reachyourtarget audience

THE

UZZ

With every edition of the 68 page

Benslow Music Course Brochure we
set aside a limited number of spaces
for advertisers. With a print run of
12,000 and a mailing list of 9,000 why
not consider advertising in our next
brochure. E: vicky@benslowmusic.org

july 2015
Welcome to the July
edition of The Buzz.
Our latest brochure for
Jan-Jul 2016 is currently
on its way to Members
and will be sent to nonMembers by the end
of July. Booking opens
to Members for most
courses from 9am
on 6 July, and to nonMembers from 9am
on 3 August. There is
currently a PDF of the
brochure available on the right-hand side of our
homepage if you want a web-based preview and
there is still time to become a Member and so
benefit from priority booking, please call our team
for details.
We are again operating a ballot system which
Members should now be used to. The ballot was
introduced in 2013 in response to requests for a
fairer way of allocating spaces for our high-demand
courses. These are flute and clarinet spaces on
some chamber courses and the courses for preformed string quartets (see page 1 of the brochure
for details). In the past Members have been
frustrated after waiting up to a few hours on hold
during booking opening day, only to be told spaces
have been filled. And some simply dont have the
flexibility to take time off work to call. Therefore,
in order to give a better service to Members and
to offer a fair system of allocation, we decided to
introduce the ballot. Applications for the ballot
can be sent any time before 5pm on 19 July, for
the ballot to be taken on 20 July.Applicants will be
informed of the outcome on the same day.All we
need is either a booking form (in the back of the
brochure) or an email to info@benslowmusic.org
simply stating the course, who is booking, room
requests and instruments. If successful, we will

then make a provisional booking for you and get

in touch to request payment. Please be assured
that the ballot is taken completely at random in
order to make things are fair as possible. If you
have any comments regarding the ballot system,
please do let me know - fane@benslowmusic.org
Each year we run a programme of Summer Schools
designed for players of the highest standard.These
courses attract both our regular clients as well
as younger students, often during their summer
break from university/college. If you, or anyone
you know, are interested in these courses please
do get in touch soon. There is an automatic 25%
discount for under 27s and if applicants are in
need of further financial assistance, bursaries can
be available. We have spaces on the cello, piano,
clarinet, conducting, harp, flute, oboe and bassoon
summer schools. If you need further information,
please dont hesitate to get in touch.
As most of you already know, every few weeks
I look ahead to the courses coming up and send
targeted emails to the particular instrument
groups on our mailing list. I hope you all find this
useful. From our side it is effective, particularly
when we have courses where we need particular
instruments to create the right balance. That
said, we have a couple of new courses which
could be of interest to everyone. These are the
John Playford weekend and Julian Williamsons
appreciation course Music of the New World,
both during the same weekend 7-9 August (see
over). Rather than sending an email specific to
these courses, Ive included details in this issue of
The Buzz. Hopefully you will be interested, or if
you know of anyone who may be please do pass
the message on.
I hope there is plenty to attract you in the rest of
this years programme and in our latest brochure.
We all look forward to seeing you here soon.
Fane Henderson Head of Music

www.benslowmusic.org
photo Bill Hiskett

john PLAYFORD WEEKEND

music of the new world

Tutors: Paul Hutchinson, Karen Wimhurst

Fri 7 - Sun 9 Aug 2015
Standard : Intermediate, Advanced
In 1651 when the country was a Republic under
the rule of Oliver Cromwell, public dancing was
banned. Against this unlikely backdrop, John
Playford published The Complete Dancing
Master, a book of the most popular dance tunes
composed by such eminent musicians such as
Henry Purcell and Jeremiah Clark.There were a
further 18 editions - the last produced in 1728
by John Young. Some of these melodies may be
familiar, such as Lilli Burlero, Portsmouth and
Hole in the Wall, but there are many lesserknown gems which Karen Wimhurst and Paul
Hutchinson will bring to your attention. Come
and explore this fantastic musical heritage
learn the tunes, play them in ensemble,
reinvigorate them and experiment with them!
All instruments welcome.
Resident: 270 Non-Resident: 195
Code: 15/264

Tutor: Julian Williamson

Fri 7 - Sun 9 Aug 2015
Standard : All
From its early flowering in religious music to
the gradual development of instrumental and
theatrical works, the growth of music in America
is a fascinating story. From extraordinary figures
like Heinrich and Gottschalk through the
innovative ideas of Charles Ives and George
Gershwin, to the work of Aaron Copland,
Leonard Bernstein, John Cage and others this
course will track eachstage of a remarkable
evolution. We will look at how it gradually
outgrew its European influences and gave the
world many new sounds - the spiritual, ragtime,
jazz and much more, which in turn would exert
their own influences on music the world over,
from Dvok and Delius, through Rachmaninov
and Milhaud, to Stravinsky and Britten.
Resident: 270 Non-Resident: 195
Code: 15/266

choosing a saxophone mouthpiece

Guitarists can bore the pants off you discussing strings, it is said;
with drummers its sticks and saxophonists its mouthpieces.
So, prepare to be de-bagged were talking mouthpieces!
A significant percentage of players have never been educated
in the dark arts of the mouthpiece maker.We still see grade 8
players using plastic Yamaha 4c mouthpieces, unaware of the
benefits of a mouthpiece upgrade.
The first consideration is the tip opening (the gap you blow
through). Makers use different labelling systems but the most
common is 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 etc. Student saxes are usually supplied with a 4, seasoned players will more likely
use a 6, 7, 8 or higher. A higher number indicates a bigger gap allowing increased airflow resulting in a
fatter sound and a greater dynamic range. Blow hard through a No.4 and a soft reed will eventually bend,
stopping the air flow (and the note!) so you hold back and the result is a reduced dynamic range.
Why not start on a more open mouthpiece? A bigger gap means less air pressure at the reed tip to
make it vibrate. Consequently, you have to blow harder requiring a stronger diaphragm and embouchure
to maintain a seal around the mouthpiece. Its all very tiring and easy to lose control! Build up those
muscles gradually by increasing reed strength if you can comfortably blow a strength 3 reed on a No.4
mouthpiece its a good time to try some bigger mouthpieces.
Different materials, tone chambers and baffles produce infinite possibilities and the best advice is to get
out there and try them. It may mean a day out at a good sax store (& naturally we hope its ours!) but it
will be fun, educational and may well move your playing on to the next level. Sax.co.uk.

international summer
schools
We still have places available on the following
Summer Schools.
International Viola Summer School
(Code 15/IS1, 27 - 31 July)

International Cello Summer School

(Code 15/IS2, 27 - 31 July)

International Piano Summer School

(Code 15/IS3, 27 - 31 July)

International Clarinet Summer School

(Code 15/IS4, 27 - 31 July)

International Oboe Summer School

(Code 15/IS5, 3 - 7 August)

International Bassoon Summer School

(Code 15/IS6, 3 - 7 August)

International Composing Summer

School
(Code 15/IS7, 3 - 7 August)

International Flute Summer School

(Code 15/IS8, 6 - 10 August)

International Conducting Summer

School
(Code 15/IS9, 14 - 17 August)

International Harp Summer School

(Code 15/ISA, 17 - 20 August)

On most courses we can usually squeeze in a few more
so even if the course youre attracted to isnt on this list
why not ask in any case?
info@benslowmusic.org or
book your place

T:01462 459446 to

RECENT course comments

FANTASTIC FLUTES
Zo is a real gem of a tutor - so helpful,
informative and encouraging.
I appreciated the positive nurturing approach
and the efficiency of organisation of the tutor.
Zo is always inspirational and encouraging,
whatever ones ability
PARTNERS IN SONG
Both tutors were extremely supportive and
encouraging, I learnt a huge amount.
Superb tutors and excellent tuition. Please
repeat.
Maximum use of the time and constructive.
Excellent tuition.
CELLO DAY
Inspirational. Jenny imparts passion to her
pupils and the desire to reach even higher!.
FLUTE CHOIR
The course was delivered with lots of
humour and enthusiasm!.
Please invite this tutor back again.
The tutor was very positive and encouraging
with a good range of music.
Playing solidly with lots of different pieces
was great, with no concert or performance
pressure.
BEYOND THE SCORE
Heli is wonderful as ever!.
Stimulating and flexible. Enjoyed the
structure.
This course is superb. So inspiring. I will
definitely come again.

private events
Are you a Member of a choir, orchestra or other
musical group? Do you have a group of musical
friends who want a get-away? Are you a tutor
who would like to run their own course at
Benslow Music outside of the usual programme?
If so wed love to hear from you. Building on
the success of private bookings such as the
annual Easter House Party and courses such
as TablaTastic, which fit in around our current
programme, were keen to add more of this kind
of activity.
We can offer competitive rates for part or full
site hire (with all the usual hospitality) and if
booked far enough in advance we can work your
event around our timetable. If you are interested
in exploring the possibilities please get in touch
with Linda Steeples linda@benslowmusic.org
who will be happy to help.

wigmore HALL 3 - 5 JULY

Hugo Ticciati Artistic Director

Monteverdi in Historical Counterpoint

ROSE CONSORT OF VIOLS

Tuesday 14 July, 8pm

In Nomines, Motets and Grounds: A survey of music

viols in English sources from John Taverner to William Lawes

for

A NIGHT OF JAZZ WITH PAUL ESHELBY

AND FRIENDS
Thursday 23 July 8pm
Celebrating reflections of the musical past in the present, Hugo
Ticciatis pioneering O/MODRNT festival at Confidencen, Ulriksdal
Palace Theatre, in Sweden explores the relationships between the
work of old composers and the artistic and intellectual creations of
modern culture. O/MODRNT, Swedish for un/modern, comes to
Wigmore Hall to present Monteverdi in Historical Counterpoint.

An

evening of stunning improvisations and

standards in an informal jazz club atmosphere

jazz

PHILIPPA DAVIES flute

JAN WILLEM NELLEKE piano
Friday 7 August, 8pm

The Virtuoso Flute: Works

and Piazzolla

by

Boismortier, Faur, Schulhoff

Tickets 12 I Box Office: 01462 459446

or online at www.benslowmusic.org
Pre concert dining 18 -

includes a two course

meal and a glass of wine or soft drink.
free entry to most concerts for under 27s and
carers accompanying a disabled ticket holder.

Celebrating reflections of the musical past

in the present, Hugo Ticciatis pioneering
O/Modernt festival in Sweden explores
the relationships between the work of old
composers and the artistic and intellectual
creations of modern culture. O/Modernt,
Swedish for un/modern, comes to Wigmore
Hall to present Monteverdi in Historical
Counterpoint.
Monteverdis sensuous arabesques merge with
the vibrant physicality of Argentinian tango;
400-year-old bass lines inspire extemporized
jazz; Orfeo, the original modern opera, is
reinterpreted with a postmodern twist;
Schoenbergs tonal-atonal revolution is
twinned with the Old Masters modal-tonal
paradigm shift; finally, Monteverdis aesthetic
credo music is the servant of the words
resonates in contemplative works by Prt,
Tavener and Vasks.
Evening concert deal:
FREE tickets for under 25s / 5 for under 35s
10% discount for all telephone bookings
quoting O/Modernt Friend. T: 020 7935 2141

Venue: Peter Morrison Hall, Benslow Music,

Benslow Lane, Hitchin, Herts SG4 9RB

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Benslow Music, Benslow Lane, Hitchin, Herts SG4 9RB

Registered Company no 408404 I Registered Charity no 313663
T: +44 (0)1462 459446 I E: info@benslowmusic.org I W: www.benslowmusic.org