Catherine Black "the cello ensemble course"

Introduction to the course

In sixteenth century Venice, it was common practice for a composer to reset their vocal music for an instrumental ensemble.

This course for cello ensemble follows that tradition and is based on faithful arrangements of a wide range of some of the most beautiful and inspiring sacred and secular vocal music from the Renaissance and Baroque eras. The musical settings by Catherine are of Italian, English, French, Spanish and German writers: the soaring spirituality of Tallis, Palestrina and Byrd rubs shoulders with the drama of John Dowland and Weelkes.

The arrangements are from three to eight parts and given the ranges within the whole, makes it possible to mix standards, so relative beginners (around Grade 2 standard) can play gorgeous music with more advanced players. The more experienced cellist can also move parts and gain a much deeper understanding of the music and their role within it.

Whatever age you are, come and experience some of the most sublime music.

Summer School aims

August 2008 is the third Summer Course for Unsung Heroes which now has a following from all around the country and now cellists are coming from europe too. I absolutely love this week and this year it is expanding in its remit so you leave the course having exceeded your expectations as a player and musician. I also want you to have absorbed this amazing repertoire and have developed a feel and passion for its writers and their times.

Throughout the course we will be looking at and developing the following:

Each session will begin with getting ready to play: stretches to prepare the body, energy exercises to prepare the mind and body, followed by cello warm-ups.

Learning to play with others and refining our ability to listen will be on-going work. We will look at the broader picture of the musical architecture: the fore, middle and backgrounds and what this means for your place in the mix.

Though we are modern cellists, we will look in depth at playing more in style from our bow use to the role and type of vibrato we use in early music.

This is what the cellist Fiona Murphy [who teaches on the one-day workshop] says...

Over the last two years I have been a member of String Theory Cello Ensemble playing the Unsung Heroes repertoire. I have had an amazing journey both technically and musically.

Studying this fantastic repertoire makes you explore every avenue of expression. A greater awareness of the life in your bow and it's releationship with your left hand is vital in achieving the huge range of both tone colour and articulation needed to put this music across to the listener.

This type of self-investigation is most rewarding as it opens up new possibilities in one's playing and in the beautiful union of cellos singing together.

As string players we often emulate the voice, but do not use it much as an integral part of our practising. Given our repertoire here, we will be using our voices to understand the phrasing and to draw the ear in.

You will end the course with a concert that will be open to the public, friends and family.

Summer School 2008 extras & preparation

For those who have been on previous summer schools, there are some differences:

• This year's course is longer. It is now six days and runs from 10am - 3pm.
• Through the week we will work at a programme of music that will be presented and performed in a concert on the evening of Friday August 8th. The concert is to be held at the beautiful church of St Michael-in Lewes by kind permission of Father Christopher Channer. The church is literally over the road from our rehearsal venue at the Westgate. The concert begins at 7.30pm and we will rehearse there from 2.30pm that afternoon.
• There will be daily sessions in technique which address specific issues thrown up for us by the music.
• Each day will end with a performance which we will record. This will enable you have a clearer and more objective overview of what is and isn't happening.
• This year Kevin Burns is coming at the beginning of the course to present" Renaissance, Reformation and Science". This will be an interesting and lively talk on the cultural background to the period. Kevin is the author of books on philosophy and the history of ideas.

Reading list. This is for those of you who want to make this as broad an experience as possible. These popular and easily available books will help you develop a stronger understanding of music and culture in the Renaissance and Baroque eras.

• 'Man and His Music'. Alec Harman and Wilfred Mellers. Barrie and Rockliff
• 'The Cambridge Music Guide'. Stanley Sadie and Alison Latham. CUP
• 'A History of Western Music'. Christopher Headington. Paladin
• 'Big Bangs' (in particular see chapters 1 and 5). Howard Goodall. Chatto & Windus
• 'The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians'
• 'A History of Western Music'. Donald J. Grout. W.W.Norton & Co.
• 'The Rough Guide to Classical Music'.
• 'A social history of music' by Henry Raynor. Look particularly at chapters 7 & 8

Listening. Your local library will have a wide selection of choral music by Byrd, Tallis, Weelkes, Morales, Palestrina, Gibbons and others.

Check out secular music too (opera, chansons and madrigals) by Monteverdi, Morley, Purcell, Lassus and Josquin.

Vocal groups to hear include The Sixteen, The Tallis Scholars (Gimell Label), The Hilliard Ensemble (ECM Label), The Monteverdi Choir, Stile Antico,The King's Singers (EMI),various artists on the Harmonia Mundi Label, Handel Opera Seria on naïve Label. Numerous cathedral choirs.

Unsung Heroes : What students say

Paul writes:

Trish from Wales, writes:

Thank you for your patience and dedication to getting the best out of us.

Stephanie from Lincolnshire, writes:

Thank you for making me feel so welcome. I had great fun and thoroughly enjoyed the day. Your and Fionas enthusiasm is infectious and now I can't wait for the August course.

Six day course - Lewes

When? August 3rd - 8th 2008. The concert will be held on Friday 8th at 7.30pm [venue TBA], with the dress rehearsal at 3pm on that same day.

Where? At the Westgate Meeting, High Street, Lewes, East Sussex.

Lewes is the county town of East Sussex. It ia a very old and picturesque town that nestles in the South Downs. It is quite small and is easily walked around. If you like walking this is the place to do it! Brighton and the seaside are very close too . You may wish to spend a day up in London before or after the course. If you are interested in opera then you can get a bus in the afternoon to Glyndebourne from the railway station. Book your opera tickets in advance though - you can phone 01273 813813 for return tickets and it's worth looking at the site www.glyndebourne.com to see the wide range of ticket prices..

Standard? It is in the nature of the writing that the parts are varied, so the range is from around Grade 3 to Diploma standard.

From? 10am-3pm each day. Snacks and drinks are provided daily and there will be water available in your rehearsals.

Cost? £375 per person for the week's course. This year we will have meals provided by Catherine Benjamin of Olive Branch Catering, a new and very good Lewes-based company. Any special diets are easily catered for so just make your needs clear on the application form. Course fees are payable by cheque, or for overseas students, by bankers order.

[For 2006 course attendees: sadly Alison Holtom died on December 28th 2007. Alison was a truly remarkable caterer and cook. Those of you there in 2006 gasped at the fabulous lunches Alison produced. Not only was she passionate about eating good food, taking care about what you ate, but Alison always came up with meals that looked as if they had walked off a film set from an amazing banquet. Catherine Benjamin is in the same mould as Alison so, rest assured, you will be well fed!]

Travel? Lewes railway and bus stations are very close and there are direct trains from Gatwick and London. If coming from overeas bear in mind that Gatwick Airport is in West Sussex, and so is quite near. If you travel to Gatwick you can catch a train direct to Lewes and it takes about 30 minutes. If you do arrive at Heathrow, catch the tube into London and then go to Victoria station where you can get trains for Lewes which will take 65 minutes. The trains are usually marked to Eastbourne or Hastings.

What about my cello? If you are not buying a seat for your cello, tell the airline that you will be carrying a cello that you would like walked onto and off the plane. There are compartments in the hold into which your cello can be strapped upright. When I have taken my cello in planes, I have been met at the gate and someone then carries the instrument on and if you remind them to walk it off and not to put it with the baggage things will be fine.

If you are travelling by plane and would rather hire a cello at a reasonable rate in the UK, I can organise this for you. Please get in touch in good time though!

Alternatively I do have a couple of cellos that can be borrowed by any overseas student, check with me first and then you will only need to bring your bow.

Accommodation? You may live locally and be travelling here daily but if not, Lewes has several small hotels and some excellent Bed & Breakfasts. A list of these can be sent.

Eating? here are some of the places I go to and would recommend to you.

• Lewes is now famous for Bill's Produce store and cafe.This is a must! You can find this just over Cliffe Bridge. It is a wonderful place to have breakfast, lunch or tea and is open till 5pm on weekdays and from 10 -4pm on Sundays. You can also get take-aways from Bill's if you are in a rush.
• I also love Lazzati's Restaurant tucked away at 17 Market Street. This is a small and intimate place to eat fresh seasonal and authentic Italian food. Since it is small, it may be worth booking ahead on 01273 479539.
• Another delight is Chaula's Indian Cafe Restaurant. This is another rare eating experience and again people come from all over to experience this cuisine. It is at Eastgate House just outside Waitrose. Again, I'd book just to be sure on 01273 476707.
• Just outside All Saints church on Lansdown Place is another lovely cafe called Laportes. You can sit and read the papers there and buy local produce too. It is open until 5.30.

You will need: A spare set of strings and a black-hole or other floor protector. Bring layers to rehearsals and pack something glamorous to wear for the concert bearing in mind that glamour and churches sometimes don't add up in an obvious way! But, you need to look good for the concert.

I will provide music stands so don't add to your shoulder strain!

Closing date: due to the popularity of Unsung Heroes and to avoid disappointment, please be prompt with your applications. Closing date for Summer course is Monday July 21st 2008

Click here for Application form

One day workshop - Lewes

The one day 'Unsung Heroes' Workshop for open to adults and secondary school age students of all abilities, from relative beginners right through to the very experienced. The workshop will be an exciting day of ensemble playing.

Students from earlier Summer schools have returned again and again, as none of us could get enough of the whole experience!

You are both excellent teachers who stimulate and encourage one to feel that playing the cello is not only a delightful thing to do, but possible! [Jane, France]

I'm a trainer myself and I was particularly impressed by the fluidity that the course progressed with and the range of aspects of playing covered...I thought your teaching was superb and the setting and length just right. [Rob, Hampshire]

Students are now being sent scores and practice notes in advance of the workshop. Do let me know in good time so you can have your scores.

So, come and join Fiona and me for our one day workshops. Book now!

When? Byrd and Morley : Saturday October 11th 2008. Byrd Mass for four voices - Kyrie: this stunningly beautiful music is full of riches and is the sole focus of this workshop. Scores are now ready for those wanting to look at the music ahead of the day. We contrast this with the sparky and vital "Sing we and chant it" by Thomas Morley.

Where? The church hall of St Thomas, Cliffe High Street, Lewes. NB Please park in the Phoenix car park which is an all-day car park. After you turn into Malling Street, turn right into Harvey's Way which takes you into te park.You will see the church spire from here and the hall is just behind the church.

From? 10.30am-4pm

Cost? £55 per person includes refreshments but please supply your own lunch. There are several restaurants and cafes very near the hall which is centrally located. Course fees are payable by cheque, or for overseas students, by bankers order.

Closing date: due to the popularity of Unsung Heroes and to avoid disappointment, please be prompt with your applications. Closing date for Autumn Workshop is October Friday October 3rd.

Click here for Application form

Scores: if you wish to have scores before the 1-day workshop, please indicate on your application form.

Childrens afternoon workshop

Playing with the Tudors for junior school cellists. Join us to play music by the Tudor Big-wigs. By request, this is extended to years 7 & 8.

Where? St Thomas's Church Hall, Cliffe High Street, Lewes, East Sussex [parking close by the hall].

When? Saturday November 15th 2008.

From? 2.30 - 5.30pm: Snacks & drinks provided. Parents are welcome to come to our performance - time TBA.

Cost? £25

Click here to download an Application form - closing date for applications 10 days before the class

Fiona Murphy

Fiona Murphy was an Associated Board Scholar at the Royal College of Music where she studied with Eileen Croxford. Her other teachers have been Jaqueline Du Pre and Christopher Bunting. While at college, she was awarded the Gordon Turner Memorial Prize and the Peter Morrison Concerto Prize.

Since then Fiona has been a member of the Terroni Trio and has given many international concerts and world premiers that include the Triple Concerto by Vladimir Runchak and Trio by Robert Simpson.

From 1991-96 the trio were Ensemble in Residence at the London College of Music where they presented masterclasses and workshops along with their concert series.

Fiona has performed many of the major cello concertos and premiered that of the British composer Stephen Scotchmer. She has recorded the Three Lyric Pieces for Cello op. 119 by Arthur Butterworth as well as his Piano Trios op.73 and op. 121.

Fiona is a very committed teacher and an experienced chamber music coach. She has worked at Little Benslow (string and piano ensemble courses) and has also coached the cello section of the Hampshire Youth Orchestra.