Saturday 3rd – Saturday 10th August 2024, Barnard Castle, County Durham
See photo gallery – 2024 photo selection
Our third year at Barnard Castle School, NORVIS 2024 was an outstanding week of music greatly enjoyed by the 90+ participants and excellent team of 14 tutors. Andrew Fowler, NORVIS musical director led the magnificent musical offering. A healthy mix of returning NORVIS participants and many new faces, as usual, NORVIS included people from near and far – including New Zealand, Japan, China and the USA as well as several European countries. A fantastic (and ever-growing) group of younger participants – all amazing musicians – was a most welcome feature. (Note: NORVIS has a generous Bursary scheme open to all to apply to, and lower fees for those aged 25 and under.)
Amongst our wonderful team of musicians, Chris Orton (recorder) took on the job of organising all the classes and second session groups. With two of our regular recorder tutors, Oonagh Lee and Jane Rumney, unable to be with us this year, we were delighted to have Annabel Knight and Lou Bradbury in their places. Mary Tyers and Chris Orton completed the quartet. Peter Wendland joined the viol tutors (Jacqui Robertson-Wade, Alison Kinder and Susanna Pell) following last year’s retirement of Elizabeth Dodd (who sent greetings to all). Richard MacKenzie (lute and guitar), John Treherne MBE (harpsichord) and Andrew Fowler (singing) were joined as usual by Michael Williamson (strings / NORVIS Baroque orchestra) and Tim Harper (accompanist). As part of an expanded offering this year, Julie Dean (London Recorder Shop) gave much welcomed technical service for recorders, as well as coaching and leading some choice of delight sessions, and Merion Attwood provided a very popular technical service for viols. We were also joined by Jacks, Pipes and Hammers music shop, the Early Music Shop, Rondo Publications and AK Publications. On Wednesday, we were delighted to be entertained by medieval music duo Trouvere.
At NORVIS, it is possible to spend the entire day from about 7.30 am to late at night playing music in informal and formal sessions. Exhausting – but hugely rewarding! Most people take a slightly more moderated approach, but nevertheless enjoy the first (tuition class) and second (small ensemble groups), afternoon (choir / orchestra / recorder ensemble), Choice of Delight and evening concert – with some finishing the day with the Epilogue. The second session in the morning at NORVIS encompasses a range of different instrumental (and vocal) ensemble groups including ‘Baroque chamber music’ and these are supported by coaching from the tutor team during the week. This makes it possible to develop the first-study instrument or to opt to play a different instrument in the second session. At lunchtime, there are short informal ‘Prom’ concerts where groups or individuals can give a performance in a more relaxed surroundings. The afternoons can be busy (as described above) or provide respite and relaxation. Set in a pleasant, historic market town with lovely surrounding countryside, there were opportunities to explore the environs, including in two of the Choices of Delight, Mary Tyers’ guided walks. We were fortunate with the weather, which was relatively dry and not too hot for the week.
NORVIS is marked by an outstanding series of evening concerts. This year was absolutely up to the mark. Sunday evening’s concert, conceived and directed by Ali Kinder, The Leaves be Greene, was a brilliant evocation of the passing of a year, told in early music and folksong. The performers were mostly tutors but with some participants enlisted. Monday evening saw a de-camp to the next-door Bowes Museum’s blue gallery for a celebratory glass and a concert (dedicated to the memory of former NORVIS singer, violist and treasurer, the late Simon Squires) by the tutor team. Andrew Fowler curated another finely-crafted sequence of music. This year it was a concert of Tafelmusik, entitled Table Manners and forming a menu for a three-course dinner – with trimmings provided by the audience of NORVIS participants and guests singing three different rounds or catches. Tuesday and Thursday evenings’ delightful concerts were largely provided by course participants. Friday’s final concert included a couple of reprises from Sunday and Monday, as well as upbeat and high quality performances by the choir, orchestra and recorder ensemble, contributing to a ‘France vs Italy’ theme. See the links to the programmes for more details.
With most of the course attendees living in at the school, there was a strong social element to the week, with the Sixth-Form Centre the hub for relaxing and chatting, with an honesty bar, the NORVIS ‘office’ to sort out any niggles and the huge array of notices about the course, as well as a hub for ‘resources’ including the NORVIS library, Julie, Merion, Peter Booth and the EMS, Rondo, AK and even one class taking place there in the morning. Wednesday afternoon saw a break from classes and groups, and a chance for tutors to have some down time. A group visit to see the Silver Swan in action and a tour of the galleries at the Bowes Museum was enjoyed by many participants. We had an excellent evening’s entertainment by Gill and Paul (of Trouvere), who demonstrated 20 medieval instruments and then led a medieval ceilidh. Thursday afternoon brought the (brief) AGM of NORVIS, a registered charity, of which all the participants in the course are members for the forthcoming 12 months. The existing group of trustees were elected to serve again, but it is hoped to enlist one or two more people to help the team during the next few months.
After Friday’s epic final concert, the annual raffle, in aid of the generous NORVIS Bursary Fund, and post-concert chilling brought a happy (and rather late evening) end to the course. Saturday morning was time to pack up, tidy and clear and depart. How quickly the week had flown past! Particular mention ought to be made of the brilliant work done by administrator, Deborah. Also many thanks for the loan of such a large number of excellent harpsichords and spinets, marshalled and maintained by John Treherne. Thanks to the school, especially the domestic staff for their care and friendliness. Thanks to everyone who took part in NORVIS 2024 in whatever way. Well done!
NORVIS 2025 starts on Saturday 2nd August next year!
NORVIS - Early Music Summer School 