September 2023 Cliff House

Flutes at the Barns September 2023 - Special Edition

Course Summary
Course Title:	Flutes at the Barns September 2023 - Special Edition
Start date:	Monday 4th September (arrivals between 4 pm and 6.30 pm)
End date:	Friday 8th September, 9 am
Venue:	Cliff House, Derbyshire Peak District, UK
Bookings:	SORRY, COURSE NOW FULL - please contact info@flutesatthebarns.com if you would like to be a reserve

Monday 4th September to Friday 8th September 2023

Read about this course below.

Course Description and Tutors

This Flutes at the Barns course is open to competent adult flute players (see below for guidance on ability level), 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 most exclusive Flutes at the Barns course we offer - strictly limited to just six participants - in September 2023; owing to its small size, this Special Edition course is intended to be the ultimate flute course experience!

Course activities will begin with a short introductory group session on the first evening before a tasty supper; on Tuesday morning the full range of activities will commence. The varied programme will include 60 minutes of individual flute tuition with Zoë for every participant, a private half-hour rehearsal with Rachael Buxton plus further individual time on the final day, group sessions including workshops on repertoire, technique and interpretation, and ensemble playing with coaching and accompaniment. There will also be the chance to perform in up to three participant concerts, as well as a masterclass where further personalised tips will be offered (up to 30 mins) within a group setting. Zoë and Rachael will also perform in an exclusive tutor concert. The limited number of places on offer for this course allow for the maximum contact from the tutors throughout, for expert guidance and skills development. On Thursday the musical activities will culminate in a friendly and supportive concert, where participants may choose to perform solos, ensemble pieces and in flute choir, as well as enjoying supporting their fellow performers.

Special Edition Bonus Features: Flutes at the Barns is always inclusive of luxury, full-board private accommodation and a wide variety of high quality, specialist individual tuition, group workshops, classes and rehearsals and performance activities...and much more. So what makes this Special Edition course different?

more time with the course tutor Zoë Booth in the individual flute lesson(s); 60 minutes, as one long lesson or 2 x 30 minutes
longer performance opportunities across the three participant concerts
increased time to rehearse privately with the professional accompanist
up to 30-minute masterclass segments for each player, allowing for extended opportunities for personalised tips and performance experience
greater contact time from the tutors throughout the course
one-to-a-part playing in ensemble rehearsals and performances; increased tutor coaching too
a newly revamped timetable featuring up to five sessions per day; musical activities conclude by 8 pm, when a relaxed evening meal is served
more chance to influence the course topics in the pre-course questionnaire
the chance to receive ensemble parts in advance of the course, and to take home a personalised practice plan and warm-ups

Being part of this exclusive Special Edition experience will offer the focussed musician the ultimate chance to develop their personal skills as a player and performer; by extension, it will also require a certain level of musical stamina, individual exposure and experience/reliability as an ensemble-musician - FATB suggests that musicians who would like to apply consider themselves at a competent level, and application from advanced players is expected. Flutes at the Barns has always encouraged a friendly and supportive atmosphere; although there is no pressure to take advantage of the solo and/or performing opportunities, the chance to do so is heightened owing the exclusivity of this event, so performers 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 bring up to four pieces which could be performed in any of the participant concerts and masterclass session, if they choose to do so. All other music will be provided, so please expect sight-reading at your level within the course; some music may also be sent in advance. If you play piccolo, alto or bass flute please do let the course administrator know, as the chance to play them in the ensemble sessions will then be arranged. 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

For this exclusive Special Edition event, FATB presents an exclusive luxury venue - Cliff House, near Little Longstone, just a very short distance from Bakewell and Buxton. This spacious, high-ceilinged Victorian property has magnificent - and we mean magnificent - views over Monsal Dale in the Peak District; the decor retains a traditional feel - in elements such as the bespoke farmhouse kitchen for example - although the contemporary renovation gives it a feeling of splendour and comfort. The open, bright spaces make it an ideal home for FATB, providing a light musical studio, smaller break-out playing spaces and a relaxing, first-class stay for each participant.

From the outside of the property, Cliff House can be enjoyed from the private, sunken, lawned garden and patio, the size of plot accommodating plenty of free, private parking; although a countryside retreat, participants can be on the Monsal Trail within moments if they wish to walk to enjoy the surroundings and/or to the nearby villages and inns. Inside, a large kitchen/dining room provides the backdrop for the delicious, sociable experiences of mealtimes and refreshments, leaving the remaining ground-floor living spaces to be adapted into the musical studio and performance area; separate rooms are available for chamber music, flute lessons and accompaniment sessions. On the upper two floors, each musician will be accommodated in a roomy bedroom with their own private bathroom, ensuring that a quiet night awaits them once they retire from the musical enjoyment of the day.

Meals and Refreshments

Whilst on Flutes at the Barns allow yourself to be taken care of, with catering supplied by the talents of FATB private chef 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.

Following the first musical session at 6.45 pm, catering will start with supper on Monday evening; after a leisurely end to the musical activities on Thursday evening, catering concludes with breakfast on Friday morning, allowing for a restful departure after rush hour.

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:	£1425 (£250 deposit payable upon application, balance due by Monday 10th July 2023). 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 just under 1 hour away). Nearest train stations: Bakewell (10 mins approx) Buxton (20 mins approx), with Stockport station approximately 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 £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 £300.
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.