I am going on the course for the third time this year - I don't know whether it would be of interest to other adult players/students who are not part of a regular group. I have really enjoyed it in the past and know that they make every effort to match up individual players.

"Are you a string player looking for a summer course with a difference? Want to spend 5 days in an idyllic setting immersing yourself in chamber music? Want to learn about the nuts and bolts of quartet playing on a small course? Check out Basically Quartets and see if this could be the course for you.
We accept preformed groups and individual players. We welcome players at various levels of ability and experience so putting together groups is interesting! We are particularly looking for:
- a violist who might be new to quartet playing, or perhaps a violinist who has viola as their second instrument
- a strong, experienced leader (Grade 8+ standard)
- a violinist who enjoys playing second, but has been itching to give 1st violin a try.

Basically Quartets is running twice this summer: Opus 1 from August 14-19; Opus 2 from August 20-25, both just outside Penmaenmawr, North Wales. Lots of photos on the website to entice you!"

W

I met the guy who runs Penmaenmawr when I went to Yorks Late Starters Strings a few months back (I was think of starting cello again and buying one, previous time I played was in 1964) I cant remember his name now but he was pleasant and quite a good motivator. Unfortunatley I still havent been and bought a cello , though I did OK with a borrowed one at Yorks LSS.

That might have been George Kennaway (although I don't think he RUNS Penmaenmawr) - he is involved in both... Go on f# - you know you really NEED a cello...

W

Yep he was a George, and was tutoring the intermediate quartets I think. Came from Harrogate.
Im still mulling over buying a cello, dont think I want to bother with lessons, just muck about on one, I was about Grade 4 when I left school, but it was demotivating me cos I had an ALCM on piano and Grade 8 on organ, and I seemed to be playing very simple stuff ! Now Im retired I have time to spare.

I would love to do this and I think I fit the bill at Grade 5-6 viola and never having played in a string quartet before... but I have too much on this year already and just can't fit in any more trips away from home.

I'll keep it in mind for the future though

That's a shame - it would have been nice to meet you...

W

Can I just endorse what Willobie has said: this is a great course.

Tutors are lovely, house/area is lovely, food is fantastic, music is fun!

(Shame you can't come this year, lottie!)

I'd agree with Willobie and Geranium too. I thoroughly enjoyed the course last year.

Well worth it if you're at all interested in chamber music

I'm hoping to do something this summer - haven't worked out what yet and this is on my list. Not too far either - hour and a half's drive.

I would love to do this course, but unfortunately it is during exam result season, which as a careers adviser is about the only time of the year when I can't get out of work.

If only the government could pursuade the exam boards to hold onto A level results for an extra week! (I'm sure it's not too much to ask so that I can go on a music course!)