Summer School 2009

[NorthernTenor]

Organist,

You may find Spode Music week of some interest:

http://spodemusicweek.com/

It's a Catholic music week that gives due attention to chant and polyphony without being 'backward-looking' - a brief consultation of memory tells me that liturgical course works, for example, have included Victoria, Lassus, Palastrina, Stravinsky, Philip Duffy and and Robert Sherlaw-Johnson.

I'm sorry to trespass on the SoSG's ground here, but membership of one doesn't preclude the other, e.g. Philip Duffy, who often runs the liturgical music side of things at Spode.

[organist]

Thanks for the comments and I'm glad I raised the matter. There is an interesting article in Oremus February 2009 p.16 This is the magazine of Westminster cathedral. Dominic Wells bemoans the state of music in the Catholic church. Spode music week looks good but just as costly as SSG. My late dear friend Helene la Rue always went to it. I'm sure Paul will provide a varied musical diet for the week.

[festivaltrumpet]

Dominic Wells bemoans the state of music in the Catholic church.

As do we all. The cause is a lack formation at all levels from parish organist up to and including bishops. A preponderence of parishes remain in liturgical stasis around the year 1980. Furthermore, they are either complacent or ignorant that this is unacceptable. The hierarchy provide few practical opportunities for formation. It is only organisations such as this which do so and I commend it.

Spode music week looks good but just as costly as SSG.

It would be interesting to hear of reccommendations which might reduce the cost. I remain unaware of the price as I cannot locate any information on this website but conference centres must sustain themselves. Were the church in England and Wales genuinely interested in forming its musicians, parishes would defray the cost.

[NorthernTenor]

FestivalTrumpet,

Last year's prices were:

"£335 for adults (£310 for payment in full by March 31st)
£270 for 12-15 years
£110 for 5-11 years
We request a voluntary contribution for under-5s. "

I'm waiting to hear about this year's prices. It's a bit late in the day, but that's not unusual. The week isn't heavily marketed - it spreads largely by word of mouth, and people who like it just come back year after year.

Organist,

Helene is greatly missed.

[musicus]

...just as costly as SSG.

A couple of months ago, I attended a three-day non-residential software course in Birmingham, 9.00-4.00, and the price was £600. I do think we need to see Summer School costs in perspective: neither the SSG nor Spode will be making much (if any) money from these events, In my experience - extensive, but firmly in the past now - they are run as cheaply as they can be, for the benefit of the membership. I don't see how the cost could be significantly reduced, short of using tents and standpipes! Now, as to who should pay - individuals, parishes, dioceses - well, that's another matter...

[NorthernTenor]

As to the formation thing: Spode has a small number of bursaries for young musicians. It's a bad time to suggest fund-raising, and interest rates aren't at all helpful, but SoSG might like to consider this for its own week.

[MaryR]

If I have done my maths correctly (and some will know that maths is not my strong point ), SSG summer school prices this year are:

£325 for members booking before 1 May
£365 for non-members booking before 1 May
£170 for U18s booking before 1 May

Assistance for those who are unwaged, on a low income, or students may be available from the McElligott Fund, on application to the Trustees. Not exactly a bursary, but help is available.

As Musicus says, we don't run summer school to make a profit. If we're lucky, there is a small gain which may then be used to subsidise the following year but, more often than not, we just about break even. I understand that we have deliberately not increased the prices from last year's to try and assist people in the current financial climate.

[docmattc]

You can now find details of the Summer School linked from the home page. Having met with the team today, I can report that it promises to be a great week. Fr Tim and Paul have obviously put a great deal of thought into the structure of the Summer School.

[organist]

Funny how everything always comes down to money but it is a serious point. The Church does very little to support training of its musicians. Relevance is a more pertinent matter and I do remember how much we enjoyed summer school. But it's not a holiday in any way and I have to think about what rest I need so I can carry on with all that I do (far too much of course). We spent a lot last year but it was worth every penny especially the Holy Land pilgrimage. We also went to a school reunion in South Africa and visited Canada and a cruise to Alaska! We may go on pilgrimage to Poland this June but the cost is high so it might be that some quiet time in a monastery or two will have to be it!!!
Keep up the good work!

[SOP]

I mentioned the Summer School on another thread so thought I would dust this one off.

I am looking forward to it and hopefully will not be weeping with hay fever all the way through. Will be going prepared with eye drops, nose sprays etc

Important question: what are the bar facilities like? Do you ever have a 'newbies' corner? For the lone attendee the bar can be daunting until you have spent time with people. Just a thought.

[docmattc]

Important question: what are the bar facilities like? Do you ever have a 'newbies' corner? For the lone attendee the bar can be daunting until you have spent time with people. Just a thought.

There will certainly be a bar at Summer School, social time is an important part of the week! I want to avoid a 'newbies' corner' though. It would create too much of an artificial segregation. I believe Fr Timothy and Paul W will arrange for us to get to know people early on Monday evening and there's a Big Sing before the bar opens, so we'll have all sung together and moved round to meet people (at least who sing the same part as ourselves). So by bar time, we'll have spent time with people and hopefully it won't be daunting to anyone. I didn't find it so on my first Summer School and I'm in no way an outgoing character.

[HelenR]

I didn't find it daunting on my first summer school last year either. Everyone was really friendly and easy to talk to.
I just wanted to ask if anyone is coming from North Kent South East London and would like a lift. I am picking up someone else I met in School last year and there is still room in the car for more
Helen

[organist]

Yes everyone is very friendly and at my first summer school I was in the bar until the early hours. Mind you a certain person was giving me an earful! We had a wonderful holiday in Scotland in June - 900 miles of driving but fabulous scenery and a superb day on Orkney. We also visited Skye, Jacobite steam train, Inverness, the Castle of Mey which we loved and Culloden. Photos of the new church at Culloden, St Columba's are on my blog Organist librarian.
Have booked for Panel of Monastic musicians at Doaui in September which features Martin Baker and planning to come to the AGM as our youngest son is now in Birmingham!