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MARCH 2015

VISIT US AT THE BARBICAN

Benslow Music will be exhibiting at this year’s London’s Music Education Expo, held at the Barbican Thursday 12 and Friday 13 March. Please pop by and say hello.

Welcome to the March edition of the Buzz.For regular readers I am very pleased to say that February has been just as predicted in last month’s issue. We’ve exceeded targets for the second month in a row with a record number of full-houses both at weekends and in

mid-week slots. And we’re delighted with the positive feedback we’ve received and have done all we can to address any issues raised. Again, I’d like to say a huge thank you for all your feedback which helps us to maintain our high standards and improve things when necessary. Some highlights from February include the well-attended course with the London Myriad Ensemble for pre-formed wind groups, the Introduction to String Chamber Music day course which we hope has inspired string players to join one of our longer courses, and the brand new Intermediate Chamber Orchestra with Anthony Bailey which we hope to repeat next year.As we enter March we have another busy month ahead of us. Spaces for the LuteFest at the end of the month have already sold out (although we can squeeze in a few more non-residents) and we have a number of other slots which are beginning to push our residential capacity. If there are any courses you are interested in that are coming up soon, please do get in touch to avoid disappointment. Another exciting up-coming event is the Music Education Expo which takes place at

the Barbican Centre 12 - 13 March. The team has already booked a stand and we will be represented by staff members from both Benslow Music and the Instrument Loan Scheme. If you live in or near London, do drop in and say hello - and please encourage any friends or relatives who may be interested to do so too. And if you know of anyone who hasn’t yet heard of Benslow and what we do, please let them know and spread the word.We are nearing the final stages in preparation for our annual Baroque Opera project. This year we will be performing Handel’s Acis and Galatea at the Queen Mother Theatre in Hitchin on Saturday 11 April with an 11.30am matinee and a 7pm evening performance. We’ve now recruited our soloists who come from some of the top music colleges in the country, and the chorus and orchestra are busy preparing their parts. It looks set to be another truly outstanding event. Tickets are currently on sale direct from the QMT website - www.queenmothertheatre.org.uk - we hope to see you there.Planning for our Jan - Jul 2016 programme of courses will begin very soon, so if you have any thoughts on anything you would like to see please let me know. In the past we’ve had a number of requests from regular course goers which have been included and have been incredibly popular. As long as we can find a suitable slot in the programme we will take all suggestions very seriously. You can send any thoughts you may have directly to fane@benslowmusic.org.

Whether it is for a course, a concert or anything else - we look forward to seeing you soon.

Fane HendersonHead of Music

www.benslowmusic.org

photo © Bill Hiskett

COURSE PLACES AVAILABLEWe still have places available on the following March and April courses.

Improve Your Jazz Improvisations(Code 15/2JZ1, 2 - 5 March)Elgar: The Man and his Music(Code 15/221, 6 - 8 March)Group Quartets with Brenda Stewart(Code 15/312, 9 - 12 March) Spring Recorders(Code 15/313, 9 - 12 March)Partners in Song: A Course for Singers and Pianists(Code 15/222, 13 - 15 March)Composing with Simon Holt(Code 15/223, 13 - 15 March)Reed Making Day for Oboists(Code 15/106, 14 March)Cello Day(Code 15/CE2, 15 March)String Quartets with the Maggini(Code 15/224, 15 - 17 March - 2 night option)(Code 15/314, 15 - 18 March - 3 night option)Grade VI Theory and Beyond(Code 15/225, 20 - 22 March)Flute Choir(Code 15/226, 20 - 22 March)Beyond the Score(Code 15/227, 20 - 22 March)The Choruses of Acis and Galatea(Code 15/107, 21 March)Clarinet Choir(Code 15/316, 23 - 26 March)Jazz Piano(Code 15/318, 30 March - 2 April)On most courses we can usually squeeze in a few more so even if the course you’re attracted to isn’t on this list why not ask in any case?info@benslowmusic.org or T: 01462 459446 To book your place

BENSLOW MUSIC INTERNATIONAL CONCERT SERIES: SHARING THE GOOD MOMENTSOne of the things I enjoy the most about working at Benslow Music is that I am able to attend every single concert in the season, which is something in itself as here at Benslow Music the enjoyable moments are frequent. It is a real pleasure to see so many world-class artists perform live every month, and I feel very fortunate. It is common opinion that classical music concerts are not for everyone, and to a certain extent I agree. Some people prefer playing rather than listening, some don’t enjoy sitting still for an hour at a time and some people are simply not interested in classical music. However, I do disagree with those who think they shouldn’t attend concerts because they do not know enough about composers or the music. Good music is good music, just like good wine is good wine, and it can be fully enjoyed by experts and non-experts alike. I have attended a good number of concerts so far - I am a friend of the Royal Opera House, I have worked for the Harrogate Festivals, I have been to the Salzburg Festspiele every summer over the past 5 years - and it is my deepest belief that concerts are all about enjoying the overall experience. And top quality music, good company, good drinks and delicious food are undoubtedly all good ingredients for a lovely evening. This is why we are so proud of our International Concert Series - we have plenty of every single one of these things. Throughout the year we host some of the very best musicians in the country. Before the concerts our customers can enjoy a relaxing drink in the bar, or if they choose the pre-concert dining option, a delicious meal in our dining room. And after the concert comes the moment I personally like the most and that is quite unique to Benslow: it’s when everybody can relax in the bar and get to know the artists a bit more, maybe share a drink with them. The stories you hear from a String Quartet’s world tour, you wouldn’t believe! Because we like the Benslow International Concert series so much, we want the world to know how good it actually is. We want to share these good moments with as many people as possible, from all ages and backgrounds. This is why we are currently re-designing the whole marketing strategy for the concerts: we have created a brand new logo, (see back page) some stunning posters, and a most elegant and interesting newsletter. If you would like to have a look at it and at the new design please subscribe - just send an email to shadia@benslowmusic.org , and I will be happy to add you to our Concert Club. As always we appreciate any feedback you might want to give us, positive or negative - please do get in touch. As usual we would love you to pass this information on to anyone who might be interested - the Benslow family always cherishes new members.

Shadia El Tabch Music Administrator/Concert Coordinator

BENSLOW HONEYThanks to the bumper batch of honey produced by the Benslow bee colonies during 2014, we still have plenty for sale. Jars cost £5 and make great presents for friends and family.And for those of you who have bought honey in the past, if possible could you return the jars on your next visit? This helps us keep the costs down and direct funds towards improving the Benslow Music experience.

RECENT COURSE COMMENTS

ENGLISH AND AMERICAN SONG

“Excellent I learnt a lot from my own sessions and also listening to tutor’s comments.”“It was my first visit to Benslow and I discovered a wonderful haven of peace, and tranquillity in which to indulge my musical interests.”“Extremely good, very professional, helpful and kind. Extraordinary pianist.”“Tutors absolutely marvellous.”

TEDESCA

“Thanks to you and Jenny for another excellent course. Thanks also to the Tedesca Quartet. It was a pleasure to be there and, always, listening to music that I have struggled with is a wonderful experience.Thank you also for your encouraging comments. I get so tired on Benslow courses that I even forget how to count sometimes and the music leaps around in front of my eyes but I left feeling very happy.Your Group Quartets and String Orchestra courses are just right for people who want to make the next step from, say, Foundation Strings. You both seem to make everyone in the room feel that their presence is wanted - irrespective of capability or talent.Thank you again. I look forward to the String Orchestra course. In between I will be attending Janet’s Foundation Strings and I hope she notices some improvement.”“The Tedesca tutors are all excellent and their concert is a definite highlight.”“Both the coaching and the performance were first-class.”“Outstanding coaching from all tutors - each brings a different aspect and emphasis to our playing. A perfect team.”

CLARINETFEST

“This was an excellent weekend. Highly organised and most efficiently run throughout. We benefitted from three excellent tutors, all with different personalities and approaches. A good variety of music. I found it challenging at times, stimulating and exciting too. It was my first time on this course and I hope to come again. The meals were delicious too.”

LATE STARTER RECORDER

“Evelyn Nallen is an inspirational teacher - she is the reason I came again.”“Exceptional teaching. Fabulous! The best of all the many courses I have attended.”

NEW COURSE - OFF THE STRING!

SUNDAY 21 JUNE

A gentle exploration of violin technique through the classical string quartet repertoire.

Nic Fallowfield, 1st violin of the Tedesca Quartet, has been teaching the violin at Birmingham Conservatoire for over twenty-five years. On this course he brings his experience and expertise to bear on various recurring technical themes; how to decide on a fingering, how to cross strings smoothly, how to play spiccato, how to change position with accuracy and confidence, the vexed question of vibrato and so on. Participants will be sent passages from the classical string quartet repertoire to look at in advance of the course and these will be discussed and dissected on the day. There will be time also for a ‘surgery’ in which players can ask advice on specific and personal technical difficulties. As always, this day course begins at 10am and finishes around 5pm with lunch and coffee breaks included.

Fee: £75 / 25% discount For under 27s: £56.25

CELEBRATION OF BERNARD BLAYWe were all delighted with the successful event held on Sunday 15 February in memory of Bernard Blay. It was a wonderful opportunity for us to share some of the fond, inspirational, and at times amusing memories of Bernard. The day finished with some outstanding performances given by some of Bernard’s colleagues, friends and former pupils. A fitting tribute to a man who gave so much of his life to Benslow and to the humour, warmth and wisdom he gave to us all. We are still accepting donations which we will use towards four inscribed benches for the patio kindly donated to us by Nona and Bernard, one for each former member of the great Macnaghten Quartet.

Benslow Music, Benslow Lane, Hitchin, Herts SG4 9RB

T: +44 (0)1462 459446 I E: info@benslowmusic.org I W: www.benslowmusic.org

sunday 15 march, 8pm

beeThoven: String Quartet Op 59 nO 1rawsThorne: String Quartet nO 2 Dvořák: String Quartet Op 106 nO 13

friday 27 march, 8pm

Jouissance des dames: an evening Of muSic in aSSOciatiOn with the Lute SOciety

friday 1 may, 8pm

haydn: String Quartet Op 1 nO 3 verdi: String QuartetschuberT: String Quartet nO 15 D887.

MAGGINI QUARTET

TickeTs £12 i box office: 01462 459446 or online aT www.benslowmusic.org

pre concerT dining £18 - includes a Two course meal and a glass of wine.free enTry To mosT concerTs for under 27’s and carers accompanying a disabled visiTor.venue: peTer morrison hall, benslow music, benslow lane, hiTchin, herTs sg4 9rb

JACOB HERINGMAN luteNANCY HADDEN flute

FRIEND’S OF BENSLOW MUSIC MONDAY AFTERNOON CONCERTmonday 9 march, aT 3.00pm

rosanna rolTon harpA harp recital with works by Domenico Scarlatti and others. Formerly a member of the National Youth Orchestra, Rosanna is currently in her third year as a Foundation Scholar at the Royal College of Music and is a member of the European Youth Orchestra.Please note this is a change to the advertised programme.TickeTs £8 on The door and includes home-made Tea.

ALLEGRI QUARTET

/benslowmusic

Facebook “f ” Logo CMYK / .eps Facebook “f ” Logo CMYK / .eps

@Benslow_Music

LIBRARY NEWSYour Library is always happy to receive donations but this month we are offering some items from our stock. We are grateful to tutor Roger Moon for helping refine our Dance Band and Light Music collections to conform to our course standards. We are left with unwanted items that would not suit a Benslow course but which must have been useful to someone at some time and perhaps you in future.If this sort of music is your scene and you would like to see the stock, do ask a Librarian; there is one on duty most afternoons except Sunday. If you can warn us when you are coming, so much the better. Make us an offer!Regulars know there is always music on sale at bargain prices on the main landing but this seems to need different treatment.Whatever your scene, happy music making.

5 STARS We are very pleased to inform you that following a recent visit from Environmental Health, we have once again been awarded the full five

stars. A huge congratulations to our catering team who have made this possible. Why not consider pre-concert dining before your next concert? For an additional £18 we will provide a two-course dinner including a drink from the bar. Please give our team a call to book.