March/April 2020 Crewe and Harpur

Flutes at the Barns March/April 2020

Course Summary
Course Title:	Flutes at the Barns March/April 2020
Start date:	Monday 30th March (arrivals between 4 pm and 6.30 pm)
End date:	Friday 3rd April, 9 am
Venue:	The Crewe and Harpur, Derbyshire Peak District, UK
Bookings:	This COURSE is POSTOPONED owing to COVID-19 restrictions

Monday 30th March to Friday 3rd April 2020

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 Rachael Buxton, course accompanist, to welcome you to an exclusive Flutes at the Barns - limited to just eleven participants - in March/April 2020. 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 an individual half-hour lesson with Zoë for every participant, a private half-hour rehearsal with Rachael Buxton (plus a top-up rehearsal on the final day), 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 Rachael will also perform in an exclusive tutor concert. The course will conclude with a friendly and supportive concert, during which participants may choose to perform solos, ensemble pieces, in flute choir or simply enjoy supporting their fellow performers.

Flutes at the Barns is delighted to host a visit from All Flutes Plus, a specialist flute shop based in Warren Street, London, who will 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

The Crewe and Harpur is a former hotel dating from 1868, situated in Longnor, a picturesque village on the western edge of the Peak District National Park. Since its days as a hotel - and then a traditional pub - The Crewe and Harpur has been renovated twice (the most updates to the cottages were as recently as 2018) to an exceptional standard; large rooms on the ground floor create the perfect atmosphere for musical and friendly FATB interactions, whilst luxury ensuite accommodation is provided across three floors in the hotel as well as in the attached former Innkeepers’ Cottages. In the Crewe itself, designer bedrooms are attached to beautiful bathrooms with marble fittings , all with underfloor heating. Etwell cottage - on the hotel courtyard - has stunning views of the Manifold river and valley. Both the hotel and cottages have modern features, luxurious linens and fabrics, yet also retain some of the original charm and rich history of the Crewe and Harpur, such as the range fireplaces in the cottages and the preserved bar area of the Crewe.

The spacious lounge area of the Crewe will provide the perfect main area for musical activities, with room for large ensembles to take place in the former public bar too. Smaller ensembles, workshops and lessons will additionally use the smaller rooms of Abbey, Etwell and Calke Cottages. The professional kitchen will provide an excellent ‘behind the scenes’ area for catering for the delicious experience one has come to expect from Flutes at the Barns.

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 (6.30 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; 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:	£750 (£100 deposit payable upon application, balance due by Monday 3rd February 2020). 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. Submit your application form plus a deposit payment to the course administrator
Transport:	Nearest airports: Manchester or East Midlands (both approximately 1 hour away). Nearest train stations: Buxton (approximately 10 mins away), with Macclesfield or Chesterfield 45 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 £370, 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 £150.
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.