Allan Withington reputation for exploring the musical senses will once again come to the fore on his popular Conducting Summer School Course which will be held in Leeuwarden in The Netherlands from the 13th to the 18th July.
Over the years he has incorporated underlying links to elements of freedom, food and even fashion, and this year he will explore a very different sense of musicality — that of smell.
The Fragrance of Music
'The Fragrance of Music' will explore how music can affect different senses. As Allan told 4BR, it's a kind of 'Eau de Brass' — a type of perceptive synaesthesia".
The course is renowned for providing a dynamic musical environment — with conductors of differing levels of expertise and experience having their skills sets enhanced and developed in a focused week of individual and ensemble tuition and guidance.
Allan added: "I believe that it's important to offer the delegates a fully rounded experience on the course — so we will once again look at different aspects of conducting, not just the technique of making a band play well. Becoming a better conductor also means becoming a better musician."
Different strands
Many different strands of the job of conducting will be explored, including conducting technique, interpretation and preparation of scores, rehearsal planning, rehearsal adaptation and repertoire selection. Allan's eclectic approach will also encourage different topics to be raised, explored and discussed — especially around this year's underlying theme.
The delegates will work alongside Soli Brass Leeuwarden and Greidebrass, whilst the guest lecturer will be composer Stan Nieuwenhuis. The first Sunday will be dedicated to helping the Third Division Greidebrass, prepare Stan's newly commissioned work, 'A Buoy', which will be given its world premiere as the set-work at the Dutch National Championships in November.
The day will also be open to other Third Division band to come along to observe Allan Withington breaking down the music in a dedicated rehearsal to realise the composer's musical ideas and intentions.
Be inquisitive and be bold — and come and have plenty of fun with people who will help you develop as a conductor and as a musicianAllan Withington
Be inquisitive
There are still a couple of places available for conductors who wish to improve their skill sets amid a friendly, but hard working environment of support and excellence.
As Allan concluded: "Be inquisitive and be bold — and come and have plenty of fun with people who will help you develop as a conductor and as a musician. We'll even try to find out why we pick out favourite aftershaves and perfumes too!"
Contact:
If you are interested in attending the 2019 Course, please contact with a brief CV:
