The Course
The Northern Recorder Course was founded in 1966 by Dennis Bamforth and Colin Martin and has grown to become one of the foremost recorder courses in the world. Repertoire from the Medieval period to the present day is studied in a variety of ensembles including Renaissance Band, Multi Choir, Recorder Orchestra and one to a part playing. There is a large choice of tutors and music in each playing session, allowing you to tailor the course to suit your individual interests. A particular feature of the NRC is that the full-time tutors teach for a maximum of two courses in a row, thereby ensuring that the course always feels fresh and vibrant with innovative classes. This is reflected in the interesting and unusual range of music available to be studied, complimented with classics from the recorder repertoire.
The NRC moved to its new venue at Burton Manor College in 2007. A grade II listed arts and crafts building set in 30 acres of stunning grounds, Burton Manor is one of the largest short-term residential colleges in the UK with excellent facilities for adult education. The NRC has exclusive use of Burton Manor for the duration of the course. Although the Manor is close to both Chester and Liverpool it has the feel of a rural retreat with views over the Dee Estuary and the Welsh hills. This stunning location provides a creative and stimulating atmosphere for making music.
The dimensions and acoustics of the playiing rooms are excellent with views over the beautiful grounds. All the playing rooms are located in the main House, thereby minimising walking between sessions. This feature will be particularly welcome in inclement weather. The Manor has a licensed bar, free wireless internet access and free internet access on the college PCs. Catering is of a high standard with meals consisting of both continental and cooked breakfast, a hot and cold buffet lunch and a four course dinner. Course participants can choose from a variety of residential and non-residential packages to suit their individual requirements. For further details about Burton Manor please visit their website at: www.burtonmanor.com
The Structure of the Course
The course is designed to allow you to tailor the timetable to meet your individual musical interests. Each day is divided into six playing sessions as detailed on the timetable. All sessions are open to all course participants and there are no auditions for any classes. Players are welcome to attend different tutor's classes in each session every day, should they wish. For example, you could go to Helen's Fantasias Galore class in Session Five on the Friday and Janice's Alternative Wind class on the Saturday. The full music list for the course details the music to be studied in each session on each day of the week, thereby allowing players to select which classes they would like to attend. A music list is sent to every applicant in January 2008.
The only classes which are not open to all course participants are the two Recorder Orchestras. For both orchestras desks will be allocated prior to the course. Orchestral players are expected to attend daily rehearsals and perform in the Student Concert on the Monday evening. Orchestral experience is not a prerequisite for either orchestra but all players need to be at least Grade 8/ advanced standard. Chamber Orchestra players also need to be confident in playing one to a part. If you would like to play in either or both orchestras, please fill in the appropriate section on the enrolment form.
The timetable is planned to ensure that all abilities of players* are catered for in every session. The only exception to this is Session Six, the final session of each day, where on non-concert evenings all the course participants including tutors and staff come together to play. In these sessions players of more modest ability benefit from sharing a part with several strong players.
* To get the most out of the course it is recommended that players are at least Grade 2 standard. You are welcome to contact Justine Spence if you are unsure of your playing standard. Classes are provided for players of more modest ability (up to about Grade 4 standard) with highly experienced and empathic tutors. These classes are marked with an asterisk on the timetable. At the other end of the scale even the most proficient players will find challenges on the course.
New for 2008!
The NRC has an enviable reputation for innovation and the 2008 course continues this tradition. There are many exciting new classes including:
Taking it Easy at the NRC - classes for players of more modest ability: whilst the NRC enjoys its reputation as a creative environment for high-quality music making, this might have been a bit of a deterrent for players with modest technique. This is unfortunate because for the past few years as much thought has gone into what would make the course enjoyable for grade 2 or 3 players as has for the grade 8 plus players. Classes marked with an asterisk on the timetable are especially designed for grade 2 to 3 level players and tutors have been chosen who have extensive experience in teaching adults of modest ability. The massed evening playing sessions offer the opportunity to sit in the safety of several strong players on the same part whilst enjoying being part of a wonderful sound.
Minimalist Technique with Steve Marshall: an opportunity to explore several flavours of minimalism using both new compositions by Steve and recorder-friendly adaptions of established works.
Recorder Care and Maintenance Classes with Brian Blood: if you've ever thought that your recorders might benefit from a little more TLC than merely a quick wipe before they go back into their cases then this class will be useful.
One to one lessons with Ruth Hayward: all course participants, irrespective of playing standard, are welcome to sign up for a thirty minute individual lesson at no additional charge to the course fee.
Chamber Recorder Orchestra conducted by Pam Smith: this is one of the most exciting projects the NRC has piloted since Dennis Bamforth launched the first ever recorder orchestra in 1973. This new form of ensemble will comprise of eleven players forming a one-to-a-part orchestra. New repertoire has been specially commissioned for the NRC from many leading recorder composers. It is anticipated that this ensemble will be extremely rewarding both to play in and to watch at the Student Concert.
Further Information
If you follow the link to the archive pages, we are gathering together material from past courses. You will currently find reviews from previous years, lists of tutors, music lists, and shortly to be added, programmes from concerts. We hope that this will give you a better idea of what happens on the NRC.