Allan Withington’s ever inventive Conductor’s Summer School is due to take place once again in Leeuwarden in Holland at the end of June.

Water

This year, conductors from all over Europe will enjoy a theme of ‘Ready, Steady, Wat…er?’ led by Allan with the hands on help of Soli Brass, in a week long course that aims to inspire the delegates technical as well as artistic musical development.

The course starts on Saturday 23rd and ends on Thursday 28th of June with a concert where the conductor’s showcase their progress to the local community.

Aim

Allan told 4BR: "The aim as always is to give the opportunity for conductors to develop their conducting skills alongside the ability to plan effective rehearsals, improve score reading, solve musical problems as they appear and plan innovative programmes.

It’s fun, challenging and opens up endless possibilities for the conductors in the future."

Stunning

Over the last three years, each course has developed its own theme, with an amazing open air fashion show produced last year in Leeuwarden’s picturesque town centre, which was filled with stunning models, wacky clothes and plenty of envious onlookers!

As over a quarter of Holland`s land mass is under sea level and the town has a intricate canal system of its own on hand, which has given rise to its nickname as the ‘Capital of Water Technology’, this year’s theme is based on the life giving properties of H2O – entitled, ‘Ready, Steady , Wat ... er?’

Push boundaries

Allan added: "As always we want to try and push boundaries and try something different. I’m sure we have done that again this year and everyone can look forward to having a great time.

To give the final concert that necessary edge, we will involve design students from Leeuwarden’s art college and we also intend to use the fantastic network of canals to create those ever important surprises!"

It’s fun, challenging and opens up endless possibilities for the conductors in the futureAllan Withington

Help and advice

Allan will lead the course and give one to one help and advice, whilst the student’s rehearsals are video recorded so that they gain a record of their development for further study.

Meanwhile, Robin Dewhurst will also be on hand to offer his unique views on programme planning and psychology of performance, whilst course organiser, Anja Abma will ensure that everything runs smoothly.

Success

Such has been the growing success of the event that places have been filled well in advance, although Allan revealed that this year they have been able to secure an extra three places that can still be filled.

One of last year's students Uwe Koeller, has since gone on to conduct the Austrian Brass Band of the University of Graz to the 2012 B Section European title in Rotterdam.

Get in touch

If you are interested then get in contact quickly to:

Allan Withington a.withing@c2i.net
Anja Abma anja.abma@home.nl