Summer Strings

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Welcome to Summer Strings

New Inst.and Repairs

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For a range of new instruments or to inquire about a repair follow the link to

Mourne Strings

Theory Courses

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Grade 5 Theory is a prerequisite for all practical exams post Grade 5. Many students find themselves unable to proceed to Grade 6 on their instrument as they are not up to date with their theory.

Over the past few years I have developed a fast-track Grade 5 course which has been incredibly successful and is suitable for any student, even those with no previous experience in theory.

The course involves a two day course followed by the marking of past papers and a couple of individual lessons before the exam. Places are limited so early booking is essential. A course takes place in each school holiday. Please contact me for future dates.

Venue

19 New Line Road
Seaforde
Downpatrick
BT30 8PN

Tel: 02844812022
Mob: 07912040204

Cost

£140 (with £40 deposit to secure place and balance due 2 weeks before course)

Cheques made payable to Nikki Johnston and sent to the above address along with name and phone number of the student.

Photo Gallery

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Contact Us

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For further information about the course, contact Nikki Johnston at:

Nikki Johnston,

19 New Line Road,

Seaforde,

Downpatrick.

BT30 8PN

Tel: 028 44812022

Mob: 07912040204

E-mail: summerstringsni@gmail.com

Application Form

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Name: ________________________________________

Date of Birth: ___________________________________

Address (including post code): _____________________

_______________________________________________

_______________________________________________

Email address: ___________________________________

Home telephone: ________________________________

Mobile: _________________________________________

Residential or non-residential:_______________________

Suggested dorm companions: _______________________
.

________________________________________________

Special dietary requirements/medical conditions: _______

________________________________________________

Contact numbers for Parents/Guardians: ______________

_______________________________________________

INSTRUMENT

Instrument:_______________________________________

Most recent Exam/Date/Result:_______________________

Present Teacher: ___________________________________

When completed this form should be returned by 15th May 2012 (sooner if possible, to guarantee place) together with £80 deposit (see 'course details') made payable to Nikki Johnston;

Nikki Johnston
19, New Line Road,

Seaforde,

Downpatrick.

BT30 8PN.

Tel: 02844812022
*The balance is due on or BEFORE 12th June 2012

The Tutors

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Summer Strings has been fortunate in attracting a group of enthusiastic young tutors, all of whom are talented players as well as being expert teachers. They share the view that making music is fun and they transfer this sense of enthusiasm and enjoyment to the students, who often continue long into the night with impromptu sessions. The tutors are aided by teaching assistants – generally music students, many of whom have come through the ranks of Summer Strings.

Nikki Johnston GRSM (hons), LRAM.

Senior Tutor and Course Director

Nikki started playing violin at the City of Belfast School of Music, initially under the guidance of Stanley Foreman and later with Chad Koelmeyer. Whilst there, her enduring passion for chamber music was sparked by Heinz Hammerschlag. She became joint leader of the City of Belfast Youth Orchestra and leader of the Methodist College Orchestra and went on to study at the Royal Academy of Music in London where she was fortunate to have Clarence Myerscough as her violin tutor. This was followed by postgraduate studies at RAM where she specialised in chamber music under the guidance of the legendary Amadeus Quartet and Howard Davies of the Alberni Quartet. After a period of freelance work and teaching in London, she returned to Belfast in 1990 when she worked with the Ulster Orchestra, le Concert Spirituel (Paris) and led the Harty Ensemble. She also toured Great Britain and Ireland with the Dennison String Quartet. TV and recording work also featured at this time including work with Cliff Richard, Brian Kennedy and Phil Coulter. In addition to teaching privately, she has taught in CBSM, where she conducted the String Orchestra for 8 years and St Malachy’s College where she coached a number of string ensembles and conducted the Senior Chamber Orchestra. She is currently teaching in Assumption Grammar School. Nikki founded Summer Strings in 1990.

Shane McNeill BMus (hons)

After leaving St. Malachy’s College Shane attended Queen’s University Belfast where he studied Music and English. Since graduating in 1998 he has been working as a freelance violin tutor, teaching in various schools in the Greater Belfast area. At present he teaches violin and viola in Dominican College and St. Dominic’s Grammar School where in both schools he conducts and directs various orchestras and ensembles. Shane is also a part time violin tutor employed by the City of Belfast School of Music where he conducts the Junior String Orchestra. He has directed the Spike People Cello Choir, the Q.U.B. Chamber Orchestra and the Open Arts Choir and has performed regularly as a freelance orchestral and chamber music player. He is a member of the Dennison String Quartet which performs extensively and has recorded with a number of bands and singers. Having attended a chamber music course regularly as a St. Malachy’s student Shane was delighted to join the Summer Strings staff in 1999 being aware of the unique experience that such a course provides. The benefits can be seen long after the concert draws to a close and the highly intense week of music-making is extremely rewarding for both students and staff.

Aisling Butler BMus (hons), LTCL, ATCL

After leaving school Aisling studied Music at Q.U.B and violin with Nikki Johnston with whom she completed her ATCL (1997) and LTCL (1998). After graduation she began teaching as a freelance tutor in various schools in the greater Belfast area including Victoria College, St. Dominic’s Grammar School and Dominican College, Fortwilliam. Despite a busy teaching schedule she managed to find time to continue performing as a member of the Harty String Quartet and as a freelance orchestral player. She has worked with different groups including the Belfast Baroque Consort, St. George’s Sinfonia, City of Derry Orchestra and various amateur dramatic companies. She has been a member of Castleward Opera Orchestra since 1995 and has done some television and recording work. Since December 2003 she has been employed as a full-time peripatetic Upper Strings Tutor with the SEELB Music Service. Aisling first became involved with Summer Strings in 1994 and it has remained one of the most rewarding and challenging areas of her work.

Coleen Coyle BMus (hons), LTCL, ATCL

Coleen studied Music at QUB graduating with a 2:1 BMus degree in 1996. Having studied violin with Nikki Johnston since1991 in Assumption Grammar and throughout university, she completed her LTCL in 1996. She has been teaching violin full time since then in several grammar and primary schools in the Belfast area, including Victoria College, Dominican College Fortwilliam, Assumption Grammar and more recently, St.Joseph's Primary School Carryduff. Coleen continues to play as a freelance musician with groups such as Castleward Opera,St. George's Sinfonia and plays regularly with amateur dramatic groups such as St. Agnes Choral Society, Bangor Choral Society and Ulster Operatic. She has also done some television and recording work, playing with Sir Cliff Richard, The Corrs and Paddy Casey. Coleen started working with Summer Strings in 1995 and still finds it one of the most rewarding (and exhausting!) areas of her career.

Kerry Bryson BMus(Hons) PGDipMus

After leaving school, Kerry continued her musical studies at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama where she studied with Mark Bailey and Robert Irvine. Following her studies, she returned to Northern Ireland and began freelance teaching in grammar and primary schools in Belfast and the surrounding area, including Dominican College Fortwilliam, Assumption Grammar School, St Malachy's College and St Dominic's Grammar School. In addition to teaching, she is also a busy performer, and plays with groups such as the Ireland and Arco string quartets and the McAuley Piano trio. Orchestral work has included Castleward Opera, St Georges Sinfonia and various amateur dramatic society productions, and she has also played with Phil Coulter, Russell Watson and Peter Corry. This is Kerry's first year as a member of the Summer Strings staff and she is looking forward to the challenge, but also seeing the results of a week of music making.

Course Details

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Dates for Summer Strings 2012:

Saturday 30th June - Tuesday 3rd July 2012

The summer course lasts for 4 days. The concert will take place in Lorne on the last day at 7.00pm. The pupils will then be free to go home with their parents at the end of the concert. (at approx. 8.00pm.)

Venue: LORNE ESTATE

In 2010 we relocated to Lorne Estate, a residential centre run by Girlguiding UK and located 8 miles from Belfast, just off the A2 to Bangor. A few years ago we included non-musical team building activities in the course and are now able to offer these again. Accommodation for residential students is provided in the Marion Greeves Centre which is situated in the beautiful Lorne Estate. The teaching, rehearsal and dining facilities are all situated in the same complex. All bed linen is provided.

Students:

Prospective students should be aged between 9 - 18 and should be playing at a minimum of Grade 3 standard.

Bring with you:

Spare strings

Music stand
Pencil and rubber
Pocket money
A black hole (cellists only!)
Suncream ?!

Fees:
Non-residential - £230
Residential - £290 Please note there are only 32 residential places this year.

£60 discount given to 3rd brother/sister applying together residentially

How to apply:

Please print, complete and return the application form together with £80 deposit to;

Nikki Johnston,
19, New Line Road,

Seaforde,
Downpatrick,

BT30 8PN
Tel: 02844812022

Mob: 07912040204

N.B. deposit due by 15th May 2012 at the latest - first come first served. Balance due by 12th June 2012. Please apply ASAP to facilitate our repertoire and activity choices.

About Us

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WELCOME TO SUMMER STRINGS!

Summer Strings started life as a course which took place during the school summer holidays in Nikki Johnston’s home. Its popularity soon necessitated a change of venue and it moved through a number of "homes" including Drumalla House, Delamont, Gortin residential complex and the Folk Museum. Last year we relocated to Lorne Estate and had a fantastic course in a great setting.
As at its inception in 1990, the purpose of the Summer Strings courses is to allow string players to enjoy the experience of playing together in string ensembles, exploring the world of string orchestra music. Orchestral & ensemble playing builds confidence in the young musician. It encourages good sight-reading skills and the discipline needed to perform music together successfully. Throughout the course we aim to increase confidence in playing with others, whilst hopefully heightening the enjoyment of shared music. Concentration, self-discipline and team-working are needed in everyday life and are just some of the benefits young players absorb in making music together, discovering new means of communication and making new friends.