Weekend Course — Music

Piano accompaniment, whether in a duo or chamber music setting, is distinct from simply playing the piano.

This course will enable students to develop a deeper understanding of the increased number of variables, possibilities and outcomes that emerge when pianists work in collaboration with other musicians. Accompanists also collaborate with artists in other art forms such as dance.

This course is designed to improve accompaniment skills so that students and those they accompany in the future can explore fully the richness of working in musical partnership.

WHO IS THE COURSE FOR?

Accompanists, chamber musicians, school teachers, instrumental tutors and students who wish to:

• learn how to work with other musicians as part of an ensemble

• consider how to improve rehearsal technique

• hone listening skills• develop awareness of visual and

other clues in both a rehearsal and performance setting

• realise the many different ways they can, as an accompanist, offer fellow musicians support

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must already have a solid pianistic technique which will allow them to focus on learning the different set of skills required in the art of accompanying. Some experience of accompaniment from which to draw and make reference would be preferable; however, this is not essential, particularly for those who would only like to observe during the course.

rcs.ac.uk/shortcourses

PIANO ACCOMPANIMENT

The enthusiasm of the tutor and the

professionalism of the soloists made this a truly wonderful course.

Piano Accompaniment student 2013

VENUE, DATE, COST

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland100 Renfrew StreetGlasgow, G2 3DB

9 February 2014Sunday 11.30am-5.30pm

Masterclass student: £98Observer: £49

COURSE OUTLINE

There will two levels of participation for this course:

• an active, masterclass student who will have the chance to play and receive coaching in front of an audience

• an observer

There are a limited number of places for playing students and so early booking is advised if you would like to apply for this opportunity.

The day will be divided into sections with each one focusing on a different aspect of accompaniment.

There will be both demonstrations from course tutors and instrumentalists, and masterclass-style participation within the sessions.

As an observer you will be able to watch and learn from these musical examples which are broken down in detail in front of you.

During the class there will be a focus on both the musical technique of piano accompanying and also on the ‘subtle skills’ indivisible from the art, such as teamwork and support which come from listening to and following others closely.

There will be opportunities for questions and discussion throughout the day and there will be a feedback/discussion session at the end so that everyone can recap on the ground which has been covered.

COURSE LEADER

Scott Mitchell

Scotland-based pianist Scott Mitchell has performed extensively as a chamber music pianist and accompanist throughout Great Britain, Europe, South America and the Middle East. As a result of his varied chamber music activities he performs regularly at St. John’s Smith Square, Purcell Room and the Wigmore Hall in London. He has also appeared at many of the world’s major festivals and the Edinburgh Festival Wiener Klassik.

As a recording artist Scott has released CDs for Chandos Records, ASV, Collins Classics, Black Box and Tosca Records. He has recorded Dave Heath’s Piano Concerto, “The Passionate”, with the BBC Concert Orchestra, recently released on the Freestyle classics label. He is a regular performer on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM and has also appeared on Channel 4 and the satellite Arts Channel.

Scott has performed with John Wallace (Trumpet), Michael Collins and Emma Johnson (Clarinet), Raphael Wallfisch (Cello), Andrew Watkinson (Violin), Richard Watkins (French Horn), James Bowman (Counter-tenor) Andrew Kennedy (Tenor), and also with the Duke Quartet. He performs regularly in a duo capacity with flautists Wissam Boustany, Katherine Bryan, Ruth Morley and Yvonne Paterson; clarinettists John Cushing and Maximiliano Martín; and saxophonists Simon Haram and Carole Sutherland. In competitions he has been awarded the Lisa Fuchsova Prize for outstanding chamber music pianist and the Eric Rice Memorial Prize for outstanding accompanist, both at the Royal Overseas League Music Competition in London.

Scott is a senior staff accompanist and chamber music coach at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow where he has also taught piano at the Junior Conservatoire. He is also one of the founding members of the Cantilena Festival on Islay, a festival for strings taking place on the island every summer.

PREPARING FOR YOUR COURSE

If you would like to take part as an active masterclass student, then you should:

• prepare a piece of accompaniment or chamber music

• inform the Short Courses team of your choice.

Please prepare any piece of music you feel is suitable e.g. one movement of a larger work or one song/aria.

Students can either bring an instrumentalist/singer to accompany or the course leader will organise the relevant players.

BOOK YOUR PLACE

All short courses can be booked online at www.rcs.ac.uk/shortcourses. Please select the course you wish to book and follow the instructions to confirm and pay for your course online.

If you wish to speak to a member of the Short Courses team, please get in touch at:

E: shortcourses@rcs.ac.ukT: 0141 270 8213

rcs.ac.uk/shortcourses

PIANO ACCOMPANIMENT