Exploring national styles in suites and concertos by a range of composers.
ABILITY: Skilful, Confident
Resident: £572 Non-Resident: £435 (25% off for under 27s) Code: 26/325
Members priority booking opens at 9am on Tuesday 17 June.
General booking opens at 9am on Friday 11 July.
For details on how to become a Member to take advantage of early booking, see here.
This course runs from 5.30pm on Monday 15 June to 4pm on Thursday 18 June 2026.
What is the course about?
We are delighted to welcome back Theresa Caudle (violin), Mark Caudle (cello) and Claire Williams (harpsichord) to lead this thoroughly joyful course.
We will be working at A=415 and the course is open to participants on period instruments (we will accept modern set-up stringed instruments with gut strings and baroque bows). We can accept twelve violinists, four viola players, six cellists and one double bassist, plus two harpsichordists and one theorbo player in the continuo team. Players must be of advanced standard, confident sight-readers, and willing to rehearse in some detail. For string players some experience of playing baroque music on period instruments is preferable but not essential. Harpsichordists and theorbo players should be confident reading from figured bass.
Tutor websites: www.canzona.org.uk / www.burghclerebaroque.com /
www.baroqueweek.uk www.clairewilliams.co.uk
What will we cover?
We will explore:
- Repertoire from around Europe (to be announced)
- Articulation and phrasing
- Ornamentation
- Rhetoric - in terms of understanding the structure and how to deliver in performance
- Tempo, rhythm and pulse
- Recognising the character of different movements and learning how to make technical choices to bring it out effectively
- Working with non-equal temperament tuning
- Continuo skills
What will we accomplish? By the end of this course you will have
Discovered new repertoire and will have learnt to play more communicatively and expressively thanks to your growing assimilation of baroque performance practice.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Standard: Confident, Skilful
How will the course be taught, and will any preparation be required?
The course will centre around tutti rehearsals led by all three tutors. Familiarisation of the music before the course is encouraged, but not compulsory.
Will music be provided in advance of the course?
Any technically demanding music will be available on this website a few weeks before the course, especially any solo or continuo parts. There may also be music to sight-read whilst on the course.
Is there anything I need to bring?
We are playing at A=415 so please bring your baroque instrument, or if you don’t have one then please use gut strings on your modern instrument and a baroque bow. Don’t forget your spare strings.
What previous participants said about this course…
“I couldn't rate it highly enough. It was really excellent in every way.”
“The course was extremely well organised. It was really challenging for me, but most enjoyable, and the atmosphere and encouragement from both staff & students were very supportive.”
“The tutors gave much insight as to how to interpret and play the works giving opportunities for participants to play different parts and to express their opinions.”