April 2024 Dale House

Flutes at the Barns April 2024

Course Summary
Course Title:	Flutes at the Barns April 2024
Start date:	Monday 15th April (arrivals between 4 pm and 6.30 pm)
End date:	Friday 19th April, 9 am
Venue:	Dale House, Derbyshire Peak District, UK
Bookings:	Sorry, COURSE NOW FULL - please contact info@flutesatthebarns.com if you would like to be a reserve

Monday 15th April to Friday 19th April 2024

Read about this course below.

Course Description and Tutors

This Flutes at the Barns course is open to adult players of all abilities, whether new to the courses or returning FATBers. International participants welcome, as ever.

Course tutor Zoë Booth will be joined by Mark Smith, course accompanist, to welcome you to a very exclusive Flutes at the Barns course - strictly limited to just eight participants - in April 2024. After a tasty supper, course activities will begin with a short introductory group session. On Tuesday morning the full range of activities will commence, with up to five sessions each day featuring a varied programme including a 45-minute individual flute lesson with Zoë for every participant, a private half-hour rehearsal with Mark Smith (plus top-up rehearsal on the final day), continued contact-time with the tutors, group sessions including workshops on repertoire, technique, interpretation and ensemble playing, small ensemble playing (some with coaching), and the chance to perform in informal participant concerts and/or a masterclass. Zoë and Mark will also perform in an exclusive tutor concert. On Thursday the musical activities will conclude with a friendly and supportive concert, where participants may choose to perform solos, ensemble pieces, in flute choir for the concert, or may simply enjoy supporting their fellow performers.

Flutes at the Barns is delighted to invite a visit from All Flutes Plus, a specialist flute shop based in Warren Street, London, who are friends of the courses and can provide the chance to browse music, accessories and to try headjoints and flutes of all sizes.

Flutes at the Barns has always encouraged a friendly and supportive atmosphere in which participants of any ability level can improve and make music together without pressure. Those who do choose to take advantage of the solo and/or performing opportunities will be given every encouragement from their tutors and fellow course-goers. Participants are recommended to prepare solo material as the basis for their lesson and accompanist session, and may also bring up to three other pieces which could be performed in any of the participant concerts/masterclass, if they choose to do so. All other music will be provided, so please expect sight-reading at your level. If you play piccolo, alto or bass flute please do bring them, and you will get the chance to play them in the ensemble sessions. Breaks and mealtimes are often sociable events, with much like-minded musical talk, however there are also chances for some time alone during the course, whether to rest, practise or explore the local landscape.

Venue

In April 2024 Flutes at the Barns is excited to revisit Dale House; participants on previous courses have already rated this venue as a firm FATB favourite! The wonderful location of Dale House is just a short stroll from the village green of Litton in Derbyshire, six miles from Bakewell and with easy access to the picturesque dales and stunning open countryside of the UK Peak District. The traditional stone farmhouse has plenty of light and an open and spacious feel for our music-making, with the combination of modern rusticity with original features offering a sense of warmth and cosiness. Our playing spaces include two roomy lounges - the log-burners can roar upon request - as well as the main studio which makes use of part of the dining area, with rich oak floorboards aiding the generous acoustic. An established and attractive garden surrounds the property on three sides, with plenty of car-parking also available.

During down-time from music-making, the group can enjoy sociable meals together in the dining room, and refreshments will be served in the large Shaker-style kitchen; multiple comfy corners provide a chance for those FATB chats and laughs over a coffee, and maybe even a tipple into the evening. Once it's time to retire at the end of a satisfying day of flute (and more), each individual participant can enjoy a the peace of one of the many stylised bedrooms (all participants are ensuite). Most of the bedrooms are spread across the three floors of the main property, with two further self-sufficient family suites - in the style of luxury ski lodges - found in Dale Barn, just a few steps across the garden from the main house. In the morning, it will be hard to decide whether to enjoy the quiet alone-time of your private room, take an inspiring walk from the doorstep of Dale House, begin practising, or take your time enjoying a friendly and hearty breakfast; then the fun of FATB begins once again!

Meals and Refreshments

Whilst on Flutes at the Barns allow yourself to be taken care of, with catering supplied by the talents of David Wakefield and his team of The Dinner Party Company. Daily breakfasts will include a range of options, including cooked items. To sustain your energy levels throughout the music-filled days, morning and afternoon breaks will offer snacks as well as hot drinks, with tasty buffet choices on offer for lunch. At the end of the day enjoy being served a delicious two-course evening meal (with a special celebration banquet on Thursday evening). Special diets are accommodated.

Catering will start with supper on Monday evening (6.45 pm), finishing with breakfast on Friday morning, allowing for a leisurely end to the musical activities on Thursday evening, and a restful departure (avoiding rush hour) the following day.

There is no bar; instead, alcoholic drinks may be brought to the course for your own consumption, or to share with friends.

Other Information

Please note that submission of an application for any Flutes at the Barns course confirms your adherence to the terms and conditions. Please see the top of this page for further information and to read the Terms and Conditions.

Course fee:	£1195 (£200 deposit payable upon application, balance due by Monday 19th February 2024). The course fee is inclusive of full-board residential participation, all meals and refreshments.
How to apply:	It’s easy to apply, in just two steps: 1. Complete the online application form (see top of this page) 2. Wait for the course administrator to confirm your successful acceptance to the course. At that time, details will be provided for making your deposit payment.
Transport:	Nearest airports: Manchester or East Midlands (both just over 1 hour away). Nearest train stations: Buxton and Bakewell (each approximately 15 mins away), with Stockport tation 50 mins away. There is plenty of free parking. The course administrator will provide an opportunity for participants to share lifts on the pre-course questionnaire.
Partners:	Partners are welcome to accompany flute participants and share their accommodation at a reduced cost of £395, taking full part in all except the musical activities. (Partners are welcome to attend and support their playing partner in any performances during the course.) If making an application with a non-playing partner, please note that the total deposit is £250.
Access:	If you have a particular physical need please speak to the course administrator before making your application, to ensure that the venue and activities can be happily suited to your requirements.
Contact	Correspondence is by email unless otherwise requested. 1. Upon applying for the course you will receive confirmation of your application. 2. Once the course is filled, your place on the course will be confirmed. 3. Approximately ten weeks before the course final details will be sent; at this point your final balance payment and pre-course questionnaire will be requested, to arrive no later than eight weeks before the course begins. At any other time please do not hesitate to contact the course administrator with any queries.