Consorting Viols

This much-loved course is designed for individual participants and will focus on some of the rich repertoire of sixteenth- and seventeenth-century viol consort music. The tutors will help you develop your playing and listening skills, and will explain the structure of the music and how to better articulate it through the application of historically appropriate techniques. The ability to sight-read a range of standard English consort repertoire is a must.

Bursaries

We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Joy Dodson Music Fund of the Viola da Gamba Society, and are able to offer three fully-funded places to viol players aged 32 or under to musicians playing at confident of skilful level. Click here for more details.

We also offer bursary support to participants of all ages to those who need them. Please see our Bursaries page for more details.

• English viol consort music repertoire for 3 to 6 viols.
• Viol music from other parts of Europe, from the 16th to 18th century.
• Occasional larger scale sessions, perhaps with voices.

By the end of this course you will expand your knowledge of the large repertoire for viols in consort and its musical structure. Develop your knowledge of viol playing techniques to help you make a more beautiful sound. Meet new players and gain experience, and be supported, in adapting your playing to different groups and repertoire.

Most of the sessions will be in small groups of three to six, playing one to a part. Groups will have a tutor for at least half of each session, and sometimes longer. Occasional sessions will be bigger in scale with full-time tuition. Tutors rotate between groups, and groups will change twice each day.

Some music will be provided by the tutors during the course, though participants should bring their own music, with scores if possible, for any pieces they would particularly like to be coached on. Helpful resources: IMSLP has a wide range of parts and scores. Benslow Library has a good selection of viol consort music which may be borrowed during the course.

You will need to bring Viols, with spare strings. Music (as above). A folder or card to put behind single sheets of music. Tuning meter/phone app. Stand lights if eyesight is poor.

There is no specific preparation needed for this course, except to make sure that your instrument(s) is in good playing condition and able to be tuned quickly.

Image courtesy of the Viola da Gamba Society.