2024
Giggleswick, near Settle, Yorkshire Dales
June 3rd – 7th Advanced Saxophone Ensembles SATB
June 7th – 10th.
June 10th -13th
Earls Hall, Cockfield, Suffolk
July19th – July 24th. International Students’ Course
July 24th – 27th. Bespoke 3 : 2 : 1 Flute/Clarinet/Saxophone
July 27th – July 30th. Upgrade your Playing Level -Woodwind Clinic. Flute/Clarinet/Saxophone
July 31st – August 4th . Advanced Saxophone Ensembles or Flute Bespoke 3 : 2 : 1.
August 4th – 8th. Flute Ensembles/Workshops or Saxophone/Clarinet Bespoke 1 : 1
Hereford Retreat 1 September 20th – 23rd 1 : 1 with Nick
Hereford Retreat 2 September 23rd – 26th 54321
Hereford Retreat 3 September 27th – 30th Saxophone Summit SATB
Hereford Retreat 4 September 30th – October 3rd. Saxophone Summit SATB
November 4th – 7th Saxophone Ensembles SATB
The Cotswolds, Gloucestershire
November 15th – 18th 1 :1
November 18th – 21st Woodwind Workshop Intermediate Level
December 13th – 16th Festive and Intensive Ensembles and individual help. Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone Intermediate Levels
December 13th – 17th Add on an extra day of even more intensive 1 : 1 Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone Intermediate Levels
2025
January 24th – 27th 1: 1 with Nick
January 31st – February 3rd 1 : 1 with Nick
February 2nd – 5th Woodwind Clinic/Workshop/Ensembles. Flute/Clarinet/Saxophone
February 28th – March 3rd 1 : 1 with Nick
March 3rd – 6th Advanced Mixed Ensemble Workshop
Giggleswick, near Settle, Yorkshire Dales UK
June 2nd – 6th Advanced Saxophone Ensembles SATB
2024 Courses
Woodlands, The Mains, Giggleswick, Settle, Yorkshire Dales, UK. BD24 0AX
June 3rd – 7th 2024. 4 nights
“Simply Saxophones”
Intermediate to Advanced Grades 6 – 8+
An ensemble workshop course that moves at a faster pace and where relatively fluent reading is required. Interpretation, style, ensemble techniques and a good level of performance are the aims. Retreat to the Yorkshire dales and stay in a former gentleman’s residence within walking distance of Giggleswick and Settle. An intensive practical music course with Nicholas Foster. Workshop group tuition for SATB, Ensemble coaching and individual advice offered.
Stay 4 nights with Day Visitors and non playing partners very welcome to stay and enjoy the local countryside, join the group for all meals and informal concerts.
Players of all saxophone voices are welcome and the course suits teachers looking to fulfill Personal Development criteria. The emphasis is on you the individual player and it’s your progress that matters. Suits those wishing to improve within a short time and those unable to take regular lessons.
Come and have a holiday combined with an intensive yet relaxed learning experience. The numbers will be small to give maximum attention. Don’t worry if this is your first experience on a course as we are completely sympathetic to your needs and feelings. Ensemble coaching, Individual help, attention to tone, technique, scales, breathing, performing, repertoire, duets, work with a resident pianist and all in a non competitive environment.
*please note that these are not jazz improvisation courses.
Full board: breakfast, lunch. evening meal – all home cooking.
Timings: starts at 18:00 on June 3rd and ends after breakfast on June 7th
Address: Woodlands, The Mains, Giggleswick, Settle, N. Yorkshire. BD24 0AX
The SatNav and postcode takes you half way up the The Mains – Woodlands is the last house at the end of the road.
Train: arrive at Settle station and the house is a 15 minute walk.
Giggleswick 4 nights saxophones
Room Type Standard £ saxophones
Single with shared bathroom. 595
Single occupancy ensuite 655
Earls Hall, Cockfield, Suffolk, UK. IP30 OJD
Our favourite summer retreat and the 13th year at this lovely venue in the Suffolk countryside. A beautiful old country house set in its own grounds with orchard and vegetable garden surrounded by miles of arable farmlands and ancient woods. Approximately 3 miles from historic Lavenham and 5 miles from Bury St. Edmunds. Many local walks and cycle routes. Perfect for that summer retreat. Partners welcome. There are no ensuites at this venue but bathrooms very near to the bedrooms. Accommodation ranges from private double or single, very large twin share or a downstairs room with single bed. Please link to see cost of each type.
All meals, tuition and ensuite accommodation included
July 19th – July 24th
UK International Student Summer Music Camp
Flutes, Clarinets, Saxophones and Friends on Oboe, Bassoon, Recorder…. – ages10- 18
July 24th – 27th
Suffolk Adults 2.
Bespoke 3 : 2 : 1
3 nights or stay 6 nights for courses 2 and 3.
Play music, eat good home cooking and meet like-minded others in the beautiful setting of Earls Hall with its wonderful gardens.
Suffolk 2
Bespoke 1:1 Full board/TuitionFlute/Clarinet/Saxophone
1 : 1
July 24th - 27th
3 nightsSuffolk 2 and Suffolk 3
6 nights
Single 699 5% discount for 6 nights
Course starts from 18.00 on 24th and ends at 11.00 on 27th
All meals, tuition and ensuite accommodation included
July 27th – 30th
Suffolk Adults 3 Woodwind Clinic
A “check up” course to make sure that you are heading in the right direction with Tone, Technique, Breathing, Articulation, Dynamics + Repertoire and for those needing a refresher ‘back to basics’ few days. Both Julie and Nick are quick to analyse and diagnose which makes for rapid trouble shooting, problem solving and smooth progress.
Workshop style sessions, 1 : 1 help, ensemble coaching with parts written to suit your individual level and demonstration classes focusing on the basic elements of each instrument, practice structure and techniques, performance styles and how to gain confidence/nerve removal…….we cover everything!
We can assist you to read notation more fluently and to develop a secure understanding of rhythms. Our aim is to help you to enjoy your playing and to achieve that much desired improvement based on secure foundations.
Course starts at 18.00 on 27th and ends at 11.00 on July 30th
All meals, tuition and ensuite accommodation included
Suffolk 3
Full Board and All Tuition
Flute/Clarinet/Saxophone
July 27th - August 30th
3 nightsSuffolk 2 and 3
Double Course
6 nights
Single 599 5% discount for 6 nights
July 31st – August 4th
Suffolk Adults 4
Advanced Saxophone Ensemble Course SATB
Final Concert in the Local Church
Suits those players who are fluent readers with good technique and are confident to perform with others
An intensive few days of rehearsing and performing saxophone ensembles.
A challenging and enjoyable experience on a wide variety of music and styles.
Course starts from 18.00 on July 31st and ends at 11.00 on the 4th
All meals, tuition and ensuite accommodation included
Suffolk 4/5
Full Board and all Tuition
Course 4
Saxophone Ensembles
July 31st - August 4th
4 nightsCourse 4
Flutes 3:2:1
July 31st - August 4th
4 nights
Course 5
Flute Ensembles
August 4th - 8th
4 nightsCourse 5 Clarinet/Saxophone 1 : 1
August 4th - 8th
4 nightsCourse 4 and 5
Single 719 719 719 5% discount for 8 nights
Twin share for 2 players 669 per person 649 per person 669 per person 5% discount for 8 nights
Cheap and Cheerful Sofabed
- available when all bedrooms are booked .619 619 619 5% discount for 8 nights
August 4th – 8th
Suffolk Adults 5
Saxophone/Clarinet 1 : 1 Bespoke
Suits any level of player as the course is tailored to your specific needs.
2 places only with Nick as tutor and duet partner
All meals, tuition and ensuite accommodation included
Suffolk 4/5
Bespoke 1 : 1
Flute Bespoke 321
July 31st - August 4th
4 nightsClarinet Bespoke 1 : 1
August 4th - 8th
4 nightsSaxophone Bespoke 1:1
August 4th - 8th
4 nights
Single 799 799 799
A Musical Holiday and Retreat 1 and 2 and 3 and 4
Partners and Friends Welcome
Hereford Retreat 1
September 20th – 23rd 1 : 1 with Nick
Hereford Retreat 2
September 23rd – 26th Upgrade your playing 5 : 4 : 3 : 2 : 1 workshop
Ensembles with Julie/Nick playing, leading or accompanying for Flute/Clarinet/ Saxophones Intermediate level
Hereford Retreat 3 and 4
September 27th – 30th and September 30th – October 3rd
Stay 3 or 6 nights
Saxophone Summit
Our guarantee is that you will improve every aspect of your playing
Intensive Quartet/Quintet Coaching SATB with Nick leading/playing/accompanying
Advanced Level
Sessions on Tone and Technique and Musicality.
Also the chance to play solos with piano if you wish.
Please ask about appropriate playing level and we will direct you to the correct dates
Luxury Accommodation with ensuite or non ensuite rooms and spacious rehearsal/living areas.
maximum 2 – 5 places depending on the course
Each course starts at 18.00 and ends at 11.30
All meals included from Dinner on the first evening to Breakfast on the final day
Please ask for shared car possibilities or public transport
The beautiful village of Eardisland is set on the banks of the River Arrow and is a picturesque location for a peaceful holiday. With local pubs, tea rooms and a community store selling local produce which is set within the dovecote, this quaint village has everything you will need. A variety of birdlife can be found around the river which makes this a charming place to stay. Close by, the picturesque village of Weobley, once voted one of the top ten places to live in England, has many timber-framed buildings, and excellent facilities including a village shop, local pubs and the renowned Jules restaurant. Hay-on-Wye, the town of books, is within easy reach as are medieval Ludlow, the cathedral city of Hereford with its medieval bridge spanning the River Wye, Mappa Mundi world map and Chained Library. The magnificent Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons National Park also make a great day out. Surrounded by beautiful rolling countryside including Offa’s Dyke and the Golden Valley, this is an excellent location for walking and cycling trails as well as sampling wonderful local produce at a local cheese factory, vineyard and cider farms.
Thank you for laying on such an enjoyable experience. The results of the course have been extraordinary….My playing has gone up a notch or two. JC Devon, March 2019
Eardisland, Hereford Course 1
September 20th - 23rd Course 2
September 23rd - 26th Course 3
September 27th - 30thCourse 4
September 30th - October 3rd Course 3 and 4
September 27th - October 3rd
number of nights
including accommodation and all meals + tuition3 3 3 3 6
Single Occupancy Double/Twin room ensuite 659 659 659 659 1200
Single occupancy sharing a Jack and Jill bathroom 599 599 599 599 1100
Twin share 539 per person 539 per person 539 per person 549 per person 990 per person
Non playing partner sharing a double ensuite room with a player 195 195 195 195 350
The Poachers Arms, Hope, Derbyshire
Simply Saxophones – Intermediate to Advanced Saxophones SATB Ensembles
November 4th – 7th 2024
3 nights Monday – Thursday
Travel by train – We can collect from Hope Station – main Sheffield to Manchester line
Saxophone Ensemble Coaching
for Intermediate to Advanced Levels – SATB
(we suggest ABRSM grade 6 – 8+ or equivalent)
Hope, Derbyshire
Course 1
November 4th - 7th
Monday - Thursday
3 nights.
ROOM TYPE : Standard rate
Single ensuite 639
Twin share ensuite (If share available) 579 each person
Double ensuite share with non playing partner 819 per room
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Greyhound Barns, Barnsley Village, The Cotswolds Gloucestershire UK
Electric car charge available at additional cost to be arranged in advance with owners
Cotswolds 1 November 15th – 18th
Bespoke 1 : 1 with Nick
Content tailored to your exact playing needs
All ensuite rooms and large rehearsal space
All meals, tuition and ensuite accommodation included
Course begins at 18.00 and ends at 11.30
Barnsley Village
The Cotswolds
Gloucestershire
Cotswolds 1
FlutesCotswolds 1 : 1
Bespoke
Clarinet/SaxCotswolds 2
Flute/Clarinet/Sax
No. of nights 3 3 3
Single occupancy ensuite 639 639 639
Non residential Full Course.
Includes meals.465 465 465
Day visitor
(min 2 days)
Includes meals
N/A N/A £185 per day
minimum 2 days
Cotswolds 2 November 18th – 21st
Woodwind Clinic
Flute, Clarinet and Saxophone – Please ask for level and suitability
A comprehensive workshop style course covering all aspects of your playing
Solos, Duets, Ensembles. Play with an accompanist
We guarantee improvement in just a few days
All ensuite rooms and large rehearsal space
All meals, tuition and ensuite accommodation included
Course begins at 18.00 and ends at 11.30
Barnsley Village
The Cotswolds
Gloucestershire
Cotswolds 1
FlutesCotswolds 1 : 1
Bespoke
Clarinet/SaxCotswolds 2
Flute/Clarinet/Sax
No. of nights 3 3 3
Single occupancy ensuite 639 639 639
Non residential Full Course.
Includes meals.465 465 465
Day visitor
(min 2 days)
Includes meals
N/A N/A £185 per day
minimum 2 days
December 13th – 16th
Festive Intensive – Ensembles and individual playing/help
December 13th – 17th
Festive Intensive with an additional day and night of 1 : 1
Luxury Accommodation with ensuite or non ensuite rooms and spacious rehearsal/living areas.
maximum 5/6 places for flute, clarinet, saxophone
Join together for some festive favourites and other seasonal classics that Nick has arranged.
In addition, we will have some more unusual content such as Manfredini’s Baroque Christmas Concerto and an arrangement of an aria from Bach’s Christmas oratorio.
From traditional arrangements to Bach to Boardway and beyond.
There will also be the opportunity for individual help and solo opportunities with accompaniment.
Stay for an extra 24 hours for some intensive 1 : 1
our festive course in December 2020
The course begins at 18.00 on December 13th and ends on 16th if staying for 3 nights or 17th if you choose for an additional, extra intensive day and night!
All meals included from Dinner on the first evening to Breakfast on the last morning
Please ask for shared car possibilities or public transport
The beautiful village of Eardisland is set on the banks of the River Arrow and is a picturesque location for a peaceful holiday. With local pubs, tea rooms and a community store selling local produce which is set within the dovecote, this quaint village has everything you will need. A variety of birdlife can be found around the river which makes this a charming place to stay. Close by, the picturesque village of Weobley, once voted one of the top ten places to live in England, has many timber-framed buildings, and excellent facilities including a village shop, local pubs and the renowned Jules restaurant. Hay-on-Wye, the town of books, is within easy reach as are medieval Ludlow, the cathedral city of Hereford with its medieval bridge spanning the River Wye, Mappa Mundi world map and Chained Library. The magnificent Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons National Park also make a great day out. Surrounded by beautiful rolling countryside including Offa’s Dyke and the Golden Valley, this is an excellent location for walking and cycling trails as well as sampling wonderful local produce at a local cheese factory, vineyard and cider farms.
Eardisland, Hereford Course 1
December 13th - 16thCourse 1 +
December 13th - 17th
number of nights
including accommodation and all meals + tuition3 nights 4 nights
Single Occupancy Double/Twin room ensuite 629 699
Single occupancy sharing a Jack and Jill bathroom 599 669
Twin share ensuite 539 539
Non playing partner sharing a double ensuite room with a player. All meals included 195 225
Courses in 2025
Upper Seagry, near Malmsbury, Wilshire
January 24th – February 6th 2025
4 consecutive courses
4 courses in total
Each Course starts at 18.00 and ends at 11.30
with
Julie Wright ARCM. LGSM. B. Ed Hons
and Nicholas Foster GRNCM
Stay in this beautifully presented house on an organic farm in Upper Seagry, near Malmsbury, Wiltshire.
We also have access to a two bedroomed cottage on the estate
All double/twin bedrooms with private/ensuite bathrooms
Wiltshire 1
January 24th – 27th 3 nights
Start time from 18.00 on 24th January. End time 11.30 on 27th January
1 : 1 with Nick 2 places maximum
1,2,3,4.
No. of nights 3 fully inclusive
Single ensuite/private bathroom 679
Daily rate full course £465
Daily rate £185 each day minimum 2 days
Wiltshire 3
January 31st – February 3rd 3 nights
1 : 1 with Nick 2 places only
Stay for 6 nights with a 5% reduction
1,2,3,4.
No. of nights 3 fully inclusive
Single ensuite/private bathroom 679
Daily rate full course £465
Daily rate £185 each day minimum 2 days
Wiltshire 4
February 3rd – 6th 3 nights
Woodwind Workshop for Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone- Intermediate levels
A workshop based course including tone, technique, breathing, articulation and intonation.
Small group learning sessions throughout the morning with a break after lunch for a walk, chat or some practice. Play again from 4.30 – 7pm
This is a comprehensive, small group based, developmental course aimed at Intermediate levels of player. The numbers are kept small with two tutors to guarantee maximum attention; especially useful for those unable to have regular tuition. Don’t worry if this is your first course; we are completely sympathetic to your needs and adjust our teaching accordingly
A “check up” course to make sure that you are heading in the right direction with Tone, Technique, Breathing, Articulation, Dynamics + Repertoire and for those needing a refresher ‘back to basics’ few days.
Both Julie and Nick are quick to analyse and diagnose which makes for rapid trouble shooting, problem solving and smooth progress.
Workshop style sessions, 1 : 1 help, ensemble coaching with parts written to suit your individual level and demonstration classes focusing on the basic elements of each instrument, practice structure and techniques, performance styles and how to gain confidence/nerve removal…….we can help with everything!
The numbers will be kept at 7/8 (with 2 tutors) depending on instrument combinations.
There will be daily opportunities to play solos with piano accompaniment. Make these as easy and manageable or as challenging as you wish.
We can assist you to read notation more fluently and to develop a secure understanding of rhythms. Our aim is to help you to enjoy your playing and to achieve that much desired improvement based on secure foundations.
Start time 18.00 on February 3rd. End Time 11.30 on February 6th
1,2,3,4.
No. of nights 3 fully inclusive
Single ensuite/private bathroom 679
Daily rate full course £465
Daily rate £185 each day minimum 2 days
February 28th – March 3rd
March 3rd – 6th
Start time 18.00 End Time 11.30 after a final session
Stay in this characterful house within walking distance of the town centre.
Single, Double or twin accommodation with Full Board
All rooms ensuite or with private bathroom next door.
Course 1
February 28th – March 3rd
Saxophone/Clarinet 1 : 1 with Nick
Course 2
March 3rd – 6th
Advanced Mixed Ensemble Workshop
Quintets, Quartets, Trios, Duets and Solos
and a complete makeover of your playing !
6 places only with 2 tutors playing/leading
Stay in this characterful house within walking distance of the town centre.
Single, Double or Twin accommodation with Full Board
All rooms ensuite or with private bathroom next door.
Start Time 18.00. End Time 11.30 after a final session
Church Stretton
March 2025 3 nights fully inclusive of tuition, all meals and accommodation
ROOM TYPE Full Board
Double room ensuite 659
Double room with private bathroom on same corridor 629
Twin ensuite 579
March 21st – 27th 2025
A Musical Retreat for Saxophone Players, Partners and Friends
6 nights full board
Stoumont, near to Aywaille and Liege, Belgium – The Ardennes region
Stay in this exceptional, 5 star lodge with all modern fixtures and fittings.
11 ensuite bedrooms and spacious living areas, recreational spaces, meeting room, indoor pool and sauna.
Large balcony and garden for outside relaxation
Set in the natural surroundings of the Ardennes region with local walks and towns to visit.
Arrive after 18.00 on 21st and depart after breakfast on 27th
Full board including breakfast, light lunch of homemade soup, bread and fruit and full evening meal.
Feel free to follow the schedule or take time off and visit somewhere further afield or just read and relax
Schedule
Breakfast 9.00
Session 10.00 – 12.30
Lunch 12.45
Afternoon free
Session 17.00
Dinner 19.45
Travel from UK
Tunnel or Ferry and Drive from Calais to Stoumont in 3.5 hours via E42
Eurostar to Brussels, train to Aywaille and bus from there to Stoumont.
fly to Brussels and then a 95 minute drive
Stoumont is a municipality of Wallonia located in the province of Liège, Belgium and is an area of natural beauty.
Recommended in the town are a gourmet food store, home made ice cream shop and a boulangerie/coffee shop.
-
-
Coo Waterfall – 8 min drive
-
Le Ninglinspo – a walking trail – 8 min drive
-
Thermes de Spa – 16 min drive
-
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps – 18 min drive
- Aywaille – 20 minutes drive
-
Stoumont, Belgium
course begins at 18.00 and end after breakfast on the final day.Stoumont
March 21st - 27th
6 nights
Full board
Shared family room (huge) ensuite Twin share 1087 per person
Private room ensuite 1287
Non playing partners £410 for 6 nights
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Woodlands*, The Mains, Giggleswick, Settle, Yorkshire Dales, UK. BD24 0AX
June 2nd – 6th 2025. 4 nights
“Simply Saxophones”
Intermediate+ to Advanced Grades 7 – 8+
*The venue has been upgraded for 2025 and now includes 2 new ensuite bedrooms, ground floor toilet and a large rehearsal space in the rear garden wing of the house.
An intensive, practical music course with Nicholas Foster.
Workshop group tuition for SATB, Ensemble coaching and individual advice offered.
An ensemble workshop course that moves at a faster pace and where relatively fluent reading is required. Interpretation, style, ensemble techniques and a good level of performance are the aims.
Retreat to the Yorkshire dales and stay in a former gentleman’s Edwardian residence within walking distance of Giggleswick and Settle.
Stay 4 nights with Day Visitors and non playing partners very welcome to join us and enjoy the local countryside, eat with the group for all meals and listen to the informal concerts.
Players of all saxophone voices are welcome and the course suits teachers looking to fulfill Personal Development criteria. The emphasis is on you the individual player and it’s your progress that matters. Suits those wishing to improve within a short time and those unable to take regular lessons.
Come and have a holiday combined with an intensive yet relaxed learning experience. Don’t worry if this is your first experience on a course as we are completely sympathetic to your needs and feelings. Ensemble coaching, Individual help, attention to tone, technique, scales, breathing, performing, repertoire, duets, work with a resident pianist and all in a non competitive environment.
*please note that this is not a jazz improvisation course.”
Full board: breakfast, lunch. evening meal – all home cooking.
Timings: starts at 18:00 on June 2nd and ends after breakfast on June 6th
Address: Woodlands, The Mains, Giggleswick, Settle, N. Yorkshire. BD24 0AX
The SatNav and postcode takes you half way up the The Mains – Woodlands is the last house at the end of the road.
Train: arrive at Settle station and the house is a 15 minute walk.
Giggleswick | 4 nights saxophones |
---|---|
Room Type | Standard £ saxophones |
Single with shared bathroom. | 625 |
Single occupancy ensuite | 685 |
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