String Summer school
Check your level
- Course Code: ME144
- Dates: 26/07/24 - 28/07/24
- Time: 10:30 - 16:30
- Taught: Fri+Sun, Daytime
- Duration: 2 sessions
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: Robert Puzey
Course Code: ME144
Duration: 2 sessions
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
String School is a fun and social way to consolidate and develop further your playing technique, explore new repertoire, play in large and small ensembles and improve your music reading and sight-reading. This two-session intensive course aims to build your confidence and introduce you to new techniques and styles of music.
Music will available in advance via Google Classroom; you will need to download and print in advance to bring with you to the course, and you will find it useful to practise your parts beforehand (unless you are an excellent sight-reader!). If you do not have access to a printer, please contact the Music Department. Repertoire for this course tbc.
What will we cover?
- Tips and tricks for reading music faster and improving your sight-reading
- Stylistic interpretation of music in different styles
- Playing in ensembles: how to listen, count, and follow a conductor and other players, play with matching fingering and bowing.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- play better in tune and in time with others
- sight-read more quickly and accurately
- play your instrument with increased confidence in an ensemble
- hear how your part fits into the ensemble
- understand how to adapt your playing to music of different styles.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is for orchestral string players at Grade 3 level and above who have some confidence with music reading. You do not need to be able to sight-read, but you should be keen to learn new techniques and repertoire.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions and explanations in English.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
- Playing with the whole ensemble and within your section
- Explanation and feedback from your tutor
Unless you are an excellent sight-reader, you will need to study your own parts in advance. Music will be provided via Google Classroom.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please bring your instrument, pencil and eraser, as well as the parts you have downloaded and printed from the Google Classroom. If you do not have access to a printer, please contact the Music Department.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
You may also be interested in our regular weekly courses: workshops for Violin and viola and Cello (all levels up to advanced), or other Ensembles such as Chamber music or String ensemble.
You may wish to support your instrumental learning through courses in Musicianship and music theory.
Robert Puzey has enjoyed a varied career teaching and freelancing on violin and viola in London and the South East. He plays with (and jointly runs) The Oberon String Quartet which provides music for weddings and other functions. His teaching includes schools in north London and work with adult string players at City Lit. He also plays chamber music with the Max Bruch Trio. Other playing in recent years has included concerto appearances on both violin and viola, as well as work with the Orchestra of St John's, London Gala and Brighton Philharmonic Orchestras. His further activity with amateur musicians has included leading The Chamber Orchestra, a string orchestra based in central London. He is now incorporating more conducting for string courses at City Lit and also for an amateur string orchestra in north west London, along with Saturday workshops in north London. At City Lit he teaches Violin and viola classes from beginners to advanced, Chamber music, regular intensive String Schools, and is Principal violin for Orchestra workshops.
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.
