|
|
|
|
Not only is London one of the world’s greatest venues for concert-goers, but also for those seeking educational events to inspire and challenge… This summer, the UK’s capital saw the launch of an exciting new course for young organists. The London Organ Summer Course brought seven student organists from four countries ranging in age from 18 to 26 together for a week of intensive instruction, led by the course directors Colm Carey and Ann Elise Smoot. The students prepared a wide selection of repertoire to suit the many fine organs that were visited that week, including those in Westminster Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral, HM Tower of London, the Houses of Parliament, St Matthew’s Westminster, St Lawrence Jewry, St Giles Cripplegate, St James Clerkenwell, and the Brompton Oratory. It was wonderful to see the students gain new insights into the music, and into performing on the organ in general, through playing and listening to these wonderful instruments. Masterclasses with Catherine Ennis and Thomas Trotter added greatly to the overall inspiration of the week. The diverse range of backgrounds made for a lively and friendly social situation, and the whole course culminated in a student concert and wine reception at St Giles Cripplegate on 27 July. While this course was intended primarily for university and post-graduate students, the adult amateur organist was also well-catered for this summer with the Royal School of Church Music’s annual Summer Course for Organists, based at St Giles International Organ School, and directed by Anne Marsden Thomas and staffed by teachers from the school. The course may have been based at St Giles, but students made full use of the organs in 16 churches in and around the City of London. 57 organists from all over the world – some from as far afield as Sierra Leone and Japan – took part in the course. The course covered all aspects of organ playing, including technique, improvisation and service accompaniment, and there were many enjoyable student concerts throughout the week. Again, it was wonderful to see the organ bring together students from such diverse backgrounds, and interesting to see them react to the many new ideas and concepts to which they were exposed during the course of the week. And as if that weren’t enough, the second annual London Improvisation Course also took place during July. Based out of the churches of Notre-Dame-de-France (Leicester Square), St James Clerkenwell, and the City Temple, the course was designed to encourage and foster the art of improvisation, often neglected in this country. It catered for all levels of students from those who had never improvised before in their lives, to those who were confident and experienced performers in this idiom. Ten students from the UK and USA participated in group and individual lessons with Loïc Maillié, Gerard Brooks, and Duncan Middleton. With three such inspiring and encouraging tutors, students were able rapidly to overcome any fears they had about improvising and revel in creating their own music. The week culminated in a student concert at Notre-Dame-de-France. So next summer, why not visit London not only to hear the exciting and varied concerts which happen every week, but also to learn more yourself and experience first-hand some of the many fine instruments to be found here? The London Organ Summer Course: Directors Colm Carey and Ann Elise Smoot. The RSCM Summer Course for Organists: Director Anne Marsden
Thomas. Contact: The Royal School of Church Music, Cleveland Lodge, Westhumble,
Dorking RH5 6BW, 01306 872807
education@rscm.com Ann Elise Smoot |
|
Any comments or corrections: webmaster@londonorgan.co.uk Click here for information about advertising in the London Organ Concerts Guide Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, the LOCG cannot be held responsible for changes/alterations to concert arrangements subsequent to publication. Last updated: 07 April, 2009 |