COURSES AND WORKSHOPS

The courses listed here primarily offer practical musical training on a regular and systematic basis, and are designed for active participants, especially at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Some include lectures and masterclasses, and it is possible to audit others at a lower rate, as indicated.

Courses run yearly or termly. The sign-up deadline and course dates are indicated below. Group sizes are shown, and courses will only take place if the minimum attendee number is reached. A reserve list will be maintained once the maximum number is reached, and where a course is very oversubscribed, it may be possible to run it twice.

The prices indicated are per person for the course. A printed Certificate (CertCIRS) will be issued to those successfully completing one-year courses. Tea and coffee are included, and we can supply on request information about local accommodation and dining, to be arranged individually by participants travelling to Cambridge.

In comparison to our courses, CIRS workshops are run as day-long events. The sign-up deadline and workshop dates are indicated below. Group sizes are shown, and workshops will only take place if the minimum attendee number is reached. A reserve list will be maintained once the maximum number is reached, and where a course is very oversubscribed, it may be possible to run it twice.

Further courses are planned for 2025 on reading early notation; editing skills; improvisation; conducting and rehearsal techniques; liturgy for musicians; and organology. Please email info.cambridgeirs@gmail.com to ask for details.

WORKSHOPS 2024-2025

Six one-day Saturday workshops introduce some of the main areas of study from the Renaissance, with either a historical or a practical focus.

Introduction to 15th-century Music. 4-12 participants, Saturday 19 October 2024. Tutor: Edward Wickham. Contact: eaw37@cam.ac.uk

Listening Skills for Early Musicians. 4-12 participants, Saturday 23 November 2024. Tutors: Matthew Gouldstone and Francis Knights. Contact: mag210@cam.ac.uk

Early Musical Notation. 4-10 participants, Saturday 25 January 2025, application deadline 3 January 2025, fee £50. Tutor: Edward Wickham. Contact: eaw37@cam.ac.uk

Directing and Rehearsal Techniques. 4-10 participants, Saturday 22 February 2025, application deadline 1 February 2025, fee £55 (performer) or £45 (auditor). Tutor: Matthew Gouldstone. Contact: mag210@cam.ac.uk

The Music of the Virginalists, 3-6 participants, Saturday 3 May 2025, application deadline 10 April 2025, fee £55 (performer) or £45 (auditor). Tutor: Francis Knights. Contact: fk240@cam.ac.uk

Introduction to 16th-century Music. 4-12 participants, Saturday 14 June 2025, application deadline 1 June 2025, fee £50. Tutor: Matthew Gouldstone. Contact: mag210@cam.ac.uk

COURSES 2024-2025

These two courses cover hands-on skills and training, delivered in small intensive groups, and are designed to be taken in sequence. Group sizes are indicated, and the course will only take place if the minimum numbers are reached. A reserve list will be maintained once the maximum is reached, and where a course is very oversubscribed, it may be possible to run it twice.

Those wishing to sample some of these elements beforehand can sign up to one of the one-day Workshops above.

  • Four modules, including [1] Contextual repertoire studies, [2] Reading original notation, [3] Preparing for performance, and [4] Listening skills. A one-year course running from October 2024 to June 2025, principally evenings and weekends. 4-12 participants, application deadline 7 October 2024, course fee £300. Tutors: Matthew Gouldstone, Francis Knights and Edward Wickham.

  • Four specialist modules, including [1] Practical source studies, [2] Compositional procedures, [3] Performance practice, and [4] Individual Research project. A one-year course running from October 2024 to June 2025. 4-10 participants, application deadline 7 October 2024, course fee £400. A formal Certificate (CertCIRS) will be awarded on successful completion of the course. Tutors: Matthew Gouldstone, Francis Knights and Edward Wickham.

PERFORMANCE OUTSIDE OF THE COURSE

For students who are studying one of our year-long courses, there are opportunities to get involved in wider performance opportunities in Cambridge. The Cambridge Early Music Consort (CEMC) was founded in 2022 by Matthew Gouldstone and Edward Wickham. The principal ambition of the ensemble is to engage Cambridge’s finest singers in vocal repertoire pre-1530 which they might not otherwise have encountered. In that respect, CEMC complements and builds upon the training that Cambridge choral scholars already receive, introducing students to a wide variety of approaches; from specific historic performance practices to the fundamentals of research, rehearsal and presentation. For more information, please see the CEMC website

FINANCES AND TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Terms and Conditions for courses and workshops

1. The Cambridge Institute of Renaissance Studies is an independent non-profit organization, and is not affiliated to any institution.

2. All courses will take place in Cambridge, and in person.

3. Acceptance on a course is at the discretion of the Tutor.

4. Assessments may take place for the more advanced courses, to ensure that students are at the correct standard to benefit. 5. All students must be aged over 18.

6. CIRS reserves the right to postpone or cancel courses by giving appropriate notice, should the number of participants dropping out after a sign-up deadline make a course financially unviable.