VOICES & INSTRUMENTS
Trafford Hall, Chester
Reviewer: Janey Katovsky
For several years, I have wished that I could attend the NWEMF Summer School of Renaissance Music, but was unable to go for the whole week, so I was so delighted to discover that, this year, Roger was able to offer attendance for part of the week instead. I promptly signed up for two days, for the Tuesday and the Thursday, which were the days that were perfect for me. The Summer School this year was held at Trafford Hall, which is a very fine Georgian house, with beautiful grounds. It is lovely and easy to find, and I drove up the driveway on the Tuesday morning, warming immediately to the general atmosphere of the surroundings, and looking forward enormously to taking part in some of the music of my favourite classical music era!
As soon as I stepped into the House, I was greeted by Roger, who made me feel very welcome, as always, and I made my way to my first session. Here, I was one of just three recorder players (treble, tenor and bass), and we were tutored by Grace in some Sermisy French chansons, which were a really lovely discovery for me.
After coffee (had outside in the wonderful garden!), I moved to my second session, where I played tenor recorder with a few singers, in some fine Tudor songs, with Elizabeth tutoring. We then all had lunch, which was delicious, and, after this, I was thrilled to have the chance to have a go at a viol with other viol novices, with Elizabeth instructing, and guiding us all through Frere Jacques, among other rounds, which was enormously enjoyable!
On the Tuesday evening, after dinner (which was excellent), Roger took everyone for a “Singing for All” session in the Ballroom of the House, and we sang (with a few of us as players) a few motets by Victoria, which were stunningly beautiful and so moving, I thought. On the Thursday, I unfortunately could not be there for the first session, but was easily in time for the next, which, for me, was one tutored by Andrew, of songs by Philippe Verdelot. Here, I played my tenor recorder with a tenor viol player (a lovely combination!) and a small group of singers, and it was a wonderful way to be introduced to a composer whom I only really knew of by name. Just before lunch, I was able to have a quick look around the Early Music Shop stock, which had been set up at Trafford Hall for two days. I greatly enjoyed looking at their instruments and CDs, and was quite proud of myself for managing to resist the temptation to buy anything!
Thursday evening (being the last evening of the Summer School) was especially reserved for the Musical Banquet. This consisted of several delicious dishes, and was both preceded and succeeded by an amazing variety of impressive musical and dance numbers, offered by almost all course participants and tutors, who had been practising them during the week. This was all enormous fun to watch! The whole experience for me, of being at the Summer School for those two days, was really wonderful, and I loved it all.
I thought that the organisation of everything (presumably chiefly, or even all, by Roger?) was so excellent, the tutors all so friendly and superb in their teaching and expertise, and the participants so great to be with!
Janey Katovsky
First published in October 2011 Newsletter
