Focus on Chamber Courses
The renowned ‘Focus on Chamber’ courses have run for many years under the auspices of the NYWO and have introduced countless young musicians to the joys of chamber and small-ensemble music.
Working in small groups on carefully-chosen repertoire, the courses provide a thorough grounding in the skills and musicianship required for playing in small unconducted groups – skills which many of our players then take forward into the main orchestra.
Courses (both residential and non-residential) are offered for saxophones, wind chamber ensembles, and brass quintets.
Focus courses are not just about chamber music: opportunities exist for exploring other skills such as improvisation and conducting, and sessions focusing on performance technique and etiquette also take place alongside countless social activities.
Wind Chamber
For Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, French Horn, or Bassoon
If you’re looking to play wind chamber music in great company with top-class coaching and maximum value from a course, then look no further. The Focus on Chamber courses, held under the auspices of the NYWO, have been running twice a year for over twenty-five years, and have been enormously successful in introducing young wind and horn players to the pleasures and techniques of wind ensemble playing.
BUT – this is so much more than just another ensemble course. Starting out with four wind quintets the ensembles are combined into double quintets and also into larger combinations to play works such as the Strauss Serenades. Smaller groups perform without conductor; larger ones are conducted by one of the tutors.
In addition, there are opportunities for students to learn to rehearse their own groups, perform their own compositions and learn to conduct, with special emphasis on presentation skills and good performance practice.
Brass Quintet
For Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone or Tuba
The brass quintet course offers an unrivalled opportunity for five promising young brass players to experience intensive work on chamber music repertoire, as well as individual sessions with the Course Tutor, working on solo repertoire of their choice.
As well as being introduced to exciting new repertoire, students develop skills and friendships which will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
Saxophone Ensemble
Each Saxophone Focus course is bespoke, depending on the number of players and their standards and levels of experience. Listening, playing technique, repertoire, and developing practice are all explored as part of the course; discussions surrounding topics such as music college auditions, competition preparation, and dealing with performance anxiety also take place according to the wishes of the players. The residential course culminates in a short informal ‘coffee’ concert on the final day, as well as a more formal performance for friends and family in the afternoon, where particular attention is paid to performance presentation.
Players always leave the course having had a good time and learnt a great deal, but – more importantly – often having had a life-changing experience.