Baroque Orchestra

Directed by Steven Devine, with Conor Gricmanis, Gavin Kibble and Gail Hennessy

About the course

Immerse yourself in the expressive richness and dramatic energy of Baroque orchestral music in this intensive course directed by conductor and harpsichordist Steven Devine. With specialist coaching from Conor Gricmanis (baroque violin), Gavin Kibble (baroque cello) and Gail Hennessy (baroque oboe), participants will explore the distinctive techniques, musical language and collaborative spirit of historically informed performance. Bringing together strings, continuo, flutes, oboes, bassoons, horns and trumpets, the orchestra will prepare two public concerts, including Handel’s Solomon with the Summer School Choir.

Who is it for?

This Advanced Level course is for experienced instrumentalists with a strong grounding in Baroque performance practice. Participants should be confident ensemble players, able to prepare demanding repertoire and familiar with the demands of period instruments and historical playing styles. The working pitch will be A = 415, and players are expected to bring their own Baroque instruments or suitable copies.

What to expect

Through full rehearsals and specialist sectional coaching, players will refine articulation, phrasing, ornamentation, rhetoric, tuning and ensemble communication. On Wednesday 4 August, the orchestra will present a concert of Baroque orchestral music (repertoire to be confirmed). On Friday 6 August, it will accompany the Summer School Choir in Handel’s Solomon. Participants must enrol in all three sessions (2, 3 and 4). Rehearsals begin on Saturday 31 July, so players should arrive in time to be ready for the first session.

Practical information