Prizewinners at the European chamber music competition Musique d'Ensemble held at the Paris Conservatoire in 2001, the Aurora Ensemble has performed in many major venues and festivals including the Purcell Room and Wigmore Hall (for the Park Lane Group), Manchester's Bridgewater Hall, Cardiff's St. David's Hall and the Warwick, Thaxted, Ryedale and Petworth Festivals. It has broadcast on ORS Television (Austria) and BBC Radio 3 for the Young Artists' Forum and was selected as one of the featured ensembles in Making Music's Concert Promoters' Network brochure for the 2005 - 2006 season.
In 2002 the ensemble recorded its debut CD, which included the first CD recording of Marin Goleminov's Wind Quintet No.2 and the world première recording of Ronan Guilfoyle's Groove Merchants. With funding from the Arts Council of Ireland, the Auroras commissioned a new work from Ronan, which they premiered at the Warwick Festival in June 2004.
Sounds Exciting (Patron Neil Black OBE) is the ensemble's own education project, which runs in conjunction with their recital work. Former projects include a children's concert with narration from ex Blue Peter presenter, Janet Ellis, and the commissioning of artwork from the illustrator Caroline Glicksman to use in their children's concerts.
The ensemble directs its own course at Hawkwood College, Gloucestershire every Easter, and has also had extensive experience at performing in hospitals, schools and centres for people with disabilities and residential homes for the elderly,through the late Yehudi Menuhin's Live Music Now! scheme.
The Aurora Ensemble areThe Aurora Ensemble currently run two chamber music courses at Hawkwood College, Gloucestershire, for wind quintets and octets
Spring and Summer Wind Chamber Music CoursesThe Aurora Ensemble return to Hawkwood College for their ninth successive year to run their popular Wind Chamber Music Course. The course is open to all players of the flute, clarinet, oboe, horn and bassoon - although early booking may be advisable for flutes, clarinets and oboes as these instruments tend to become oversubscribed soonest!
During the three days of the course, players will study a variety of repertoire, mostly using the traditional wind quintet formation, but with time also being spent on some smaller and larger combinations. The emphasis will be on developing the skills required when playing in an ensemble, good communication with each other and your audience (should you choose to perform) and rehearsal technique. There may also be opportunities for some individual lessons (time permitting), and horn players will be given the chance to have a go at playing the natural horn.
As in past years, the coaches will give a concert during the course so that the art of playing wind chamber music can be seen in action!
Minimum standard of playing should be about Grade 5
Tutors
Applications are welcomed from pre-formed groups as well as individuals wishing to be put into groups for the duration of the course
see pictures of previous hawkwood courses
Hawkwood College
a Registered Charity, is an independent centre for adult education. It offers short courses to people of all ages and from all walks of life. An informal atmosphere is aimed at and no formal qualifications are needed to participate.
Hawkwood, an early 19th century manor house built on an ancient site, is surrounded by its own extensive grounds. Situated at the head of a small Cotswold valley with a panoramic view down the Severn vale it provides a beautiful and peaceful setting for an Adult Education Centre.
For more information, contact
Aurora Ensemble's web profile was last updated 1st Jul 2017
Launched in 1999, Sounds Exciting is the Aurora Ensemble's own education project. Working in conjunction with the group's recital work, it has already seen the group working closely with school children in Sunderland and Hereford, at the Madeley and Church Stretton Festivals, and presenting children's concerts for various music clubs throughout the UK. The ensemble is also a member of the Live Music Now! scheme.
The Aurora Ensemble are proud to announce that oboist Neil Black OBE (international soloist, orchestral and chamber musician) has agreed to be patron for Sounds Exciting.
Let's Dance!
a concert for young children (part of the Sounds Exciting education project.
This short children's concert (lasting around 50 mins) takes a look at dance music from around the world over the last 250 years. Alongside this, the science behind why the instruments of the quintet are able to make a sound is explored.
As well as many musical examples, the ensemble uses a variety of visual aids, home made instruments and artefacts in explaining the historical, geographic and scientific issues covered in the workshop.
With their reputation for communication skills and ability to quickly build a rapport with their young audiences, the ensemble's education work has proved a success in many schools over the past year, with this being one of their most popular workshops.
Support material is available for Let's Dance!
Groove Merchants 2
a composition workshop for young children (part of the Sounds Exciting education project)
In September 2000 the Aurora Ensemble gave the UK premiere of Groove Merchants by Irish composer Ronan Guilfoyle.
After a performance of the work, the ensemble will take it apart to examine and explain the ideas it contains (such as syncopation, bass lines, unison writing, melodies and counter melodies) as well as having a brief look at the history of this style of music.
The children will be divided into groups, each with its own musical idea. Based upon the material in Groove Merchants, they will create a new line of music with assistance from a member of the ensemble. At the end of the workshop these five lines will be put together to result in Groove Merchants 2!
The workshop will give its participants direct experience with the understanding and analysis of some of the techniques employed in twentieth century jazz based music, alongside the practice of working in small groups to improve musical communication and creation from inception through to performance.
If you require musicians for a concert, recital or to enhance an event,
please call Morgensterns Teleteam.
If you require musicians for a concert, recital or to enhance an event,
please call Morgensterns Teleteam.
