Workshops - What happens?
Workshops are led by a tutor, normally someone quite well-known. Music is provided on the day, and the tutor leads us through, making suggestions for better ensemble and better interpretation. Different workshops call for different forces: singers only; singers plus ‘soft’ instruments (recorders, viols, etc); loud instruments only; and so on. There’s no audition - the music is not too demanding and most people can manage it well enough. At about 4pm we usually finish with a play-through - an informal concert, at which friends are welcome to come and hear what we’ve been doing.
Some workshops are held in fine old buildings, such as Hexham Abbey or the Archbishop’s Palace in York.
Some workshops are held in fine old buildings, such as Hexham Abbey or the Archbishop’s Palace in York.
What can I play?
Don’t feel you can’t come because you haven’t got the ‘right’ instrument! Plain ordinary instruments are welcome in some of our workshops. It’s more about how you play it.
But we do use early instruments for most of our workshops because they suit the music well, being less romantic and mostly a bit quieter. And they don’t remind us of Beethoven while we’re trying to play Byrd. NB: We normally play at concert pitch (A=440Hz).
Recorders are well in force at most workshops. They come in all sizes, from little school recorders to big, deep, expensive ones. The little ones are usually too shrill for our workshops, but anything bigger is welcome, whether wooden or plastic. The nicest recorders for renaissance music are the special wide-bore ones, which are loud and chiffy.
Viols likewise come in different sizes: the bass works best at our workshops.
Singers should use little or no vibrato. You will be singing from music, possibly in Latin.
Modern violins are rather loud and need to be restrained. To get nearer the baroque sound, try playing without vibrato, taking short gentle strokes with most notes detached, aiming for a dance feel, like a traditional player. Welcome at some workshops (especially ones that include dance) - best to check first.
Renaissance fiddles and rebecs are quieter still. They will be very welcome at dance workshops and many others.
Classical and folk guitars will be welcome at most workshops, but there won’t be a guitar part - you will be playing from the continuo part or even from a bass line and guessing the chords.
Modern flutes and oboes are sometimes welcome - definitely check first. Early flutes and folk-style flutes will be welcome at most workshops, especially if you can control the intonation. Shawms and dulcians will be welcome where the workshop calls for ‘loud winds’.
But we do use early instruments for most of our workshops because they suit the music well, being less romantic and mostly a bit quieter. And they don’t remind us of Beethoven while we’re trying to play Byrd. NB: We normally play at concert pitch (A=440Hz).
Recorders are well in force at most workshops. They come in all sizes, from little school recorders to big, deep, expensive ones. The little ones are usually too shrill for our workshops, but anything bigger is welcome, whether wooden or plastic. The nicest recorders for renaissance music are the special wide-bore ones, which are loud and chiffy.
Viols likewise come in different sizes: the bass works best at our workshops.
Singers should use little or no vibrato. You will be singing from music, possibly in Latin.
Modern violins are rather loud and need to be restrained. To get nearer the baroque sound, try playing without vibrato, taking short gentle strokes with most notes detached, aiming for a dance feel, like a traditional player. Welcome at some workshops (especially ones that include dance) - best to check first.
Renaissance fiddles and rebecs are quieter still. They will be very welcome at dance workshops and many others.
Classical and folk guitars will be welcome at most workshops, but there won’t be a guitar part - you will be playing from the continuo part or even from a bass line and guessing the chords.
Modern flutes and oboes are sometimes welcome - definitely check first. Early flutes and folk-style flutes will be welcome at most workshops, especially if you can control the intonation. Shawms and dulcians will be welcome where the workshop calls for ‘loud winds’.
Young People and NEEMF |
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We are delighted to encourage young people to come to our workshops, but may request that they are accompanied by a responsible adult. Please contact the workshop organiser to discuss arrangements. You can read the NEEMF Child Protection Policy here.