The Course
Now in its 45th year, this course offers a relaxed, supportive and friendly environment for recorder players of all abilities to make music.
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. A particular feature of the NRC is the interesting range of music available to be studied. Whilst many classics from the established recorder repertoire are played at the NRC, there is always an impressive amount of innovative and newly composed music specifically for recorders.
Repertoire from the Medieval period to the present day is studied in a variety of ensembles from recorder orchestras to suit players of all abilities to Trio Sonatas and one to a part classes.
Burton Manor College is a stunning location for a recorder course, providing a creative and stimulating environment for making music. A grade II listed Arts & Crafts building set in 30 acres of beautiful grounds, Burton Manor is one of the largest short-term residential colleges in the UK with excellent facilities for adult education. Although the Manor is close to both Chester and Liverpool it has the feeling of a rural retreat with superb views over the Dee Estuary and the Welsh hills. The NRC has exclusive use of the Burton Manor for the duration of the course.
The dimensions and acoustics of the playing rooms are excellent with views over the grounds. All the playing rooms are located in the Manor itself, thereby minimising walking between sessions. This feature is particularly welcome in inclement weather! The Manor has a licenced bar, free wireless internet access and free internet access on the college PCs. Catering is of a high standard and all meals are served buffet-style, giving course participants the opportunity to eat at their own pace. In fine weather many take their meals out onto the sunny terrace adjacent to the dining room. Afternoon tea is always a particular treat at Burton Manor with delicious home-baked cakes. 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 enclosed timetable. Almost all sessions are open to all course participants - simply turn up to the class of your choice and play. Players are welcome to attend different tutor’s classes in each session every day, should they wish. For example, you could go to Laura’s Chill Out Zone in Session Four on Wednesday and Paul’s Say it, Hit it! on Thursday. The music list for the course details the music to be studied in each session on each day of the week. All course participants are sent a music list in January 2010.
At the 2010 NRC, the only classes which are not open to all course participants are the ‘Classic’ and Chamber Recorder Orchestras and Alan Davis's Masterclasses. If you would like further information about participating in Alan's Masterclasses please indicate this on your enrolment form. For both the ‘Classic’ and Chamber Recorder Orchestras desks are allocated prior to the course. Players in these orchestras need to attend the daily rehearsals and to perform in the course concert on the Monday evening. If you would like to play in either or both of these orchestras please complete the appropriate section(s) on the enrolment form.
The timetable is planned to ensure that players of all abilities* are catered for in every session. The only exception to this is Session Six, the final session of each day, when 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 for advice 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 of players will find challenges on the course.
Even more orchestras in 2010!
Recorder orchestras have been a big feature of the NRC since Dennis Bamforth first pioneered the modern recorder orchestra at the 1973 course. Orchestras are an increasingly popular type of recorder ensemble and it’s not hard to see why. Large scale orchestration gives recorder players the opportunity to be part of exciting textures and colours that quartets and quintets simply can’t achieve. At the NRC you can choose to play in no less than four different recorder orchestras:
‘Classic’ Recorder Orchestra (Session Two)
conducted by Alan Davis: runs on similar lines to established orchestras like Manchester, Phoenix, Scottish, Wirral etc. There are several people playing each part, apart from Sopranino and Descants 1 and 2 which only require one player in order to balance the orchestra.
Chamber Recorder Orchestra (Session Three)
conducted by Pam Smith: essentially a one-to-a-part orchestra, now in its third year at the NRC. Rehearsals are intense and challenging but also fun and incredibly rewarding.
For both ‘Classic’ and Chamber orchestras players need to be at least Grade 8 standard, attend the daily rehearsals and play in the concert on the Monday night of the course.
Easy Recorder Orchestra (Session Four)
conducted by Steve Marshall: the runaway success story of the 2009 NRC, in 2010 Steve will once again be taking us through music which is carefully chosen so that even if you are at grade 2 playing standard, you will have a thoroughly enjoyable time.
Jazz & Blues Orchestra (Session Five)
conducted by Steve Marshall: an exciting innovation for the 2010 NRC, this orchestra will trace the history of Jazz & Blues at a playing level similar to ‘Classic’ recorder orchestra.
For both Easy and Jazz & Blues orchestras, there is need to sign up in advance – just turn up and have fun. You are welcome to play treble one day and tenor the next if you fancy or stick to bass all week. It’s up to you.
Having said all this,
if you are not a fan of recorder orchestras (and there are many NRC participants who fall into this category) there are always plenty of choices in every session. So if orchestras aren't your thing, you won't find yourself twiddling your thumbs for an hour whilst everyone else is playing.
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.