NORVIS 2026: the daily musical programme is expected to be as follows, except on Wednesday, when the afternoon is free:
1st morning session – technique class on your chosen instrument or voice.
2nd morning session – small groups, or a further lute technique class.
Lunchtime ‘Promenade concert’ – an informal performance opportunity.
1st afternoon session – Choir or Orchestra or Recorder Ensemble or free time for informal playing.
2nd afternoon session – ‘A Choice of Delights’ – a wide range of activities,
different each day, with choices made during the week.
Evening concerts in the school: on Sunday and Monday these are presented by the tutors; Tuesday and Thursday concerts involve participants; a final concert on Friday involves the Choir, Orchestra and Recorder Ensemble, amongst others. Wednesday evening will have a different form of musical entertainment.
First morning session – technique tuition
Information about the tuition classes is on the Music List – Tuition Classes.
Second morning session – ensembles
In this session, the emphasis is 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 choose music within your technical grasp so that everyone can have a satisfying session. Groups will stay together for the whole week and will be tutored for around half of the time.
Please use the box on the application form to tell us your aspirations and we will try to give everybody a satisfying experience: all requests will be considered and will be accommodated wherever possible, provided they result in viable groups. Not all the following groups will necessarily take place, as we aim to meet participants’ aspirations as far as possible.
Baroque Chamber Music may include trio sonatas, with two (or more) melody parts and basso continuo, or cantata movements for voice with instrumental obbligato. This option is suitable for competent melody line players (violin, recorder, flute, oboe and sometimes viol or bassoon) and solo singers, and for keyboard, lute/theorbo and bass instrument players. Please contact the Administrator if you would like more information.
Directed Recorder Ensemble may be directed all the time by a tutor. It is intended for recorder players who would like a little more help either in holding a part or in playing a less familiar instrument in a group situation. There may be more than one person to a part.
Lute Ensemble may explore lute technique with a more specific focus on continuo and ensemble. (Lutenists may also choose to join a Baroque Chamber Music group.)
Recorder Consorts may be groups of (normally) four to six players, each having their own part. The focus will be on the interpretation of the music chosen, bringing it to life whether it is simple or challenging in terms of technique.
Ensemble Singing may concentrate on interesting pieces in three to five parts. These pieces will be fairly homophonic, to assist sight-reading. There may be the possibility of joining with instrumentalists later in the week to work on consort anthems/songs that singers and players have prepared separately.
Viol Consorts may be groups of (normally) four to six players, each having their own part. The focus will be on the interpretation of the music chosen, bringing it to life whether it is simple or challenging in terms of technique.
First Afternoon Session
Information about the music to be sung/played by the Choir, Orchestra and Recorder Ensemble will be given on the Music List – Afternoon Session 1.
Choir, directed by Andrew Fowler, is open to all. There are opportunities for solos. Music will be provided.
Orchestra, directed by Chris Orton, is open to all players of orchestral wind and stringed instruments, all at A=415. Music will be provided and can be sent in advance on request, nearer to the time of the course.
The Recorder Ensemble, open to all recorder players, meets at the same time as the Choir and Orchestra. Under the direction of Peter Wendland, the ensemble will explore consort repertoire that may include multi-choir pieces, one or two to a part.
Second Afternoon Session
The Choice of Delights sessions will be listed on a leaflet and on the notice board and participation is on a sign-up basis for each day.
Evening Concerts
The concerts on Sunday and Monday are produced predominantly by the tutors. On Tuesday and Thursday, we encourage Participants to perform. On Friday, the Orchestra, Choir and Recorder Ensemble perform works prepared during the week in the Final Concert.
A more informal performance opportunity is provided in Lunchtime Proms which are organised according to demand during the NORVIS week.
A different format of musical entertainment will be provided on Wednesday evening.
NORVIS - Early Music Summer School 