14th International
Medieval Music and Dance Course
1-8 August, 2010
The Crusades
1095 - 1291
Raimbaut de Vacqueiras, Richard Coeur de Lion,
Walther von der Vogelweide, Conon de Béthune,
Thibault de Champagne...
Catherine Joussellin
Voice, fidel
Christophe Deslignes
Organetto, dance, storytelling
Xavier Terrasa
Medieval wind instruments
Philippe Bolton
Instrumental craft workshop
Medieval recorder
Saint-Bris le Vineux
Yonne - France
Aims
Each participant will receive a kit including an outline of the story, sheet music and facsimiles of the selected compositions, articles and a bibliography.
The educational purpose of the course is to make present-day musicians more aware of the various forms and functions of the religious, popular and courtly music of the Middle Ages, helping them to bring their own musical contribution to a group endeavour.
Participants will be encouraged to discover or develop their vocal, instrumental and dance skills, on the basis of their personal knowledge and interests, in the various workshops on offer. Modern as well as traditional instruments are welcome.
Organisation
Mornings will be devoted to practice in small groups with each of the teachers. In the afternoon, all the participants will work together with the teachers.
Programme for the week
Events during the week will include a teachers' recital, a lecture on the history of music, guided tours to places of historic interest, visits to wine cellars, outdoor dancing, musical parades through the village streets and two end-of-course performances.
The workshops
Voice
Exploring the monodic and polyphonic songs about the course's topic.
Medieval wind instruments
Open to musicians playing traditional (including copies) and modern instruments. Introduction to the oral tradition of the minstrels. Musical composition. Interpretation and improvisation of old and new instrumental forms.
Voice and instruments
Working out arrangements for small vocal and instrumental groups, covering monodies, timbres, sequences, conducti, motets, lais, rondeaux, ballads and refrains.
Dance
Investigating various ways of choreographing the dance music. Reconstruction of festive and ritual dances from the religious, popular and courtly traditions.
Medieval band
A band composed of all suitable medieval instruments will be set up at the start of the course to take part in the various events.
Instrumental craft workshop with Philippe Bolton
Making a medieval recorder. Participants will work in half-day periods to make a medieval soprano recorder from the kits provided. The recorders are theirs to keep, and they will also have learnt some "trade secrets" such as how to shape the labium, adjust the sound and tune the instrument.
MORE HERE