United Kingdom

Messiah (Handel), Pomp and Circumstance Marches (Elgar), Fantasia on "Greensleeves" (Vaughan Williams), and The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (Britten) are among the most celebrated works in British musical history. Their composers have played a significant role in shaping the development of Western classical music. In the summer of 2008, we were delighted to collaborate with Colin Touchin and the Warwickshire County Youth Orchestra (WYO) and Warwickshire County Youth Chorale (WYC) on a ten-day music exchange programme in the United Kingdom.

DISTINGUISHED MUSIC CAMP DIRECTOR

A native of the United Kingdom, Colin Touchin is a distinguished conductor and composer who served as Director of Music at the University of Warwick from 1989 to 2003. He has conducted orchestras throughout the UK and internationally, including ensembles from Luxembourg and Hong Kong. He has also served as a resident conductor at the Dartington International Summer School and as an adjudicator at numerous music festivals. Under his leadership, WYO has maintained an active performance schedule and has appeared at the Festival of British Youth Orchestras in Edinburgh, as well as on tours to Germany and Spain.

INTENSIVE MUSICAL TRAINING AND ARTISTIC DEVELOPMENT

Students will participate in six to eight hours of music training each day at the historic Rugby School, the birthplace of the game of rugby. Through masterclasses, chamber ensemble coaching, and full orchestra rehearsals, participants will develop their technical skills, musical understanding, and ensemble performance abilities.

Students will be encouraged to prepare examination repertoire and works by British composers, while music appreciation sessions will provide deeper insights into the historical context, style, and interpretation of the music studied. Choral participants will explore a diverse repertoire including madrigals, British folk songs, works by Handel, Purcell, Britten, and John Rutter, as well as selections from musical theatre and popular music. In addition, students will receive vocal training from experienced singing teachers and may have the opportunity to perform featured solo parts.

DISCOVERING BRITISH MUSIC

Throughout the programme, students will rehearse and perform works by leading British composers including Purcell, Handel, Elgar, and Britten, while also studying their music in greater depth through guided listening and discussion sessions.

At the conclusion of the programme, participants will have the opportunity to perform alongside members of the Warwickshire County Youth Orchestra in a joint graduation concert. Through professional instruction, collaborative music-making, and cultural exchange with British youth musicians, students will gain valuable artistic inspiration, strengthen their performance skills, and develop a deeper appreciation of British musical traditions.

A UNIQUE BRITISH EXPERIENCE

Participants will stay at Rugby School and experience life in a traditional British boarding school environment. Living and learning on campus will provide valuable opportunities to build friendships and gain insight into British educational culture.

Beyond music, the programme includes distinctive cultural experiences such as Scottish bagpipe workshops and rugby activities. Students will also visit some of England's most iconic landmarks, including Bath, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Stonehenge, the historic university city of Oxford, the London Eye, and the world-famous Proms concerts held annually at the Royal Albert Hall.