Sunday 14 August 2022 FATB Play Day

Flutes at the Barns - Play Day - August 2022

Course Summary
Course Title:	Flutes at the Barns Play Day, Sunday 14th August
Date and times:	Sunday 14th August, 10 am - 5 pm.
Venue:	The Apex Studio, Trestle Arts Base, St Albans, Hertfordshire.
Bookings:	There are now LIMITED PLACES REMAINING

Sunday 14th August, Play Day

Read about this course below.

Course Description and Tutors

This Flutes at the Barns course is open to adult players of all abilities, whether new to the courses or returning FATBers. International participants welcome, as ever (guidance can be offered as to local accommodation in St Albans, or alternatively in central London, just 20 minutes away by train).

Course tutor Zoë Booth will welcome you to the Flutes at the Barns Play Day in August 2022! This Flute Day is aimed at those wishing to enjoy a day focussed on music-making together and maximising playing time. Strictly limited to no more than ten players, the day will feature eight busy sessions, based largely around rehearsing as a flute choir, using flutes of all sizes and with participants playing varied parts within the ensemble; music will cover as wide a range of styles as time permits. There will also be short, targeted group warm-ups for developing tone and other playing techniques, to boost individual and ensemble skills. A brief Ensemble Solutions Workshop will provide the chance for those attending to bring any questions, and/or perhaps for one or two pre-prepared chamber groups to offer a short piece and receive some expert tutoring. The session at the end of the day will bring together all the successes in a final play-through at concert level.

Flutes at the Barns has always encouraged a friendly and supportive atmosphere in which participants of any ability level can improve and make music together without pressure. All music will be provided, with parts assigned to suit your playing ability; please expect to sight-read. If you play piccolo, alto or bass flute, please do bring them; a pre-course questionnaire will ask a few basics about your playing, including which flutes you are prepared to play and/or bring. Those who do choose to take advantage of the brief performing opportunity will be given every encouragement from the tutor and fellow course-goers; those participants attending with friends who wish to offer a duet or other chamber music piece are recommended to prepare a short piece or excerpt as the basis for their masterclass, alternatively feel free to bring along your questions on flute-playing and/or playing with other musicians. Breaks and lunch are sociable events, with much like-minded musical talk.

Venue

Trestle Arts Base is a former church, now renovated to provide an artistic atmosphere for dancers, artists, musicians and the resident theatre company. Set in a quiet park within a housing estate, Trestle has a creative and spacious feel, exclusively for our use on the Flute Day. Musical activities will be held in the Apex Studio, a spacious room (step-free access by stairs or lift), providing us with a wonderful acoustic, lots of light and the attractive backdrop of the former church from which Trestle was so sensitively converted. Hot drinks, water and snacks will be provided on-site; please bring a packed lunch (there is a fridge which can be used if your lunch needs refrigeration). Trestle is a few minutes by taxi from St Albans City Station, and approximately ten minutes from St Albans town centre, a popular tourist destination for visitors to the Cathedral and Abbey of St Albans, the historic clock tower, the famous chartered market and Verulamium Park, with its’ lake, Roman remains and museum.

Lunch and Refreshments

Please bring a packed lunch to the Flute Day; there is a fridge available if your lunch needs refrigeration, just ask if so. To sustain your energy levels throughout the music-filled day otherwise, upon arrival and during morning and afternoon breaks, snacks, hot drinks and water will be offered - simply help yourself. Special diets are accommodated.

Other Information

Please note that submission of an application for any Flutes at the Barns course confirms your adherence to the terms and conditions. Please see the top of this page for further information and to read the Terms and Conditions.

Course fee:	£75 (£75 deposit payable upon application). The course fee is payable by BACS, PayPal or FATB Gift Vouchers, and is inclusive of full participation, snacks and drink refreshments.
How to apply:	It’s easy to apply, in just two steps: 1. Complete the online application form (see top of this page) 2. Submit your application form plus a deposit payment to the course administrator
Transport:	Nearest airports: Luton (approximately 20 mins away), London Stansted and London Heathrow (both approximately 1 hour away). Nearest train stations: St Albans City (approximately 5 mins away), which is on the St Pancras to Bedford/Luton line. There is plenty of free parking.
Access:	Trestle Arts Base is well equipped to accommodate visitors with mobility problems. If you have a particular physical need please speak to the course administrator before making your application, to ensure that the venue and activities can be happily suited to your requirements
Contact	Correspondence is by email unless otherwise requested. 1. Upon applying for the course you will receive confirmation of your application. 2. Once the course is filled, your place on the course will be confirmed. 3. Approximately three weeks before the course final details will be sent; at this point you will be asked to complete a pre-course questionnaire, to be returned no later than two weeks before the Flute Day. At any other time please do not hesitate to contact the course administrator with any queries.