Double Reed Chamber Weekend

Join this supportive and relaxed weekend led by tutors oboist Anna Cooper and bassoonist Anthea Wood. Open to all double reed players (oboe, cor anglais, bassoon contrabassoon) the course is tailored to develop your ensemble playing. 

While exploring a diverse range of music from the Renaissance to the 20th and 21st centuries, you'll enjoy music-making in a mixture large and small double reed ensemble and single instrument groups. You'll have the opportunity to work on your sightreading and listening skills while gaining confidence through playing with others. 

The course is designed to improve a range of skills including sightreading, listening skills and ensemble playing, By the end of this course you will:

• feel more confident playing in a chamber music setting.
• better understand playing in different genres and styles.
• have gained tips and tricks for approaching ensemble playing.

You will explore a wide-ranging repertoire in mixture of ensembles - large and small, single and combined instruments. Session will be tutored with some independent working.

The course will finish with an an informal play-through of pieces you've encountered during the course to celebrate everything you've learned and share with other participants.

Players of oboe, cor anglais, bassoon and contrabassoon are warmly welcomed. Participants are encouraged to bring more than one instrument if you wish to. 

The course is designed for players at the Confident and Skilful levels, in particular working at Grade 7 level or above. Please see our Ability Levels Explained for further details. 

Players will be expected to play one to a part. 

Bassoonists must be comfortable in reading tenor clef.

Some music will be provided in advance to your prepare for the course, with the remainder shared during the course. 

In addition to you instrument(s) and spare reeds, you are very welcome to bring your own music for informal music-making outside of the course sessions.