THE

LATE NEWS THIS MONTHS SPECIAL OFFERS

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UZZ
MAY 2013
Having hailed the arrival of Spring in last months issue I find myself sitting at my desk on a distinctly cold mid-May day. All hail the hail. But if our British weather remains infuriatingly inconsistent, the allure and excitement of our varied course and concert programme remains constant. My visit earlier in the month to the annual conference of the Adult Residential Colleges Association at the beautiful Madingley Hall, the headquarters of the University of Cambridges Institute of Continuing Education, reminded me that even if we cannot boast Madingleys rolling acres or Tudor turrets, we remain the music course specialists and we are still the best musically equipped of ARCA colleges. ARCA has been around for three decades, but this meeting was to be its last as a formal organisation.Why? Because a large part of its raison detre was a political one: to fight for the cause of continuing education as a statutory governmental remit.The hard truth is, however, that we lost the fight. In recent years, ever since David Blunketts departure as Minister of State responsible for education, recession and political disinterest have resulted in the closure of many ARCA-affiliated colleges. Of those which were publicly funded, only two remain Dillington House in Somerset and Knuston Hall in Northamptonshire. University support for the sector is now at best patchy. What used to be regarded as a valuable public service, whether as provider of basic adult literacy classes, courses in Chinese brush painting or high-level courses in string quartet playing, has now gone the way of many public services, governmental support, financial and moral, at local and national levels almost totally absent. So these days all ARCA colleges have to pay their own way, and where we offer similar courses we compete with each other. Yet we still have much in common, and I find it energising to air problems with fellow directors and principals, to note how others do some things better, some things worse, to compare governances, recruitment trends, pricing, service and so on. Others

Preparing for your Piano Diploma

Code 13/252 (7 - 9 June). 25% off - bassoon only

The Camden Wind Ensemble Course

Code 13/253 (21 - 23 June).

agree, which is why we decided to maintain an informal caucus and to hold an annual standing conference. We will also remain united through the ARCA web site, an invaluable marketing tool which will continue as a private enterprise operated by its Webmaster. Self-reliance is nothing new for Benslow Music and has its advantages. No support from the public purse means no risk of that purse being summarily closed to us. We know that we have to offer as excellent a product at as competitive a price as we can.That is what our recent work on the fabric and on the service has been all about. And last year we reaped the rewards, with some record-breaking attendances achieved not least as a result of our rebranding exercise. The course programme for the first time in many years managed to pay its way without subsidy from other elements of the operation. This year things have been tougher, as the worlds economic woes have continued. People are unwilling to commit to a course that is months into the future, and so recruitment is getting later and later. Im glad to say that we are holding our own. But we need more people to know about our work so that we can fill the campus more often than we do. And of course we never say no to any donations for our further development. Were also launching a new venture in the form of an experimental free-for-all weekend in August. For a cut price we offer no timetables, no tutors, nothing except our usual warm hospitality and, we hope, a house full of musicians happy to muck in.The more that sign up the greater success this weekend will be. Once we know more about recruitment levels we can determine how much administrative assistance the course might need, and of course well provide it. This, together with all of our summer courses and the much anticipated first two concerts (on 14 and 16 June) of our complete Beethoven quartets cycle with the Allegri Quartet as well as our enticing Music on Summer Tuesdays series means that Benslow Music continues to be the place to be for everyone who loves music, as participant, listener or both.

Stephen Pettitt Director of Music

www.benslowmusic.org

SIR PETER MAXWELL DAVIES

As was recently widely reported in the press, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, our President and the Master of the Queens Music, who we hoped would be teaching his composing course in August this year, is currently being treated for leukaemia. His spirits are high and we are told that he is making good progress. We have sent him our good wishes on behalf of all of our staff, trustees, members and clients and hope to see him back in action before too long.

forthcoming concerts
DORIC QUARTET Monday 27 May, 8pm

VACANCIES
Theres still space for more participants on the following May and June courses. Group Quartets with Jonathan Trout
(Code 13/324, 31May - 3 Jun) (Code 13/KOS, 3 - 6 Jun) (Code 13/251, 7 - 9 Jun) (Code 13/252, 7 - 9 Jun) (Code 13/250, 7 - 9 Jun)

Programme includes works by Haydn, Brett Dean and Dvok. ALLEGRI QUARTET Friday 14 June, 8pm and Sunday 16 June, 2pm

Singing Traditional Song of Worlds Old and New Jen Lynchs Cello Orchestra Preparing for your Piano Diploma Songs from the Shows String Quartets with the Allegri: The Beethoven Project I
(Code 13/ALI, 14 - 16 Jun)

The Beethoven Cycle I and II. Tickets 10 I Box Office: 01462 459446

Intermediate String Orchestra

(Code 13/254, 21 - 23 Jun)

The Camden Wind Ensemble Course Alexander for All

(Code 13/253, 21 - 23 Jun) - a few more places for Bassoons and Oboes (Code 13/258, 28 - 30 Jun)

music on summer tuesdays

Tuesdays 16, 30 July, 6, 13, 20 August, 8pm

Preparing for Grade 6 Theory and beyond

(Code 13/257, 28 - 30 Jun)

the course of your dreams?

Were always full of ideas for new courses here at Benslow Music. Some of them work, and unfortunately some of them dont. But we want to know what your ideas are. Tell us by midnight on 31 May and well attempt to run the one which in our opinion is the best. We have set aside the weekend of 9 - 11 August for this purpose. The winning course will be announced on our website on 6 June. The person who makes the winning suggestion will be offered two free places with complimentary en suite rooms on the course. If more than one person suggests the same winning idea well draw the name of the free places winner from a hat. We reserve the right to cancel the course if insufficient numbers apply. Please email suggestions to [email protected].

An enticing series of five concerts of music ranging from Dowland to Britten given by world class artists. Programme details are available on our web site.

Tickets 12 I Box Office: 01462 459446 Concerts take place in Peter Morrison Hall, Benslow Music, Benslow Lane, Hitchin Herts SG4 9RB
Free entry for young people and full time students. Please contact us for details.

TUTOR PROFILE KATHLEEN OSULLIVAN

is a recent addition to our large and distinguished tutoring team. Her speciality is Irish folk music, a stream we are eager to develop. Her performing career has included solo singing on the London Irish scene and performing and recording as part of the traditional Irish band The London Lasses and Pete Quinn for seven years, with whom she toured some of the worlds most prestigious festivals (including the BBC Proms in the Park) and concert halls. Her real passion, however, is for unaccompanied song. Born to parents hailing from Cork and Laoise (she was one of nine children) she learned to sing initially from the example of her mother who sang 24/7. The entire family was involved with traditional Irish music, and so she simply grew up with the art. She is an active participant in the work of Comhaltas Ceoltir ireann (www.comhaltas.ie), a world-wide non-profit organisation with hundreds of branches devoted to preserving and promoting Irish traditional music. There are branches where pupils learn standard Irish tunes and get to play them at monthly Comhaltas family and social gatherings. Or Comhaltas students might take part in regional, national and all-Ireland competitions. Over the years I have helped to prepare countless students for these events. She also runs workshops at folk venues and festivals and currently tours and performs as part of a story and song combo which works in clubs and theatres and at festivals and also visits schools, libraries, museums and heritage sites. Kathleen believes strongly that storytelling is an intrinsic part of Irish culture and underpins traditional song. She is currently co-authoring a book of Antrim Folk Tales for the History Press, Ireland, due for publication next January. It has been, she says, the most fascinating project, covering history, geology, lore, myth, the weird and the wonderful. A mother with three grown-up sons, when Kathleen is at home she takes great pleasure in cooking for them and sitting down to massive meals with them and their partners. I have been part of two courses at Benslow Music now and find it an amazing place to create a nonthreatening, relaxed atmosphere, so that even if the songs, their themes and the style of singing might seem a little distant at first, all that they represent has a way of finding people. I have had some lovely feedback about the on-going impact that our singers have experienced.

COMMENTS on RECENT COURSES JANET MYATTS INTRODUCTION TO WIND CHAMBER MUSIC

This was my fourth visit. I dont know if I come back for the music, food or the camaraderie, but I love Benslow Music Thanks for another wonderful weekend, as usual excellent music, company and food in a restful setting and a comfortable room

Kathleen OSullivan

SPRING SONGFEST
Thank you for a most enjoyable experience. We hope to be back soon! I really enjoyed being here.Your staff are all very friendly and helpful, Benslow continues to be my spiritual home

THE BENSLOW STRING ORCHESTRA

The wonderful family atmosphere - so hard to achieve, but always apparent at Benslow Excellent tutors - very good sense of humour and very patient! Absolutely brilliant couple of days

string quartets with the wihan

A very enjoyable and well organised course. All the staff were friendly and approachable. The Wihan were excellent coaches - first rate teaching. I also thoroughly enjoyed their concert Wonderful course, excellent coaching, delicious food, garden lovely and new patio a great success

the london myriads

The Myriads are amongst the best tutors offered by Benslow. Knowledgeable, friendly, appropriately demanding, insightful and go to the trouble of becoming completely integral to all aspects of the course.

Matters of style: baroque performance on modern strings

My first attendance at Benslow. I thought the place was well run with a lovely welcoming atmosphere You gave me a wonderful weekend, stimulating and also relaxing. A real holiday but one in which I learnt much. I will be back. Thank you

FOUNDATION STRING CHAMBER MUSIC

This was the most enjoyable course Ive ever been on, thank you all Thanks for a fantastic weekend. Good food and lots of music making! Brilliant I really enjoyed my stay. Great course, wonderful gardens

Kathleen tutors her new course, Singing Traditional Song of Worlds Old and New, from Mon 3 to Thu 6 June (Code: 13/KOS).

COURSE PROFILE
playing at lesiure

BUILDINGS PROGRESS

2 - 4 August
Weve noticed in the past that our courses come in two broad categories. There are those in which participants like to be stretched as much as possible, working hard to improve technique and to get to grips with any chosen course repertoire. And there are those which are concerned more with having a tilt at as much repertoire as possible in the time available, where technical improvement, although desirable, isnt really the name of the game. What we have been missing is an event one hesitates to call it a course where there is no tutoring at all, where you bring just yourself or your group and your instrument (if portable) or voice and find who you find once youve arrived. This is Play at Leisure. Its surely the sort of weekend that our founder Mary Ibberson would have approved of, for she saw the pursuing of the social aspects of music making as a major part of our raison detre. The more who come the better the idea will work, but even if you dont manage (or choose) to find any musical partners youll still obtain excellent value in terms of hospitality and ambience. Everything to gain, nothing to lose

The two new ensuite facilities suitable for disabled customers on the ground floor of the Coach House will be completed and ready to use on schedule by the end of May, as will the new ensuite room created from two cramped single rooms immediately above them on the first floor. We are completely delighted with the work. Work is also well advanced on the Pamela Maud Ground Floor conversion, which will see the creation of dedicated office, studio, workshop and instrument storage facilities for the Instrument Loan Scheme. Thank you to all of our clients for showing such patience during the course of these works and to our builders for their continuing exemplary consideration.

Resident: 185 Non-resident: 135 Code 13/PAL

CELEBRATE WITH US

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

VICKYS loud lemon luxury
225g softened unsalted butter 225g caster sugar 4 eggs 225g flour 4 lemons 5 tbsp icing sugar Beat together the butter and caster sugar until pale and creamy, then add four eggs, one at a time, slowly mixing through. Sift in the flour. Add the finely grated zest and juice of one lemon. Mix until well distributed. Line an 8 tin with greaseproof paper, spoon in the mixture and level the top with the back of a spoon. Heat oven to 180C (fan oven160C, gas Mark 4). Bake for about 45 to 50 minutes or until a small knife inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean. Turn the cake out upside down onto a wire rack and immediately prick the bottom of the cake. Lavishly drizzle the juice of two lemons over the holes and leave until completely cool. Once cool, turn the cake right side up onto a piece of greasproof paper to stop the cake sticking. Mix the icing sugar with the juice of one lemon and spread evenly across the top of the cake. Once the icing sugar has set, the cake is ready to be devoured!

Vicky Carlton

Have you a special occasion to celebrate this summer or a group of friends and family who would like to get together in an informal setting? There is currently some availability in August when we are able to host your event. Our recital halls are well suited for concerts, parties, conferences, wedding receptions, and so on. Our extensive and tranquil gardens make the perfect backdrop for your relaxation. With our excellent inhouse catering, we are able to provide the services and facilities you are looking for. We can also offer you and your guests competitively priced bed and breakfast. There is often space available at other times of the year when it is possible for example for guests to bring their own chamber or other groups to Stay and Play, with a playing room included in the price. Email [email protected] or call 01462 459446 for futher information.

Benslow Music, Benslow Lane, Hitchin, Herts SG4 9RB T: 01462 459446 I E: [email protected] I W: www.benslowmusic.org