An ensemble for musicians interested in learning the skills of playing consort music in different instrumental combinations (broken consort). It will be a journey exploring the variety of sound combinations in 17th century repertoire. To apply for the ensemble please click the pink 'Start your interview' button and someone from the music department will be in touch.
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In the 17th century it was common to play music with instruments from more than one family (mixed string and wind instruments) where parts are interchangeable: the broken consort. This group will explore different sound combinations in repertoire from the 17th century. We will play at modern pitch (A=440). Instruments suitable for the ensemble are: - recorders and/or viols (any size), flute, violin, viola, oboe, cello, bassoon - keyboards: harpsichord, clavichord, spinet (digital keyboard provided by the college)
What will we cover?
- How to play in tune in a mixed instrumental group - Elements of early Baroque interpretation such as phrasing and articulation, tempo and tempo changes - Studying scores to understand how the parts fit together into a musical whole.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- play better in tune in a mixed-instrument small ensemble - respond to the playing of others in a small ensemble - better understand elements of early Baroque style and interpretation.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
- You need to be at least Grade 5 standard on your instrument. You need good music-reading skills, but you do not have to be able to sight-read - You should be willing to be adventurous e.g. with adding embellishments and interpreting ornamentation - Previous experience of ensemble playing is helpful but not essential.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
• Tutor explanation, presentation and demonstration • Group playing, and some sectional playing • Practising your own parts for pieces • Listening and score reading.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please have your own instrument(s), a pencil and eraser. All musical material will be provided by the tutor.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
You may take as many terms of Early music ensemble as you wish. City Lit also offers a wide range of instrumental classes for violin/viola, cello, flute and piano/keyboards, String ensemble, String school, Chamber music and Orchestra workshop. You may also be interested in Music history courses, which cover a wide range of topics from medieval to contemporary popular music.
Layil trained as an early music specialist, playing recorders and bass viol, and now has a versatile career, touring and recording internationally with early music ensembles and fusion projects. Past collaborations include Les Concert De Nations under the direction of Jordi Savall, Charivari Agreable, Baroccada, Hamza Namira, Addictive TV, Donee, and Women in Music, amongst others. Layil also fell in love with Andalusian music learning to dance flamenco, and started to collaborate with musicians and dancers from different styles and places around the world. Her music celebrates these encounters. Layil's album "Strings Between Us" was recorded in 2020 and is available on Bandcamp. It features original music for bass viola da gamba, recorder, West African kora, double bass, percussion and a Flamenco dancer.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/early-music-ensemble263657Early music ensemblehttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/e/a/early_music_ensemble-1024.jpg329329GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Performing arts/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Ensembles22851314135113571228513141351<p>An ensemble for musicians interested in learning the skills of playing consort music in different instrumental combinations (broken consort). It will be a journey exploring the variety of sound combinations in 17th century repertoire. To apply for the ensemble please click the pink 'Start your interview' button and someone from the music department will be in touch.</p><p><strong>Break weeks</strong><br/>Term 1 26th - 30th Oct 2026<br/>Term 2 15th February 2027<br/>Term 3 3rd and 31st May May 2027</p>152989175Early music ensemble279279https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/e/a/early_music_ensemble-1024_2.jpgInStockDaytimeMonKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-04-20T00:00:00+00:00Some experience, AdvancedApr 2026Performing artsME160C279279Early music ensemble223195279Layil Barrearly-music-ensemble/me160c-2526<p>An ensemble for musicians interested in learning the skills of playing consort music in different instrumental combinations (broken consort). It will be a journey exploring the variety of sound combinations in 17th century repertoire. To apply for the ensemble please click the pink 'Start your interview' button and someone from the music department will be in touch.</p><p><strong>Break weeks</strong><br/>Term 1 27th - 31st Oct 2025<br/>Term 2 16th - 20th Feb 2026<br/>Term 3 25th - 29th May 2026</p>0010-StartedAvailable|2026-04-20 00:00:00<p>In the 17th century it was common to play music with instruments from more than one family (mixed string and wind instruments) where parts are interchangeable: the broken consort. This group will explore different sound combinations in repertoire from the 17th century. We will play at modern pitch (A=440). Instruments suitable for the ensemble are:<br/>- recorders and/or viols (any size), flute, violin, viola, oboe, cello, bassoon<br/>- keyboards: harpsichord, clavichord, spinet (digital keyboard provided by the college)<br/> </p><p>An ensemble for musicians interested in learning the skills of playing consort music in different instrumental combinations (broken consort). It will be a journey exploring the variety of sound combinations in 17th century repertoire. To apply for the ensemble please click the pink 'Start your interview' button and someone from the music department will be in touch.</p><p><strong>Break weeks</strong><br/>Term 1 27th - 31st Oct 2025<br/>Term 2 16th - 20th Feb 2026<br/>Term 3 25th - 29th May 2026</p>- How to play in tune in a mixed instrumental group<br/>- Elements of early Baroque interpretation such as phrasing and articulation, tempo and tempo changes<br/>- Studying scores to understand how the parts fit together into a musical whole.- play better in tune in a mixed-instrument small ensemble<br/>- respond to the playing of others in a small ensemble<br/>- better understand elements of early Baroque style and interpretation.- You need to be at least Grade 5 standard on your instrument. You need good music-reading skills, but you do not have to be able to sight-read<br/>- You should be willing to be adventurous e.g. with adding embellishments and interpreting ornamentation<br/>- Previous experience of ensemble playing is helpful but not essential.• Tutor explanation, presentation and demonstration<br/>• Group playing, and some sectional playing<br/>• Practising your own parts for pieces <br/>• Listening and score reading.Please have your own instrument(s), a pencil and eraser. All musical material will be provided by the tutor.You may take as many terms of Early music ensemble as you wish. City Lit also offers a wide range of instrumental classes for violin/viola, cello, flute and piano/keyboards, String ensemble, String school, Chamber music and Orchestra workshop.<br/>You may also be interested in <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-historytarget=_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Music history courses</a>, which cover a wide range of topics from medieval to contemporary popular music.MusicEnsemblesvirtual3034219Early music ensemble329329https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/e/a/early_music_ensemble-1024_3.jpgInStockDaytimeMonKeeley StreetAvailable courses11 weeks or longerWeekday2026-09-14T00:00:00+00:00Some experience, AdvancedSep 2026Performing artsME160A329329Early music ensemble263230329Layil Barrearly-music-ensemble/me160a-2627<p>An ensemble for musicians interested in learning the skills of playing consort music in different instrumental combinations (broken consort). It will be a journey exploring the variety of sound combinations in 17th century repertoire. To apply for the ensemble please click the pink 'Start your interview' button and someone from the music department will be in touch.</p><p><strong>Break weeks</strong><br/>Term 1 26th - 30th Oct 2026<br/>Term 2 15th February 2027<br/>Term 3 3rd and 31st May May 2027</p>0000-Available|2026-09-14 00:00:00<p>In the 17th century it was common to play music with instruments from more than one family (mixed string and wind instruments) where parts are interchangeable: the broken consort. This group will explore different sound combinations in repertoire from the 17th century. We will play at modern pitch (A=440). Instruments suitable for the ensemble are:<br/>- recorders and/or viols (any size), flute, violin, viola, oboe, cello, bassoon<br/>- keyboards: harpsichord, clavichord, spinet (digital keyboard provided by the college)<br/> </p><p>An ensemble for musicians interested in learning the skills of playing consort music in different instrumental combinations (broken consort). It will be a journey exploring the variety of sound combinations in 17th century repertoire. To apply for the ensemble please click the pink 'Start your interview' button and someone from the music department will be in touch.</p><p><strong>Break weeks</strong><br/>Term 1 26th - 30th Oct 2026<br/>Term 2 15th February 2027<br/>Term 3 3rd and 31st May May 2027</p>- How to play in tune in a mixed instrumental group<br/>- Elements of early Baroque interpretation such as phrasing and articulation, tempo and tempo changes<br/>- Studying scores to understand how the parts fit together into a musical whole.- play better in tune in a mixed-instrument small ensemble<br/>- respond to the playing of others in a small ensemble<br/>- better understand elements of early Baroque style and interpretation.- You need to be at least Grade 5 standard on your instrument. You need good music-reading skills, but you do not have to be able to sight-read<br/>- You should be willing to be adventurous e.g. with adding embellishments and interpreting ornamentation<br/>- Previous experience of ensemble playing is helpful but not essential.• Tutor explanation, presentation and demonstration<br/>• Group playing, and some sectional playing<br/>• Practising your own parts for pieces <br/>• Listening and score reading.Please have your own instrument(s), a pencil and eraser. All musical material will be provided by the tutor.You may take as many terms of Early music ensemble as you wish. City Lit also offers a wide range of instrumental classes for violin/viola, cello, flute and piano/keyboards, String ensemble, String school, Chamber music and Orchestra workshop.<br/>You may also be interested in <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-historytarget=_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Music history courses</a>, which cover a wide range of topics from medieval to contemporary popular music.MusicEnsemblesvirtual223,263279,329195,230ME160C,ME160AINTMon14/09/26 - 30/11/2613:45 - 15:4513:4515:4511 sessions (over 12 weeks)115-10 weeks,11 weeks or longerWeekdayKSKeeley StreetLayil BarrSome experience, AdvancedAvailable courses2026-04-20T00:00:00+00:00,2026-09-14T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeApr 2026,Sep 2026Performing arts279279,329Early music ensembleearly-music-ensemble/me160c-2526,early-music-ensemble/me160a-2627<p>An ensemble for musicians interested in learning the skills of playing consort music in different instrumental combinations (broken consort). It will be a journey exploring the variety of sound combinations in 17th century repertoire. To apply for the ensemble please click the pink 'Start your interview' button and someone from the music department will be in touch.</p><p><strong>Break weeks</strong><br/>Term 1 27th - 31st Oct 2025<br/>Term 2 16th - 20th Feb 2026<br/>Term 3 25th - 29th May 2026</p>,<p>An ensemble for musicians interested in learning the skills of playing consort music in different instrumental combinations (broken consort). It will be a journey exploring the variety of sound combinations in 17th century repertoire. To apply for the ensemble please click the pink 'Start your interview' button and someone from the music department will be in touch.</p><p><strong>Break weeks</strong><br/>Term 1 26th - 30th Oct 2026<br/>Term 2 15th February 2027<br/>Term 3 3rd and 31st May May 2027</p>0000-Available|2026-09-14 00:00:00<p>In the 17th century it was common to play music with instruments from more than one family (mixed string and wind instruments) where parts are interchangeable: the broken consort. This group will explore different sound combinations in repertoire from the 17th century. We will play at modern pitch (A=440). Instruments suitable for the ensemble are:<br/>- recorders and/or viols (any size), flute, violin, viola, oboe, cello, bassoon<br/>- keyboards: harpsichord, clavichord, spinet (digital keyboard provided by the college)<br/> </p><p>An ensemble for musicians interested in learning the skills of playing consort music in different instrumental combinations (broken consort). It will be a journey exploring the variety of sound combinations in 17th century repertoire. To apply for the ensemble please click the pink 'Start your interview' button and someone from the music department will be in touch.</p><p><strong>Break weeks</strong><br/>Term 1 27th - 31st Oct 2025<br/>Term 2 16th - 20th Feb 2026<br/>Term 3 25th - 29th May 2026</p>,<p>An ensemble for musicians interested in learning the skills of playing consort music in different instrumental combinations (broken consort). It will be a journey exploring the variety of sound combinations in 17th century repertoire. To apply for the ensemble please click the pink 'Start your interview' button and someone from the music department will be in touch.</p><p><strong>Break weeks</strong><br/>Term 1 26th - 30th Oct 2026<br/>Term 2 15th February 2027<br/>Term 3 3rd and 31st May May 2027</p>- How to play in tune in a mixed instrumental group<br/>- Elements of early Baroque interpretation such as phrasing and articulation, tempo and tempo changes<br/>- Studying scores to understand how the parts fit together into a musical whole.- play better in tune in a mixed-instrument small ensemble<br/>- respond to the playing of others in a small ensemble<br/>- better understand elements of early Baroque style and interpretation.- You need to be at least Grade 5 standard on your instrument. You need good music-reading skills, but you do not have to be able to sight-read<br/>- You should be willing to be adventurous e.g. with adding embellishments and interpreting ornamentation<br/>- Previous experience of ensemble playing is helpful but not essential.• Tutor explanation, presentation and demonstration<br/>• Group playing, and some sectional playing<br/>• Practising your own parts for pieces <br/>• Listening and score reading.Please have your own instrument(s), a pencil and eraser. All musical material will be provided by the tutor.You may take as many terms of Early music ensemble as you wish. City Lit also offers a wide range of instrumental classes for violin/viola, cello, flute and piano/keyboards, String ensemble, String school, Chamber music and Orchestra workshop.<br/>You may also be interested in <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-historytarget=_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Music history courses</a>, which cover a wide range of topics from medieval to contemporary popular music.MusicEnsemblesconfigurable
