suitable repertoire. The Benslow Music Library has a selection of baroque chamber music which may be borrowed during the course or in advance by Benslow Music Members. In addition, IMSLP has a wide range of scores and parts.

It is useful, but not obligatory, to have worked together in your group on at least some of the music ahead of the course. 

Please let us know if your group wishes to bring a keyboard instrument with you. There will also be a number of harpsichords and spinets provided.