Audio waveform next to sheet music, with markers to show where the sheet music aligns with the waveform.

Play Along with Past Camps

The RSSC Galleries and the LYCO Bandcamp Page contain half a day of music. Have you ever wanted to play along with one of them? For just a few pieces, we have synchronised the notation with the concert recording, so you can do just that.

Or if you have ever just wanted to listen to a string orchestra while following all the parts in the conductor’s score, this is also the right place for that…

Jig Set: Blackthorn Stick / Rakes of Kildare (RSSC 2012)

Corelli – Concerto Grosso Op. 6 No. 7 (RSSC 2012)

5. Vivace

Handel – Concerto Grosso Op. 6 No. 8 (RSSC 2013)

Of these three movements, we recommend starting with the 6th (the easiest) and ending with the 4th (the hardest). Ironically, out of these only the 5th movement has concertino parts, normally a distinguishing feature of a concerto grosso.

4. Grave

5. Andante (Siciliana)

6. Allegro

How to See Most of the Music

You may find that the page of sheet music leaps around faster than you can read it. This is easy to fix:

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Violinists playing while lying flat on the ground in the Camp Clayton Dining Room, with tutor Joanna Drimatis. Caption in Impact Typeface says "RSSC 2016 Freycinet First Violins Hard at Work".

Practice Like an RSSC Tutor

For those of us unfortunately at home this week, here is some of the best advice we have received from RSSC Tutors over the first 31 camps. If you remember others, please let us know in the comments.

Joanna

Play while lying flat on your back, to get used to how your spine feels when it is properly straight.

[Recommended for violin and viola, may present a challenge for ‘cello and double bass.]

Willem

Sometimes you need to play vibrato, but you are playing on an open string.

Cello part with a semibreve to play on the open C string and the technique instruction "molto vibrato".

Place your finger where on the next string up where you would play the note an octave higher than the one written. [In this case, a C on the G string.]

Or place your finger on top of your head and play vibrato there, that works too. [Works for ‘cello, challenging for other instruments.]

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2022 Camp

It is with great sadness that we have made the decision to cancel the Residential Summer String Camp this year. Omicron is spreading wider and faster than we could ever have imagined and we are no longer able to provide a safe and viable Camp.

JO ST LEON: CALLING VIOLINISTS YOUNG AND OLD

Playing the violin is a wonderful thing to do, but imagine how awesome it would be to be able to also play its neglected but sonorous sister, the viola. I have given two violas to RSSC, and plan to run an elective each camp for violinists to experience the joy, learn the clef and explore the differences.

Being able to play both instruments will ensure you are constantly in demand for orchestras and chamber groups. Your musical life will be enriched beyond belief by experiencing music from the middle of the sound and discovering the genius of composers who created magic with their writing for inner voices.

Have I persuaded you?

You can come along for the week to try it out for yourself as an elective, or if you really want to give it a red-hot go you can join one of the orchestras as a violist—I’ll make sure to start you off on the first day with enough knowledge to get you through your first rehearsal.

There will be a space on the application form for you to sign up.