The Flautadors offer masterclasses, workshops, lecture-recitals
and ensemble coaching at all levels. The quartet has a wealth of
experience in educational projects and their engagements have
included the Wigmore Hall Education Series, The Centre for Young
Musicians, an advanced recorder course for Hertfordshire Music
Service and a series of workshops for schools in Scotland. The
nature of these projects depends on the age of the
participants and the number involved. Workshops are tailored to
the needs of the particular group concerned and informal
evaluation during the session is used to determine the
effectiveness of the workshop. There are a number of options
available including:
Pipes a-plenty (Family Concert)
A varied programme designed specifically for children and
families. Introductions to the pieces are provided together with
questions and short musical examples to guide the listener. The
aim is to present a number of different styles (for example
renaissance, baroque, folk, jazz and modern music) and illustrate
the differences between them.
Masterclasses
and Coaching
Public masterclasses for both recorder consorts and individuals
on pre-prepared repertoire chosen by the participants. Coaching
sessions for individual recorder players and recorder consorts
on either new material or preprepared works.
Large recorder ensemble workshops
Designed for a large mixed ability group of recorder players.
The group would be divided into four levels of ability and would
be coached by a member of the quartet. The aim being to work
towards a piece to be performed altogether.
Courses
The Flautadors have taught a number of courses spread over a few
days usually based on a theme or specific repertoire.
Each educational
project would incorporate a verbal introduction to the family of
recorders and a performance (from either The Flautadors or the
participants or a combination of the two) with the addition of a
coaching / teaching session where appropriate. In addition the
quartet illustrates the relevance of the recorder to the
orchestral woodwind family.
Educational aims
and objectives include:
- Encouraging
participation and enjoyment at all levels.
- Demonstrating and exploring the wide range of musical
possibilities on recorders.
- Developing creativity and expression within carefully selected
repertoire.
- Placing the music in its historical context and show how this
relates to themes in the National Curriculum.
- Discussing the social context of the music – why it was
written and what for.
- Developing listening and ensemble skills.
- Introducing the music and the composers of the works.
