Inspiring coaching with chamber professional Matt Sharp, and students shine in our first Performance Platform - Overture Week Day 4
19th July 2019
Family and teamwork have been at the heart of music in Winchester today!
The incredible Matt Sharp in action with our students
Thursday THitness (Fitness) was our rather tenuously named but hugely energetic warm up this morning. Our students were put through their paces with early morning aerobics 80s dance moves and stretches to get everyone ready and excited for the day ahead!
Thursday THitness
We were back into music making with smiling faces. Today we were joined by Ingenium favourite Matt Sharp, coaching our students with great spirit and encouragement. He also challenged them to ‘think of time as an elastic band’, ensuring flexibility in tempo and using gestures to highlight the musical phrasing. It was lovely to see the students coming into their own and growing in confidence.
Matt Sharp coaching our chamber musicians
Another of our key piano staff, Hiro Takenouchi, joined our team today, to give individual lessons to each of our students. It was fascinating to witness the level of detail that went into refining each of the challenging pieces they were playing, and how this real technical focus enhanced the playing tremendously.
Piano lesson with Hiro Takenouchi
All our composers have workshopped their pieces with their players really well. They have been supportive to the players, open to interpretations but also clear and specific about what they are looking for. The composers learnt to convey their full intentions on paper, making their music more readable for the player and more professional. After the workshops all the composers reflected on the work done and adjusted their pieces accordingly, improving them all enormously.
Composition students hard at work
Following our whole school meeting and the announcing of the musicians of the day, the first Performance Platform of the course took place, which was a great opportunity for soloists and chamber groups to play for the rest of the musicians in a friendly and supportive environment. There were brilliant performances all round from Ioannis performing solo unaccompanided Bach on his violin to Isabella on the clarinet and Boccherini from some of our chamber musicians. The students had every right to celebrate their tremendous efforts.
Isabella on the clarinet
No doubt there will be lots more celebrating in the next two days: we have our Friday lunchtime and Oxford concerts to come! What a treat it’s going to be. Check back tomorrow to see the results!
Our happy piano students
See more photos from this summer on our Facebook page.
Musicians of the day:
- Piano: Ingrid, for giving a passionate, dramatic rendition of her Scriabin and growing in confidence both musically and in language
- Chamber Ensemble: Scarlatti (Agnese, Aukje, Enrico, John and Nicolas) for being responsive and open with each other as well as with staff and for creating a supportive atmosphere in masterclasses and always reaching for more. The sky is the limit for what they can achieve with their performances!
- Composers: Alessandro, for working extremely hard, being clear about what he wanted to hear and encouraging the musicians; Liza, for coming out of her shell, being inquisitive about alto clef and writing better for viola; and both, for visiting James and supporting him after their workshop, listening to others work and taking joy in others’ progression as well as their own
Our Programmes
More information on our seven programmes: Chamber Music, Composition, Conducting, Orchestral, Piano, Saxophone and Vocal.
Programmes range from 1 week to 4 weeks long. Students can attend one immersive programme, or broaden their experience by combining programmes to suit their interests.
Any Questions?
We love speaking to young musicians, teachers and families from around the world - so don't hesitate to get in touch, we'd love to hear from you!
Email: info@ingeniumacademy.com
Phone: +44 (0)20 7060 4076
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