Q: I'm quite an advanced player, and I've taken many quartet courses before. Will "Basically Quartets" be too easy for me?
A:
It can be whatever you want it to be, if the group you are working with
are at your playing level. Many of the other activities offered will
address issues common to all chamber music players, regardless of
level. And if you feel that, for instance, you already know enough
about quartet literature, you can opt out of that elective.
Q: I
play at a grade 4/5 level, and I've never played string quartets
before, but would love to try. Is there any point in me signing up?
A:
We'd love to give you an introduction to the wonderful world of quartet
playing! An interest in learning is the only essential prerequisite. But
you would want to play in a group with players of similar expertise and
experience. See if you can round up some like-minded friends to join you, or let us know that you're interested, and we'll do our best
to match you up with compatible players.
Q: Two other members of my quartet would like to register, but our 2nd violin isn't available. Could we still take the course?
A: Absolutely. You'd have two options: 1) you could work on a trio, or 2) we can try to find a suitable violinist to fill in.
Q: Our group would like to work on an oboe quintet. Would this be possible?
A:
Definitely! As long as your oboist knows that some elective and
group activities are geared toward string players.
Q: What about trios?
A:
Certainly. Again, the course is based on
the string quartet genre, but will certainly be relevant to
all chamber players. And there will be many opportunities to play
quartets too, outside your group's rehearsal and coaching sessions.
Q: We'd like to work on a piano quartet. Will that be possible?
A: Unfortunately, not this year. There isn't a piano at Noddfa.
Q: I like getting together
with friends to read quartets, but I don't like getting coached, and
feel that I already know enough to enjoy what I'm doing. Would I enjoy
this course?
A: Not likely.
FAQs
