Application Deadline: April 15th, 2025

Applicants will be notified of acceptance by latest April 30th, 2025
Late applications may be accepted depending on availability.

Food and Accommodation:
The course fee includes all meals (lunch, dinner, snacks, and drinks). Participants are responsible for arranging their own accommodation. If you need accommodation recommendations, please feel free to contact us.

Fees:
The course fee for students is 560 EUR, and for non-students, it is 640 EUR.

Oboe-Band Lessons:
Each participant will play alongside the members of La Petite Écurie in a large oboe band setting. Together, we will work on both familiar and lesser-known oboe band repertoire. The music for the course will be sent after the application period ends and participants have received their confirmation. In addition to large oboe band sessions, there will be plenty of time for chamber music with fellow participants.

Individual Lessons:
Every participant will receive two individual lessons during the course to work on technique and repertoire of their own choosing.

Reed Workshop:
A workshop led by Marc Bonastre Riu, Miriam Jorde Hompanera, and Giovanni Battista Graziado.

Visit by Reed Machines (Professional Tools):
Gain insight into professional reed-making tools and techniques. Have a look at their website.

Lectures:
Learn about the historical development of oboe bands and the associated repertoire. We will delve into historical performance practices concerning oboe bands and baroque music in general.

Baroque Dances and Their Metres:
Since dance music represents about 90% of oboe band repertoire, we will explore their rhythms, metres, phrasing (tactus), and tempos. Philipp, our percussionist, will guide you through the various types of dances, and you’ll have the opportunity to play along with him using historic percussion instruments to experience the “feel” of each style.

Percussion Program:
The percussion program includes individual lessons, technical group sessions (covering side drum technique, timpani, tambourine, castanets, and more), improvisation lessons (accompanying baroque music), chamber music sessions (daily, including both percussion-only and combined with double reed players), daily oboe band rehearsals, and the final concert.

Rehearsals for the Final Concert:
Daily oboe band rehearsals will be held, led by La Petite Écurie.

Final Concert:
On July 19th at 14:00, we will hold the Oboe-Band XL concert at Woudbloem (Scharmer AE3) in ‘t Roegwold (nearby Groningen). After the concert, we’ll enjoy an excursion, traveling in traditional Dutch style on a vintage bus from the National Bus Museum.

Other Surprises:
Expect some delightful surprises during the course, which we’re not revealing just yet!

The course will begin on July 14th at 10:00 and conclude on July 19th in the evening with a celebratory party following the final concert. A detailed schedule for July 14th to 19th, 2025, will be sent closer to the course date.

Course Location:
The course will be held at Buurtcentrum Stadspark, Lorentzstraat 11, 9727 HW Groningen, near the historic city center of Groningen. Groningen is easily accessible by train from various European locations and by plane (for example, to Schiphol Airport).

Find and book your train journey within the Netherlands at ns.nl. Check schedules, plan your trip, and purchase tickets easily.

Participants attend the course at their own risk. La Petite Écurie and its organizers are not responsible for any accidents, injuries, loss, or damage to personal belongings. We strongly recommend ensuring that you have adequate health, travel, and instrument insurance.