Music Workshops

[Psalm Project]

Interesting this...
Just looking at the amount of 'touring' and workshops being provided... ask yourself 'How many such workshops are being provided for good choral music - workshops etc.
In my neck of the woods it is Liam Lawton - look at his website for the massive amount of plugging. and - EUR20 to get in (book provided)
Love 'em or hate 'em - they are 'doin' the bizz'
Can we see workshops up and down the country charging same to get in with a Liber or book of Palestrina motets being the incentive (I spent a full hour listening to Sicut Cervus over and over last evening - pure silk!)?

Personally, I am not a fan of this style of music (Haugen / Lawton - you know what I mean) and my choir does NOT use it - primarily because much of it is not suited to choral resources. I have tried on more than one occasion and it has always disappointed - without exception.
The latest Lawton workshops are being advertised as for choir with keyboard, guitar chords in the book... Go get the book and look seriously at the construction of the choral passages and judge for yourself. I'll reserve judgement.

[monty]

I have been to these music 'workshops' in the past and have found them unsatisfying. Not my idea of a workshop. They are sometimes nothing more than a cosy chat with the composer who quickly, very quickly, take you through a few of their pieces but there is nothing taught.

Personally, I would prefer a 'from scratch' type day concentrating on one piece that you learn thoroughly and stays with you forever.

Horrendous of course if you do not like the piece being taught!

[musicus]

Can we see workshops up and down the country charging same to get in with a Liber or book of Palestrina motets being the incentive...

Ooh, yes please! Have you seen the price of a new Liber Usualis?

But, seriously, this is not a bad idea. Which pieces would induce you to attend a one-piece workshop, and why?

[SOP]

I think I would like something concentrating on just one Mass. For example, It is assumed everyone knows Inwood's Gathering Mass* but how many newer members to choirs have had the opportunity to learn it, hear it in a simple one line format, additional lines, etc? Take time to explore all the bits and if there are parts for instruments, try and get them there so it can be heard. A day of exploration.

*There are other Masses available!

Of course once the new Missal is finally available, this kind of workshop could be really useful.

HOWEVER, how much are people prepared to pay to attend workshops?

[keitha]

I have not been to a workshop (other than those that I have led) for some time due to having had to work long hours away from home. I am not a huge fan of Marty Haugen's music generally, but I do like some of it, and so I am planning to go to one of his sessions this week. Members of other music groups in my parish are also attending, so it will be interesting to see what reactions we gets.

In terms of cost, I would have thought that the cost of attendance by parish musicians at appropriate music workshops should be met by the parish. My PP has offered to pay for us to go to the Haugen session and I don't think people should be shy of asking for funding - after all, it would normally be the parish that benefits.

There is also the argument that if something is free it devalues itself. I would have thought that the fee should be commensurate with the value of the hand-outs to be given, venue costs etc and the professional fees of the presenter(s) if they are professionals. Incidentally, the fees for the Haugen presentation are pretty low (I can't remember the exact figure, but I remember being surprised at how cheap it was at around £5, which I suspect just covers venue and travel costs!).

[Psalm Project]

I am open to correction but I have a sneaking feeling that the publishers of mainstream modern composers make some form of payment towards presentations - It probably falls into the area of marketing!
As for what people are prepared to pay... The Lawton workshops over here are EUR20 to get in (Ok, book provided) - but they are selling out.
What does that say?
Are we a dying breed!
Some (not all) of the 'disciples' of the modern genre have contempt for the traditional musical art forms. However, that's life. Some like Carravagio and others like... quick, someone jump in with a name of a graffiti artist!

[VML]

You mean Carravagio- or Caravaggio - = Palestrina; and Banksey = Boyce and Stanley?
They have a workshop near here on Saturday. I have been told they have been the inspiration for one of our best musicians, but unfortunately I cannot attend.

[johnquinn39]

You mean Carravagio- or Caravaggio - = Palestrina; and Banksey = Boyce and Stanley?
They have a workshop near here on Saturday. I have been told they have been the inspiration for one of our best musicians, but unfortunately I cannot attend.

Who?

[SOP]

Psalm Project, I used to run this kind of event and believe me, no-one ever came forward and helped with the costs. If I did not get enough people through the door to cover the costs of photocopying fliers, postage, venue hire, drinks and fee then it was my pocket that was hit. One of the reasons I stopped doing them.

[docmattc]

Interesting this...
Just looking at the amount of 'touring' and workshops being provided... ask yourself 'How many such workshops are being provided for good choral music - workshops etc.

Where the workshop is being conducted by the composer, its perhaps an unfair comparison, there are far fewer choral composers out there compared to composers of 'less classical' genres. Palestrina and Victoria are just in no fit state to tour! But Rutter for instance does workshops.

Not choral music, but there seems to be plenty of chant workshops if one is prepared to look. Our rep for Brentwood has asked if we can bring a chant day at Brentwood Cathedral to your attention.

[musicus]

Our rep for Brentwood has asked if we can bring a chant day at Brentwood Cathedral to your attention.

I have just posted fuller details of this chant event in the Announcements section of our forum (but doc's link does lead to a very nice poster).

[musicus]

Palestrina and Victoria are just in no fit state to tour!

Why not? I'd settle for bits of them - maybe just a thigh bone...