Following the great success of Marnaves Summer Baroque, a course for period string players now entering its third year, the Welsh Camerata Choir and its musical director, Andrew Wilson-Dickson, are delighted to offer the same facilities for a choral music course in this delightful village in south-west France during the last week in August, 21st to 27th. Marnaves (81170) is near Cordes, Albi & Gaillac and about an hour`s drive from Toulouse. Andrew and Lucy bought a property in the centre of the village of Marnaves in 2002 and have converted it into a wonderful environment for music. The house is large, half of it being a large converted barn seating about 80 people and with a fine acoustic. This year an early 19th-century pipe organ is being installed in the North gallery and should be functional by the time of the course. At the foot of the sizeable garden, which is usually used for meals in the sunshine, there is a delightful medieval church, available at all times for rehearsals.
DATES:
Saturday 21st to Friday 27th August, 2010. We anticipate a concert and a party on the Friday night and departure after breakfast on Saturday.
DIRECTOR:
Andrew Wilson-Dickson has a long experience in choral directing, apart from being a composer, keyboard player and enthusiast for early music. At present he conducts the Welsh Camerata on a regular basis, as well as choral and orchestral projects in Bristol. For further details about him and about Marnaves, go to www.wilson-dickson.co.uk.
MUSIC:
Andrew and Lucy are offering, at minimal cost, plenty of opportunities for ensemble singing, mostly SATB and unaccompanied, of music from the medieval period to the 19th century and from a variety of traditions. Participants are welcome to make suggestions suggestions for repertoire.There are many wonderful buildings to sing in, and we anticipate giving a concert in Marnaves and a concert elsewhere but not far away. The intensity or otherwise of the schedule could be open to discussion later on but always bearing in mind that this should be a pleasant and relaxing holiday for everyone. We are aiming for roughly 12 singers.
MEALS:
Home cooked food will be provided on site at a cost of £12 for evening meal, £8 for lunch, £5 for breakfast - these prices cover the chef`s fee. Vegetarians are catered for.
`We can provide as many of meals as the schedule or people dictate(s) and depending on the numbers we may pay someone to help with meals (all within the cost per head)`.
FEES:
The other costs would be at total of £50 per head for Andrew`s fee, publicity for the concerts, hire of concert spaces, maybe music, ie everything beyond meals.
ACCOMMODATION:
There is also help available for finding accommodation of different types in the immediate area.
Email andrew.wd@ntlworld.com specifying your needs. A Facebook page has now been created with the title `Marnaves Choral Summer ` with details of accommodation likely to be available in the village, just yards from the venue. Alternatively there are gites in the area. Expect a price of €350 - €450 a week. If people want details of this, the best website is:
http://www.gites-tarn.com/
FURTHER INFO:
Further details about the venue, rehearsal space, arrangements and accommodation, including photos, may be gleaned from the Facebook Groups `Marnaves Summer Baroque` & `Marnaves Choral Summer` and also Andrew`s website at:
http://www.wilson-dickson.co.uk/france.htm
We hope that`s enough info to whet a few appetites. Do get back to us quickly, letting us know if you are a definite or possible participant in this course.
We look forward to hearing from you at either of the email addresses below. |
