Denmark Summer Early Music Workshops 2027.
About
The workshop series is an annual, intensive five days of immersion in Baroque music for singers and instrumentalists in the beautiful seaside hideaway of Denmark in Western Australia.
In 2027 our focus, particularly for the concert is music from the Court of Frederick the Great. We will work with those and other early music composers under the guidance of nine nationally recognized tutors in streams for Violin, Viola, Cello, Recorder, Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Harpsichord and Voice. Players with A415 and A440 instruments are welcome..
There will be two morning session. Our expert tutors will focus on the skills of baroque interpretation, playing styles and techniques as they apply to each stream in the first session and work on those skills in context in the second. Master classes will be provided to those who select this option.
Afternoons will be dedicated to the coaching of chamber/ensemble groups. Baroque and modern instruments will be catered for. Existing ensemble groups are encouraged to apply.
The programme is intense, but there's time to relax, take a picnic to the beach, enjoy local bars and restaurants. Optional events will be organised.
PUBLIC TUTOR CONCERT
The week begins with our public Tutor Concert curated by Andy Skinner from 'Australian Baroque' and featuring all nine tutors in a joyful presenation of 'Music from the Court of Frederick the Great'.
Workshop participants are given two tickets to the concert.
FINAL CONCERT
Our work throughout the week will culminate in a final concert for participants and friends
TUTORS
STRINGS: Shaun Lee-Chen, Concertmaster of Australian Brandenburg Orchestra.
CELLO: Noeleen Wright, Perth based Baroque specialist
VIOLA: Alix Hamilton, distinguished Perth based violist
VOICE: Nicholas Dinopoulos, Melbourne based Bass-Baritone
DOUBLE REED: Oboe - Stephen Robinson, Prominent Australian Baroque Oboist
DOUBLE REED: Bassoon - Ben Hoadley, historical bassoon specialist,active performer in both historical and modern bassoon.
FLUTE: Andy Skinner, Baroque Flautist with Australian Baroque
RECORDER: Robyn Mellor, prominent Australian early music specialist recorder player, conductor and teacher from Canberra
HARPSICHORD: Stewart Smith, studied at Royal Academy of Music London, historical keyboard specialist and performer, WAAPA teacher.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TUTOR BIOS https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RtCYuFetKsveBRbvUfQvdRn-sEWsQ_3M/view?usp=sharing
GENERAL MUSIC INFORMATION
You will receive the repertoire for the morning sessions and the afternoon ensembles electronically by early November.
Each tutor will message participants with detail of the plans for the morning session and provide links to the repertoire.
Afternoon ensemble repertoire parts will also be provide electronically. Every effort will be made to place you appropriately. You will be given the instrumentation and details of players and links to the pieces to which you have been assigned. If you wish to make changes to your ensemble allocation we are happy to negotiate changes with you.
Scholarships: A number of full and part scholarships will be available depending on the success of grant applications. Scholarships will be awarded in October.
Proposed Daily Program Outline:
8.00 am Classrooms and common areas open for participants
9.00 - 10.15 Instrumental and Voice sessions
10.15-10.45 Morning tea
10.45-12.00 Instrumental and Voice sessions cont
12.00-1.00 Lunch
1.00 -2.15 Chamber music/ensembles
2.15 -2.45 Afternoon tea
2.45 -4.00 Chamber Music Ensembles
After 4.00 Several optional specialist lectures will be included. In 2026 Stewart lectured on Improvisations, Noeleen on Figured Bass. and Shaun presented a Master Class. This year’s offerings will be finalised closer to the date of the workshops.
Evenings
College rooms will all be available for practise or ensemble playing
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Participants can stay on site at the Agricultural College: $50 pp per night
The college has single rooms with a shared bathroom and a common room. People will be required to bring their own bedding (unless they are coming from outside the state in which case linen will be provided)
Lecture theatre and classrooms will be available for practice and informal playing in the evenings.
Participants can gather for (self catered) breakfast in common rooms, or the larger staffroom or dining room. There are barbecues and numerous outdoor tables.
Accommodation in Denmark town
There are many options, but January bookings are quickly filled during the year so an early booking is desirable.
Eating and Eating Out
Catered Lunches are an optional extra when you make your booking. Otherwise participants will bring lunch.
Restaurants and bars
A list of possibilities will be supplied .. and we'll organise a few gatherings at key places.
Ag College facilities
Common rooms have a fridge, microwave and kettle. Limited crockery and cutlery - perhaps consider bringing your own if you would like to prepare meals in house. Staff common room has fridge, microwave, toaster.
Location
WA College of Agriculture Denmark
South Coast Highway, Denmark WA 6333
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