Courses

Advanced.

Explore the rich and varied repertoire of musicians from court and city in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, for wind and brass instruments: cornett, sackbut, shawm, dulcian, recorder (at 440) and crumhorn.

A course exploring the Real Roots! of European traditional and renaissance music, both the music and the instruments.  The focus of the course will be playing 4 or 5 part harmony.

The 2024 winter course focusses on the works of J. Sebastian Bach, with emphasis on the chorale preludes.

Plenty of opportunities to play at all levels of ability, and to socialise with like-minded early music enthusiasts. Tutors: Fred Jacobs, Jacob Heringman, Lynda Sayce, Matthew Spring, Sara Stowe.

Elementary, Lower Intermediate, Pre-formed Consorts.

This popular and highly acclaimed course provides an excellent opportunity for experienced players of viols and recorders to work on early music in a chamber setting.

This course offers viol players the chance to explore consort repertoire from the viol’s Golden Age and to improve their technique along the way.

Tutors: Emily Ashton, Richard Boothby, Jon Rees, Joanna Levine. This course offers viol players the chance to explore the consort repertoire and improve their technique along the way.

Intermediate and Upper Intermediate.

Two parallel, friendly courses offering a variety of music for players at any level except beginners. For those who wish, there are opportunities to mix and match between the two courses.

Tutors: Theresa Caudle, Mark Caudle, Claire Williams. 18th century repertoire that would have been performed by the Dresden Hofkapelle, including works by Pisendel, Heinichen and Zelenka; scored for two oboes, bassoon and strings.

This course is about discovering the joy and genius of the Bach suites in an open lesson/masterclass format.

The Herschel Players will coach a range of trio sonatas for combinations of baroque instruments: recorders, violins, oboes, flutes, viols, baroque cello, bassoon and harpsichord. Any appropriate repertoire can be represented: French, German, Italian and English. Tutors: Susanna Pell, Mie Hayashi, Graham O’Sullivan

Five days of viol consort playing in a variety of group sizes with other players of an advanced level, and opportunities to study various afternoon 'options' including technical sessions, some lesser known repertoire and/or renaissance viols. Tutors: Alison Crum, Alison Kinder, Ibi Aziz, Peter Wendland

This is a practical course examining the relationship between language and music in the renaissance and baroque.

A course for those interested in Baroque performance practice using modern instruments, with three experienced tutors in strings, wind and keyboard. Tutors: Julia Bishop, Sophie Middleditch, David Pollock

A course designed for players of recorders, viols and other early instruments, covering a wide repertoire from ancient to modern.  Sessions include one-to-a-part groups, workshops, consort songs, trio sonatas, choir, large and small ensembles.  Tutors: Ibi Aziz, Pamela Flanagan, Caoimhe de Paor, Philip Thorby, Peter Wendland.

A baroque chamber music course at A415.  Theresa (violin) and Alastair (harpsichord), bring their wealth of knowledge to encourage and cajole you into stylish performances of repertoire from the early 17th to late 18th centuries.

Explore the rich and varied repertoire of musicians from court and city in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, for wind and brass instruments: cornett, sackbut, shawm, dulcian, recorder (at 440) and crumhorn.

Elementary, Lower Intermediate, Pre-formed Consorts.

For experienced viol players with an interest on improving their technique on Renaissance instruments and in reading from facsimile.

Intermediate and Upper Intermediate.

Come and discover Medieval music with Mary Mohan and Jude Rees.  Delve into the world of Medieval manuscripts, dance tunes, beautiful sacred music and more.

Tutors: Alison Crum, John Bryan, Peter Wendland, Ibi Aziz. Three days of viol consort playing in preformed groups of any level, studying in depth any music chosen by the group, coached by members of the Rose Consort of Viols.

William Lyons and Richard Thomas from The City Musick will be heading to Halsway Manor for the very first time, bringing with them all the joys of the festive season during the Renaissance.

Elementary, Lower Intermediate, Pre-formed Consorts.

Three days of viol consort playing in a variety of group sizes. Tutors: Alison Crum, Peter Wendland.

For pre-formed chamber groups on period instruments. Tutors: Theresa Caudle, Mark Caudle, Claire Williams, Stephen Preston.

Recorders@Plymouth are back for their annual visit to Halsway Manor, offering an opportunity to explore the huge diversity of recorder orchestra repertoire.

Explore the rich and varied repertoire of musicians from court and city in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, for wind and brass instruments: cornett, sackbut, shawm, dulcian, recorder (at 440) and crumhorn.

Advanced.

Exploring the world of late 16th-century popular music, as heard in both court and country.

For pre-formed chamber groups (with or without singer) who should bring at least 4 pieces to work on which can be at varying stages of readiness.  Work at 415 or 440Hz, with availability of one harpsichord playable at either pitch, plus Higham’s transposable electric pianos. Tutors: Katharine May and Michael Sanderson.

The 2025 winter course will focus on the works of J. Sebastian Bach’s predecessors. Tutors: Philip Scriven, Andrew Millington, Peter Parshall, Peter Lea-Cox, Richard Godfrey.

This course offers viol players the chance to explore consort repertoire from the viol’s Golden Age and to improve their technique along the way.

Plenty of opportunities to play at all levels of ability. Tutors: Jacob Heringman, Lynda Sayce, Matthew Spring, Sara Stowe, Evangelina Mascardi, Andrea Damiani.

This popular and highly acclaimed course provides an excellent opportunity for experienced players of viols and recorders to work on early music in a chamber setting.

Two parallel, friendly courses for players at any level, though not beginners.

Intermediate and Upper Intermediate.