Now I know it is only March, and we have just about got over Xmas 09, but don't really want to wait a few months before asking this question. Benslow are having a Christmas House Party starting on 24th December for four days. I just wondered if anyone had ever been to this in the past.

Hrm sounds interesting, although I don't think my family would agree...

I've just looked at their website. They don't give too much information but it doesn't seem to be aimed at pianists!

It says "instrumentalists" but yeah, I don't think it would be suited to us. More choir type stuff than anything, don't fancy that!

I stumbled across this by accident on Hot Courses:

"Benslow's traditional musical Christmas represents the best value around. Singers and instrumentalists, guided by our two excellent tutors, can make music formally and informally, relax in front of the open fire, and substitute gentle conviviality for the seasonal tyranny of the telly. We normally manage to form a choir and an orchestra, but there are also opportunities for taking part in smaller ensembles. If you have a copy, please bring Carols for Choirs 1 (OUP). You'll also eat rather well! Guests can arrive after 3 pm on Christmas Eve and will disperse after a hearty brunch on 27 December.

Fee: "£295 - £330."


EDIT: Just looked on their site, and just realised the wording is exactly the same. It does look more like choir stuff, but imagine there might be some limited opportunity for pianists.

I could teach you "twinckle, twinckle little star" beforehand...my masterpiece!!


If there were opportunities for pianists (and practice facilities) it would be great!

I need to get to work on that arrangement for you

Ohhh...I don't need any arrangement! I've already worked out my own....which my teacher found... "interesting"!!!!

I had never heard of this before, but it sounds interesting. Can anyone who has been to any of the courses there tell me what it is like?

I DID go a few years back.

I was the youngest there by about 30 years, regularly got man-handled over the tea trolley and ended up doing most of the washing up as apparently "the young people do it". I was easily the best player there although the singing standard was slightly better. I was pursued relentlessly by "Derek" (no Clive in sight) whose trousers had a ridiculous number of zips all down both legs - I didn't check the usual placing of a trouser zip before anyone asks. Alas I cannot publicly reveal the real obscenities (just think about the "comic" opportunites of the words "cracker", "stocking" and how many times Santa "visits" a year....) The friends I went with found it all MOST amusing but I'm afraid I suffered a temporary sense of humour bypass.

HOWEVER, since then Benslow has a new Big Cheese and I'm sure things would work differently. It is a pleasant setting and the accommodation was basic but comfy. I don't want to put anyone off going - I guess I was a tad unlucky.

This year, however, I think I'll head for the Caribbean.....

Bx

Thanks, Bagpuss. I was thinking about going but, in the nicest possible way, did wonder about the age group. I definitely don't want to do the washing up on what I thought might be a holiday.

Me neither. I had hoped it would be a few days of making serious-ish music in an away-from-it-all atmosphere, but it sounds as though the guests make up for the lack of festive television. I'm safely put off.

Thanks for the info.

Yes, that's a shame! It could have been good!
I've checked for other music school breaks on the web around Xmas time but haven't found anything!

I just have booked a baroque chamber course of Benslow in August.

It is only 3 nights course.... I hope there are no many washing up for a group!
(Altough I am good at it...)

To be fair my experience is not a true reflection of usual courses at Benslow. My feeling was that the Christmas lot mostly knew each other, went year after year and expected any new faces to do the chores etc.

Bx

I also came up with a version of this... before I could read music.. properly http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1tQ4gVnXKU

A friend of mine has been, so I asked what she thought of it. She would have been in her sixties at the time, enjoys singing and plays clarinet and bass clarinet. She's also been to clarinet courses at Benslow.

She writes:
I can't remember how long ago it was; possibly 5 years or more. I enjoyed it a lot. The group was small and varied and the food and ambience (a roaring fire in the hall!) was good. Benslow has been up-grading its accommodation so its more comfy now and, if the weather is good, the garden is very good. Funnily, I can't remember a thing about the music we made! Much varied carolling, I think, and instrumental work for those who fancied it.

I've been to Benslow lots of times, and have never heard of anyone having to do the washing up! Were the staff on holiday too? It's a lovely atmosphere there and I'm sure you will enjoy your course, oboe d'amore.

Thank you! I am so looking forward it!
I am also thinking to book Handel - The Chandos Anthems course in Dec.... if I was ok of August's course.(I hope my standard will not disturb people...) I shall see it.
Would be nice to see you in one of their course in the future.