Wind-ter Warmer
Wind-ter Warmer is a light-hearted weekend course for wind players whose enthusiasm perhaps outweighs their expertise! Come and make music in a friendly mixed ensemble: a sort of mini wind orchestra. Warm up your instrument, warm your heart and raise your spirits during what can sometimes be a rather grey and depressing time of year.
Dates: 7:15pm on Friday 26 February to c. 4pm on Sunday 28 February 2027 (non-residential)
Venue: Stirling Court Hotel, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA
Course Fee: £ 240
About the venue
The Stirling Court Hotel lies within the attractive 330 acre campus of the University of Stirling. There are 150 parking spaces at the hotel (enter your registration number at the hotel reception to park free of charge). Buses that serve the University stop fairly close to the building.
If you would like further information about the venue, including details of accessibility, electric vehicle charging and more, please visit the hotel website at Stirling Court Hotel | Hotel near Stirling Castle with Free Parking
About the course
Wind-ter Warmer is open to players aged 18 – 80+ years on orchestral woodwind, saxophones or brass band/wind band instruments. The weekend is aimed primarily at players from ABRSM Grade 3 – 6 level. Music is specially arranged to suit the ability and confidence levels of those taking part, so please don’t forget to provide details when you apply!
Tutor Trona Melville-Mason works extensively with adult learners and returners and is known for her patience, humour and encouragement. She is also a prolific arranger of music for small elementary and mixed instrument ensembles.
What’s Included?
- An evening session on the Friday, daytime & evening sessions on the Saturday and daytime sessions on the Sunday.
- A 2 course lunch on both Saturday and Sunday, plus a 3 course dinner on the Saturday evening.
- Mid-morning and mid-afternoon tea or coffee on both Saturday and Sunday.
- Tuition and provision of practice parts for the principal pieces. These will be emailed out to participants in PDF form a couple of weeks before the event.
Please note that the course is non-residential. However, accommodation at the venue can be booked separately at a discount rate, if desired. (Details will be provided to applicants offered a place on the course)
Repertoire
Set works will be arrangements of light classical and traditional pieces, created to work effectively with the particular combination of players/instruments taking part.
These are likely to include
- One fairly substantial ‘challenge’ piece, to stretch the group
- Two or three shorter, less demanding items, to allow us to work on polishing the overall performance.
The Saturday evening session will be a sight-reading ‘jolly’, covering a varied selection of comparatively low-stress repertoire.
Course Applications
Applications are now open.
To apply, complete and submit the form below:
Please note that submitting the form does not guarantee you a place. You should hear within a few days whether your application has been successful.
If you are offered a place, you will be sent payment details for the course, Terms & Conditions and information about how to take advantage of the discounted rate to book accommodation at the Stirling Court Hotel.
Applications will be treated largely on a first come, first served basis. However, numbers of certain instruments may have to be capped, to ensure an enjoyable and effective balance of instruments in the group. The overall number of participants will be limited, so that players receive individual attention (if required) and to keep the friendly, chamber character of the event.
Want to know more?
If you would like more information about the course before deciding whether or not to make an application, please do get in touch using the e-mail address at the foot of the page.