You can read archives from: 2025 2024 2023 2022 2019 2018 (See drop-down menu for the full archive.)
NORVIS is a friendly, diverse and varied course, full of interesting classes, activities and concerts throughout the week. We think there will always be something for you to do, and you will be happily busy every day.
A typical day at a glance
(8.00 Breakfast, residents only)
9.15 First Session (tuition class)
10.45 Coffee/tea
11.15 Second Session (ensembles and Baroque chamber music)
12.45 Lunch
13.30 Informal Prom Concert
14.15 Orchestra/Choir/Recorder Ensemble/Free time
16.00 Coffee/tea
16.30 A Choice of Delights
18.15 Dinner
19.30 Concert (Wednesday, social event)
(21.30 Social time)
post-concert Epilogue (several evenings)
NORVIS offers a wonderfully packed and varied programme of activities. The first session daily, is a taught class in your chosen instrument or singing. These include Solo Bass Viol, Viol Consort, Recorder, Consort Singing, Harpsichord and Lute/Early Guitar. We have a large team of wonderful tutors.
After a cuppa, the second session puts emphasis on developing ensemble skills rather than individual technique. With the exception of the Directed Recorder Ensemble, players are expected to be able to sight-read (or prepare) their parts. Music is chosen by members of the group, either in advance or from the extensive NORVIS music library, with help from tutors as required. You are recommended to chose music within your technical grasp so that everyone can have a satisfying session. Each ensemble will be tutored for around half of the time.
After lunch, participants may join the NORVIS Orchestra, (with Christopher Orton) or the NORVIS Choir (with Andrew Fowler) or the NORVIS Recorder Ensemble (with Peter Wendland), or make their own informal playing groups – or have time to themselves.
After a cuppa, we have Choice of Delights sessions, a rich variety of classes given by the tutors, aimed to broaden our musical horizons.
Concerts each evening are by the tutors and participants. On Sunday and Monday the tutors give concerts in the ‘Big School’ hall. Tuesday and Thursday see concerts by participants supported by the tutors. On Wednesday, the afternoon is free (or you can opt for a tour of the Bowes Museum). On Wednesday evening at NORVIS 2025, PIVA – The Renaissance Collective played renaissance instruments in a very entertaining concert. We plan to invite visiting musical entertainment in 2026. The Friday concert is a culmination of the week’s work, and includes the Orchestra, the Choir and the Recorder Ensemble in performance.
NORVIS - Early Music Summer School 