Saturday 28th July – Saturday 4th August 2018, College of St Hild & St Bede, Durham
See photo gallery.
A wonderful week of music making, scarcely affected by building works at the college which meant we couldn’t use the Chapel. Indeed, using Caedmon Hall for concerts brought a new intimacy of sound which many enjoyed.
Each day brought a busy programme of tuition classes, tutored ensemble playing, choir / orchestra / own activities, a very varied Choice of Delights and an evening’s entertainment.
This was Andrew Fowler’s second year as Musical Director, and Alan Davis’ last as a recorder tutor after 40 years of dedication to NORVIS. The latter was marked by a concert of some of Alan’s compositions (recorder, song, viols) performed by his past and present students, travelling from afar to take part (one from California), and a gift of a specially crafted plate with raised lettering and picture of a recorder.
Mary, Queen of Scots, was the subject of a specially-commissioned script by Vivien Jones and accompanied by music of the time from Scotland and elsewhere. Vivien and Richard were present on Monday, too, for a Renaissance day, bringing a set of their viols for people to play.
Tuesday and Thursday saw student and tutor concerts featuring the usual eclectic mixture, performed to a high standard. Wednesday’s Ceilidh was popular as usual, with band 422 accompanying and giving a short introductory talk about the Northumbrian pipes.
Friday’s concert featured the NORVIS Baroque Orchestra under Michael Williamson’s direction performing Handel and Vivaldi, as well as Telemann’s flute and recorder concerto in E minor. The Choir and instrumentalists, directed by Andrew, performed Pachelbel’s Jauchzet (Psalm 100) (SATB double choir) and then the very moving set of cantatas by Buxtehude, Membra Jesu Nostri (SSATB solists, choir, 2 violins, viols, continuo). A fine end to a very successful week.
Documents of interest:
Brochure 2018 web
Music List 2018 revised
2018 daily diary
Choice of Delights 2018
2018 Tuesday concert
2018 Thursday concert
2018 Friday concert
NORVIS - Early Music Summer School 