New Weekend Courses for Recorder Players
Rydal Hall, Ambleside, Cumbria

Enjoy beautiful music and develop your skills in the company of players of a similar standard. These courses will include whole course playing sessions as well as opportunities to play in smaller groups. 

Tutored by Mary Tyers, participants will explore technique, style & interpretation within a relaxed, friendly and supportive environment. Mary delights in enabling enthusiastic adult amateurs to fuel their ambitions and celebrate their music making.

2019 Dates
12th - `14th February                         Foundation & Lower Intermediate
12th – 14th May                                   Upper Intermediate & Advanced
20th – 22nd September                    Foundation & Lower Intermediate
29th Nov – 1st December                Upper Intermediate & Advanced

Course Facilities 
3 beautiful playing rooms
Comfortable en-suite accommodation
Excellent food
View sample programme 
Music will be provided; you are also welcome to bring your own for the small group playing sessions. 

Playing levels
Every effort will be made to match players in terms of experience and ability; pre-formed consorts are also welcome.

Foundation & Lower Intermediate (approx. Grades 3 – 5) for players who are able to read music fairly well and have a basic grounding in recorder playing. Suitable for players who are not yet secure with both F & C instruments or who want to improve their bass playing. 

Upper Intermediate & Advanced (approx. Grades 6 – 8+) for players who can play all sizes of recorder (descant to bass), are proficient sight readers, and who want the opportunity to explore a variety of genres and develop ensemble skills in a friendly but more challenging atmosphere

Please note that the difference between lower and upper intermediate is more to do with speed of dexterity and articulation than number of instruments played or notes known. For example, an upper intermediate player would be comfortable reading, and playing pretty accurately, shortish semiquaver passages which don’t use the top notes, at a reasonably brisk tempo. Where as a lower intermediate player would find this type of passage work difficult. An upper intermediate player is also likely to be more secure with syncopated or unusual rhythms, or music which is rhythmically complex across the parts.

Participant feedback:

‘had a wonderful weekend, learnt a lot …. valuable technique hints – thanks’
‘A great weekend. Thankyou 😊’
‘Tuition – brilliant’
‘Tuition super, in a non-threatening way. I learnt a lot.’
‘Thankyou for a wonderful weekend. I had an opportunity to play all my recorders at a challenging level, and try a contra-bass.’
‘I liked the way that you seemed to be responsive to the personalities of the people attending the course, in addition to their playing levels, when placing into groups.’
{From feedback sheets]

We have also been to a recorder weekend at Rydal Hall led by Mary Tyers, who was excellent. She is based in Durham.  If you were able to book her for the Oxford SRP for a playing day or something like that I am sure folk would enjoy it
[​From a couple who have recently moved to the North-West.]

Course Dates

Foundation & Lower Intermediate
12th-14th February 2019
20th – 22nd September 2019

Upper Intermediate & Advanced
12th-14th May 2019
29th Nov – 1st December 2019

​Residential and day visitor rates available.
​Non-playing partners and friends also welcome. 

For booking information contact
Jan Thirlwell 
groupbooking@rydalhall.org 
​Tel: 015394 32050       

For general information about the venue visit  www.rydalhall.org      

Sample Programme