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Chamber music AND TOASTIES!THERE is always one week of my summer holidays that I look forward to the most: the Young Grittleton Chamber Music course. And after being on the course for five years, I’m still coming back with a lot the friends I made on my first week!
The course’s chamber repertoire ranges from Haydn to Shostakovich string quartets and from the Brahms
sextets to the Mendelssohn octet; and the string orchestra has enjoyed pieces such as St Paul’s Suite by Holst and Capriol Suite by Peter Warlock. Two years ago even saw the
world premiere of a piece written specifically for the Grittleton chamber orchestra.
Over the years the course has hosted some exceptional talent. For younger players the required standard is Grade 6 though older players are often well past Grade 8. There are also opportunities for the musicians on Young Grittleton to play with the adults on the senior course in Ensembles Galore. One perceptive Grittletonian noted: “In Grittleton there isn’t an age divide. Some of the youngest members are good friends with the older ones”. |
Although the playing schedule is busy, it’s not all work and no play. There is ample opportunity for socialising and fun. During the afternoon break we are free to use St Mary’s fantastic facilities, such as a heated indoor swimming pool (complete with floats), all-weather tennis courts and football pitch. We can also venture into the picturesque village of Calne to do some shopping or simply relax by the river. Grittleton also has evening entertainment with a Talent Show, in which everyone (including the staff) gets involved; a Barn Dance; and a concert held by the tutors from the senior course. “I can’t pick a highlight – the whole course has been absolutely amazing! I’ve had so much fun. The only down side has been early mornings.” A fairly typical feedback quote gives a good flavour of participants’ feelings. The Grittleton staff are truly exceptional. The music tutors put a lot of time and effort into making sure we are put into the right quartet so that we get the best experience possible. On the first three days of the course we play through a huge
volume of repertoire with many different people so we get to know
each other and the works. On the third day we have a vote to show our
preference as to what we want to play and with whom. The tutors in turn
do their best to arrange our groups in line with this preference.
Obviously, it doesn’t always work out, but we are always happy with where
we end up.
The pastoral staff, Karen and Victoria, should not be forgotten.
They are possibly the most important people on the course,
making sure we get up in the morning in time for rehearsals and
sending us to bed at night. Their most important role however is as
official toastie-makers. Every night after rehearsals/social events we
are welcomed back to the boarding house by a stack of fresh toasties.
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Young Grittleton is a chamber music
course designed for young string players aged between 11 and 18. Two five day residential courses take place at St Mary’s School in Calne, Wiltshire,
every August where all the musicians receive chamber music tuition. We rehearse and perform together as a string orchestra and in small ensembles, culminating with an informal concert on the final day.
