In the wind sessions of the Berwang Holiday Music Course, we cover a very wide variety of repertoire, ranging from duets and trios through to the large-scale wind works, such as those of Dvořák (eg the Serenade, Bagatelles and Slavonic Dances) and Mozart (the Gran Partita for Thirteen Wind).  There is something very special about playing Mozart in Austria.  And imagine playing Richard Strauss' Serenade and Suite just a few miles from where he lived in Garmisch-Partenkirchen!

Quartets, quintets, octets and decets are all a major part of our tutored session repertoire.  We also explore a wide range of styles from the lighter pieces: marches; polkas; waltzes etc through to the more demanding, serious works of Hindemith, Nielsen etc.  

On a typical scheduled music day, comprising two morning sessions and one afternoon session, there is usually a mixture of large group and small group playing for everyone, with some of the time spent preparing for the formal or informal concerts and some time devoted to reading new repertoire.  During sessions, we also discuss all aspects of wind-playing – not only in relation to chamber music, but also the various important elements of balance, intonation, articulation and sound projection etc in the orchestral and solo repertoire.

Although the wind group and the strings section have separate sessions for most of the time, there are many opportunities to explore the wonderful repertoire for mixed string and wind instruments.  The photograph above shows the two sections joining forces in 2002.  Single wind instruments may join forces with the strings (eg, flute and oboe quartets; clarinet quintets; etc) or groups of wind and strings may play the real masterpieces, such as the Schubert Octet; Beethoven Septet; Spohr Nonet; etc. On many occasions, we also read through or work on a symphony, a concerto or some lighter, Viennese pieces.  Also, for some wind players, there are opportunities to join singers (eg, Spohr songs, Shepherd on the Rock etc).

        The Wind Tutor, Kerry Camden, being crowned with a French

horn, demonstrates vividly the fun and enjoyment of being a wind player!