Intermediate Strings course at Benslow Music Trust in Hitchin, October 22-25. In this area those dates are within the State schools' half term week.

Several players I know are going on the course, and I heard today that they could do with a couple more cellists to balance the number of violins enrolled. Details from the Benslow (Hitchin) web site below. I haven't been to Benslow myself for more than 20 years, but recent visitors that I know all seem to have enjoyed their courses there.

One of the violinists has now seen some of the music, and thinks that it could be a bit difficult for grade 3-4. I don't know if it's possible to see a sample before deciding to enrol if you are only around Grade 3 standard with little or no ensemble experience. Ensemble beginners usually need technically (and particularly rhythmically!) straightforward music while they get used to listening to anyone but themselves.

If you are interested you can ring 01462 420745 to check whether there are still places. There's more information on the Web site, including tutor biographies.
Basic information about the course from the web site:
http://www.benslow.org/residential-music-courses.php
Intermediate Strings (07/329)
Tutored by: Janet Hicks and Jen Lynch
22 - 25 October 2007 (Midweek course)
Expand your playing and ensemble experience, build confidence and enjoy yourself. Sectionals may be held in order to concentrate on technique and the music could explore keys from four flats to four sharps. Ideal for players of Grade 3 to 4 standard, with experience of shifting position on their instrument. If you would like to prepare the music please contact us. This course starts at 4.30pm on the Monday and finishes at 2pm on the Thursday.
Resident: £205.00
Non-resident: £170.00

How good a cellist would one need to be?

I don't know any more than the "grade 3 to 4" suggested in the blurb. Actually a Grade 8 player with no ensemble experience might well be less use on a course like that than a Grade 1 one with it! It might be possible to get in touch direct with one of the tutors (they have biographies via the Benslow Web site, but I haven't looked at them). Otherwise I expect the Benslow office would forward a message. As they have courses there every weekend it's quite likely someone picks up email 7 days a week.

One of the cellists from my adult learners' orchestra has just enrolled for the intermediate course and I know he was planning to get the music in advance, but he won't have had time to get it yet. PM me if you want to contact him.

Hope that helps.

I've only just caught up with this one! Whilst it's probably a bit late to enrol now, I just thought I'd say that I went on this course in the spring, about a month after I had passed my grade 3, and found the (cello) music challenging but not impossible after I had had it in advance to practice. Im not going this time as I've got a friend coming to stay from Australia just after the course is on and don't want to be away then. These courses are held quite frequently - there's another one in May 2008. I would definitely recommend them. The tutors are friendly and helpful and really get everyone to pull together.