SUSSEX SCHOOLS CHAMBER MUSIC SCHEME

High quality and enjoyable chamber music making in a relaxed and
non-competitive environment

Co-ordinator & Musical Director: Rachel Dyker

Latest News.....

• The Regency Ensemble: The next Regency Ensemble concert will be on Wednesday 27th August 2008 at the Friends' Meeting House in Brighton...full details on the tutors page.
• Adult Amateurs: Spaces are available for all strings (particularly violins) in the large ensemble on the the workshop on Sunday 31st August 2008. Visit the adults page for more details and to apply online.
• Intermediate Courses: The next course will be taking place in October...full details will be on the intermediate page soon.
• Preparatory Courses: The next prep course will be on Sunday 26th October 2008. Full details and online application are on the prep page.
• Summer School: There are still spaces on the 2008 summer school...please go to the Summer School for full details and to apply online.

Introduction to the SSCMS
The Sussex Schools Chamber Music Scheme was established in 1996 in order to satisfy a gap in the musical education of young instrumentalists in the Brighton and Sussex areas.

The SSCMS runs various Schemes, which cater specifically for different groups of participants. Each scheme aims to encourage and develop the musical skills of the individual. Chamber music coaching is the main focus of each project; chamber groups are carefully organised so that each participant is playing with others of a similar standard. In addition, participants also work together in a large ensemble, which allows for musical interaction between varying ages and abilities.

SSCMS projects culminate in a performance by the participating chamber groups. This concert provides a focus for the coaching sessions, as well as a valuable listening experience for the participants. Each concert includes a chamber work performed by the tutors, which gives the participants the opportunity to hear a professional performance.

Playing chamber music requires high levels of verbal and non-verbal communication, therefore providing a valuable chance to develop inter-personal skills. This is one of the lasting benefits of participating in musical ensembles and the nurturing of these skills is fundamental to the SSCMS experience.

The SSCMS tutors, known as The Regency Ensemble, perform regularly in Brighton. They are all professional musicians who have extensive experience of playing and coaching chamber music at the highest level.

Schemes run by the SSCMS
Adult Amateurs: one-day workshops held three times a year for amateur musicians aged 18+. Each group is organised around a specific tutor, who coaches while playing in the group. Applicants can also apply to take part in the chamber orchestra session only.

Intermediate Courses: two-day, non-residential courses held twice a year for 11-17 year olds. Participants are expected to be approximately grade 5-8 standard. In addition to chamber groups and a large ensemble, Intermediate Courses incorporate individual coaching on chamber music parts.

Preparatory Courses: one-day workshops held three times a year for young instrumentalists aged 8-13 and approximately grade 2-5 standard. These projects provide an introduction to chamber music, focusing on the enjoyment of ensemble playing.

Summer School: a four-day intensive, non-residential chamber music course for 16-21 year olds. The course is aimed at those who are already post grade 8 standard. The end of course concert takes the form of a public recital in the Friends’ Meeting House in the centre of Brighton.

Year Round Projects: one-day workshops held in schools in order to provide high quality tuition to gifted and talented students. The performance given at the end of these workshops can be recorded and used for GCSE and AS assessments. Year Round Projects can be booked throughout the year by schools.

Interested?
If you would like to join the SSCMS mailing list or receive specific information on any of the Schemes listed above, please email info@sscms.org.uk

If you would like to support the SSCMS by making a donation, sponsoring a course or a concert or providing a participant bursary, please contact Rachel Dyker by emailing info@sscms.org.uk.

If you have been on one of our courses and would like to provide us with some feedback, then please take time to fill in an evaluation form.

"A very enjoyable & rewarding day. Excellent tutoring. Thank you.
(Good food too)."

"...Most importantly it gave me the opportunity to meet other musicians with similar interests to mine, perhaps this was my first step into playing chamber music on a more regular basis..."

"...you got around the fact that we four were all at different stages of our playing careers by directing your advice at exactly the right level for each person.... I couldn't believe how much we brought off in the performance."

"...good company, good food and excellent organisation."

"...a unique, wonderful and memorable occasion."

"Brilliant! A really great day and very inspiring."

"I felt really proud of them all, and of you for helping them achieve that"