One of the most influential conducting courses in the banding world is once again set to take place in Leeuwarden in northern Holland.
For the eighth time, Allan Withington will lead his 'Conductor Summer School', with 12 delegates from eight different countries making the trip to the pretty Dutch town to enjoy six days (2nd- 8th July) of intensive musical direction.
Delegates
Those taking part this year are; James MacCafferty (Ireland); Ward Mangelschots (Belgium); Rob Jacobs (Netherlands); Nick Walkley (England); Chris Rawden (Belgium); Boris Oppliger (Switzerland); Kris Vervloet (Belgium); Pascal Maillard (France); Kristian Thulin (Norway); Ray Munday (Scotland); Wilbert Zwier (Netherlands); Paul van Dalen (Netherlands)
The course has gained widespread acclaim for its innovative approach to the conducting art — from working alongside student fashion designers to this year bringing the course to the local historic prison.
Communication
It also continues to explore the modern day challenges of effective communication — with the delegates working extensively with rhetorician Mette Hojen from the University of Copenhagen.
Allan told 4BR: "The course is fully subscribed and as always we have had a waiting list. I believe we offer something unique — a course designed to inspire as well as improve.
Each delegate offers so much potential to work on — from individual tuition and to ensemble masterclasses — and that gives us so much scope to be inventive."
He added: "Course Administrator Anja Abma has done another fantastic job in the run up and we are all looking forward to working with the students."
Worldwide
Anja and Allan started the course eight years ago and have now worked with delegates attracted from as far afield as Australia and Zambia as well as Europe and the UK
The success of the course has also been reflected by the delegates themselves — many of who have attended on numerous occassions.
In past few years alone conductors have gone on to direct bands at the European, Swiss, Norwegian and Dutch National and entertainment Championships, as well as expand their portfolios of conducting experience with wind bands and orchestral ensembles — from Spain to Sweden.
Fantastic training
Mette Hojen added: "The Summer School provides a fantastic training programme for ambitious conductors — as can be seen by those who have gone at to enjoy further success at different levels and genres levels. The participants can expect fast and intensive learning curves.
Allan is an inspiring conductor to work with — always challenging old ways of doing things and old ways of thinking. I'm looking forward to my third course as part of the team and to help make all the conductors even better leaders and communicators."
Allan is an inspiring conductor to work with — always challenging old ways of doing things and old ways of thinkingMette Hojen, University of Copenhagen
Triumph of Time
The delegates will work with Soli Brass, runner-up at the 2015 Dutch National Championship, as well as the current Dutch First Section champion, Pro Rege Heereveen on repertoire that will include Peter Graham's 'The Triumph of Time', which is to be used at both the British Open and Dutch National Championship later this year.
Joining them will be one of Holland`s foremost young dancers, Stephanie van der Wiel with performers from the Frisian Youth Dance Academy aided by the haunting voice of professional singer Fardau van der Woude.
