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Press quote from Govenor Derek McGill of Polmont Young Offenders Institute regarding the Scottish Ensemble's Inspire Prison Project.
'The Scottish Ensemble provided a fantastic opportunity for a number of young men to work with, and experience, a musical and cultural experience they could never have anticipated.
To work with Professional musicians, learn from them both musically and morally, was a positive learning experience. The musicians were fantastic and their encouragement and enthusiasm soon rubbed off on those attending the sessions.
From this type of activity the learning outcomes include teamwork, improved communication, improved self-esteem and increased awareness about how other young people interact and behave with others. Every young offender who participated in this project showed real personal development. As the Governor of Polmont I was particularly pleased with the application and determination of the young men involved´
Derek McGill
'The Scottish Ensemble provided a fantastic opportunity for a number of young men to work with, and experience, a musical and cultural experience they could never have anticipated.
To work with Professional musicians, learn from them both musically and morally, was a positive learning experience. The musicians were fantastic and their encouragement and enthusiasm soon rubbed off on those attending the sessions.
From this type of activity the learning outcomes include teamwork, improved communication, improved self-esteem and increased awareness about how other young people interact and behave with others. Every young offender who participated in this project showed real personal development. As the Governor of Polmont I was particularly pleased with the application and determination of the young men involved´
Derek McGill
Sharing music in a multitude of ways, outside of a traditional concert hall environment, has been the challenge for musicians in recent years. Aside from sharing music through teaching at the RSAMD and Aberdeen University and conducting masterclasses, I have been fortunate to be involved with various groups and festivals in taking live music into situations where it might not normally be heard.
While performing for organisations including The Brighton Early Music Festival; The North Aldborough festival; The Scottish Ensemble and Peebles Arts Festival, I have been involved in giving workshops on early music at primary and secondary schools; given informal performances at a Special Needs School, and old persons homes; coached and performed in lunchtime concerts in prisons involving collaborations between professional musicians and inmates. These opportunities to introduce people, especially the vulnerable and deprived, to music they have never experienced before, in an environment that is safe and familiar to them, have been meaningful experiences for me.
While performing for organisations including The Brighton Early Music Festival; The North Aldborough festival; The Scottish Ensemble and Peebles Arts Festival, I have been involved in giving workshops on early music at primary and secondary schools; given informal performances at a Special Needs School, and old persons homes; coached and performed in lunchtime concerts in prisons involving collaborations between professional musicians and inmates. These opportunities to introduce people, especially the vulnerable and deprived, to music they have never experienced before, in an environment that is safe and familiar to them, have been meaningful experiences for me.
Renaissance Music Week at Englesholm Castle
Englesholm Castle, Denmark
The Englesholm Early Music Week is residential course held in an amazing 16th century house that once belonged to the Brahe family. The course brings together tutors and students from all over Europe. The courses' objective is to give participants the experience of reading and performing Renaissance music from facsimilie scores. Tuition is available on Lutes, Viols, Voices, Recorder and other wind instruments and all participants are involved in chamber music groups and choir.
I teach classes in lute, Renaissance style improvisation and coach a chamber music class.
Click on the picture to visit the Course website which has further information, prices and an application form.
I teach classes in lute, Renaissance style improvisation and coach a chamber music class.
Click on the picture to visit the Course website which has further information, prices and an application form.
Workshop Topics
From Rock to Baroque
Primarily aimed at those with some experience at playing an instrument and especially suited to guitarists, this workshop uses chord progressions familiar in both rock and baroque music, specifically Pachelbel´s Canon and Vivaldi's La Folia Variations to introduce the idioms of baroque music to the participants who end by creating their own variations on the theme.
Music for Shakespeare's Theatre
An introduction to the original music written or adapted for some of Shakespeare´s plays, including music by Thomas Morley, Robert Jones and Robert Johnson, along with many popular songs and dance tunes of the day, presented in different guises to engage participants, with historical, political and artistic context.
Music of the Tudors
A look at the music of 16th century England, with pieces from the reigns of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. Including compositions by Henry VIII himself, leading composers of his court and music dedicated to his daughter Elizabeth from throughout her reign. Audience participation comes in the form of singing rounds by William Cornish, and playing percussion for Elizabethan dances.