Has anyone ever been on the East London Late Starters Ochestra Summer School? I've just found the information on their website and it sounds really brilliant. Just wondered whether anyone else had ever tried it...
W

I haven't been on the summer school but I learn viola with ELLSO on Saturdays and have been away on a February weekend with them. The tutors are great and atmosphere is magical. There is lots to learn, lots of playing different styles of music and loads of informal music making in the evenings. I think janexxx has been to summer school, but I might be wrong about that.

I haven't been able to sign up for summer school this year due to ill health, and I think there are only waiting list places available now. I'm considering doing the Kodaly summer school instead this year - maybe ELLSO in 2007.

I think there are still places left on the COMA Summer School, which has a late starter strings option.

Lis

Your absolutely right, I've been twice I think, might be 3 times. It was absolutely brilliant. Everyone is very friendly so you don't have to worry about not knowing anyone.

The first year I signed up for everything, and by the end I was knashattered. The next time I decided to miss a couple of the options out so I had a bit of free time to do private practice or rest. There are full orchestra sessions (massive orchestra- everyone is in this) A and B orchestras (you get assigned according to ability). When I went there were Baroque Orchestra and Contemporary Orchestra options, and then you were also assigned to a chamber group (the best bit). There were also options for gypsy fiddle, jazz, conducting, improvising oh and an art option too. It depends which tutors are there what the options are I think each year.

And it all ends with a big concert followed by nosh and booze and jamming in the bar until the early hours.

Fantastic experience. I would thoroughly recommend it.

Wooo! I'm really glad you said that! It does sound fantastic and I have applied for it. I actually went along to the ELLSO today fo a taster session (maybe I met you, Onion!) and met some of the tutors. Apparantly I managed to get the last place on the Summer School so now I'm REALLY excited!

W

Oh, fantastic. I am so jealous. You will have a great time. I think that Anna is going as one of the tutors and she is really excellent for viola technique. She's been arranging music for evenings in the bar since before Christmas. Its great how excited the tutors get about going - they look forward to it as much as the rest! Has to be a good sign.

I haven't been able to get to ELLSO this term as I haven't been very well. Might have to give it a miss this term and get back to playing in September. I hope that you had a great time this morning. The viola players are always happy to have new players swell their ranks! We are somewhat outnumbered by the violins and cellos!!! Are you able to join ELLSO regularly or are you just planning on doing summer school?

Lis

I went to 3 technique sessions this morning - all with Anna! I thought she was really good! I fear I won't be able to go regularly - I am hoping to move quite soon which would make it impossible to get there. I think it's a great set-up and I found everyone there really friendly. I'm so looking forward to it!!!

W

The Summer School sounds excellent - I'm very envious! Hope you have a fab time

Willobie,

I'm glad that you got the chance to meet with Anna and the rest of ELLSO. Its always reassuring before you head off with new folk for a week to have checked them out in advance. As a viola player you will be in great demand for quartets and other ensembles!

It'll be great to hear about how you get on.

Lis

Thanks! It's ages yet and I'm already getting really excited!
W

I have been to a couple of COMA weeks and there I met Chris Surety, a leading COMA light and a big wig in ELLSO. Those COMA weeks helped rekindle my interest in music. I had the idea that all composers were dead germans with powdered wigs so it was good to meet contemporary composers for a drink in the bar. I very much liked the championing of the amateur ethos and I do remember the time when the early morning tai chi session was cancelled. The instructor had twisted her ankle the previous night when barn dancing. That kind of sums up COMA - a bit wild but fun.

Wow! That name rings a bell. I spent approx 2 years with ELLSO when I worked at London Hospital in Whitechapel back in 1986-9. I was living just round the corner from Diana Burrell who was the arranger and conductor of the tutti orchestra, as well as composer.

Very nostalgic memories!
Steve

I hope that you have a great time. I've been on the mailing list for a couple of years,live too far away for regular contact, but hope to turn up with my viola one day. ( I wish!!!) Hopefully try the summer school in a couple of years when I have taken grade 5 viola, and may be some use in an orchestra by then. Have a wonderful time there.

If you are interested, I can heartily recommend joining ELLSO for the regular Saturday class. I had to give it up, as it clashes with another course, but when I was with ELLSO, there were only 3 of us in the viola class - can't get better numbers than that!

Tom

I would love to but I'm about to move too far away. I went to visit for a morning and the viola class was very small - in one session I went to I was the ONLY viola! It did seem to be an excellent set up. Perhaps if our house sale falls through...

W