The Week

Lessons, Masterclasses and Workshops

Monday to Friday is when the core of the lessons, masterclasses and workshops take place.  The groups are divided up in to three basic categories on application – conservatoire level students or young professionals and those working towards applying for conservatoire education, young beginners from around aged 7, and adult amateurs. There are a limited number of 16 places for the core group of students so apply now to guarantee your place!

The main student group will have an individual lesson every day with one of the tutors, and will have access to a pianist in some of these lessons depending on repertoire and timetabling. They will also be able to watch lessons like masterclasses, and will have chamber music workshops timetabled on a couple of afternoons.

The adult amateurs will have open workshops on two days of the week with two of the tutors where they have the opportunity to have lessons on pieces they are learning, and play with piano. They will spend the two afternoons playing chamber music and working on ensemble playing.

The young beginner level pupils will have access to lessons with James or Joshua and will also take part in group workshops and learn some fun chamber music pieces!

The exact timetable of lessons and workshops will be organised closer to the time when we have received all our applications.

Cello Orchestra

Aboyne Cello Festival presents many high profile concerts throughout the week. This not only brings the opportunity for course members to perform pieces they have been working on over the week, but also showcases the importance of chamber music, the cello orchestra, concerts from the tutors and the Aboyne Young Artist.

The Aboyne Cello Festival has benefitted from two resident arrangers who have provided the course with famous orchestral pieces arranged for cello orchestra. Over the years, the Giant Cello Ensemble has presented Elgar’s Cello Concerto, Carmen Suite by Bizet, the Jack Sparrow music from Pirates of the Caribbean, the Light Cavalry Overture by Suppe, Elgar Serenade, Haydn C and D major cello concerti, the Nutcracker Suite by Tchaikovsky, Bizet l’arlesienne suite, Henry Wood Sea Songs,  Schumann Cello Concerto and Vaughan Williams Fantasia on a Theme by Tallis.

Accompanists

Pianists will be resident throughout the time of the course to accompany lessons and rehearse for the students concert. It is advised that course participants let the Aboyne Cello Festival director know what repertoire they intend to bring by the 31st May.

Chamber Music

There will be smaller cello chamber music group opportunities throughout the week led by different tutors.  There is also an abundance of music for different ensemble sizes for anyone to get together and have fun playing through new repertoire at any point during the course.

Outline Timetable