Every summer, 20-something musicians head off to courses around the world to hone their skills and have a lot of fun. Why aren’t these opportunities available to us oldies?
Really interesting article Ariane, as usual. I'm not sure where I fit into the various profiles of amateur/pro/adult learner etc but it will be interesting to see if you find places that offer the provision for 'serious' amateurs who mostly just want to play with others, but under some supervision. As a very late starter I have to practice certain things quite a lot in order to cope with the demands of the orchestral repertoire I'm playing and also enjoy having a go at the odd Bach Suite movement but realise that, as a septuagenarian, it is far too late to waste a lot of time trying to take it too seriously. Happy to chat to you if you like.
Thanks so much for reading, Roger! I strongly suspect you're being very modest about your capabilities! But for me it's more about the process than the end goal, anyway, and to encourage me to focus. I was always a bit of a binge practiser (same with food!) so I just love the idea of spending a couple of weeks doing it very seriously in a nice environment with nice people and a very honest teacher. There's no real reason that the top-class places shouldn't mix it up with a few oldies like us. It might even be good for the youngsters - especially to meet people like you, who've been through the musical mill. I really don't think what I'm looking for actually exists – except for Burton's Farm. Maybe you could go there?? Catch up about it next CCO, anyway!
I don't miss the practicing, but I will take the sun-kissed countryside over a musty conference hall any day. Music theorists should take a note from summer festivals and host their conventions in more exotic locales.
Really interesting article Ariane, as usual. I'm not sure where I fit into the various profiles of amateur/pro/adult learner etc but it will be interesting to see if you find places that offer the provision for 'serious' amateurs who mostly just want to play with others, but under some supervision. As a very late starter I have to practice certain things quite a lot in order to cope with the demands of the orchestral repertoire I'm playing and also enjoy having a go at the odd Bach Suite movement but realise that, as a septuagenarian, it is far too late to waste a lot of time trying to take it too seriously. Happy to chat to you if you like.
Thanks so much for reading, Roger! I strongly suspect you're being very modest about your capabilities! But for me it's more about the process than the end goal, anyway, and to encourage me to focus. I was always a bit of a binge practiser (same with food!) so I just love the idea of spending a couple of weeks doing it very seriously in a nice environment with nice people and a very honest teacher. There's no real reason that the top-class places shouldn't mix it up with a few oldies like us. It might even be good for the youngsters - especially to meet people like you, who've been through the musical mill. I really don't think what I'm looking for actually exists – except for Burton's Farm. Maybe you could go there?? Catch up about it next CCO, anyway!
I don't miss the practicing, but I will take the sun-kissed countryside over a musty conference hall any day. Music theorists should take a note from summer festivals and host their conventions in more exotic locales.
Perhaps it depends on your instrument? I’ve found a nice selection of adult piano retreats offered around the world.
I’m violin, Cori – have your piano ones been specific to piano?
Yes. I actually didn't know such a thing existed until a few years ago!