Dartmoor Strings
A Youth String Ensemble – Ages 10-18, Grades 4-8+, two afternoons a term in Ashburton
A dynamic string group
Run by professional string players and tutors, Lindsay Braga and Andrew Gillett, and supported by Devon Music Education Hub, we want to give young players (aged 10-18, of grade 5+) the chance to develop the skills of more advanced ensemble playing. The group aims to explore sight-reading, confidence, listening, performance skills and technique and we hope players will have fun making music and friends in an encouraging atmosphere.
Dates 2024-25
We hold a whole afternoon workshop once each half term and send you the music and helpful practice videos in advance so that you will feel more confident and we can make the most of our sessions.
We are aware that many young people are busy with lots of commitments and we would like to offer another option that provides a high level of musical education that isn’t a weekly commitment.
Sat 18th October 1.30-4Sat 15th November 1.30-4Sat 31st January 1.30-4Sunday 22nd March (rehearsal 10.30am, concert 2pm)
CHAMBER DAYS
During the year we would also like to give our players chances to play chamber music in smaller groups: quintets, quartets and trios with other young players and our professional tutors. These dates are in addition to our string orchestra days.
Each chamber group has 3 rehearsals during the year.
These groups will be playing in the CONCERT on Sunday 9th March at 2pm, Ashburton Arts Centre (Rehearsal from 10.30)
Location
We use the Ashburton Arts Centre, 15 West Street, Ashburton, Devon, TQ13 7DT
Car Parking is available for both in the centre of Ashburton, just around the corner.
Cost
Just £15 for each session with expert string tuition.
Come along and try a session.
Music
For the Autumn and Spring terms of 25-26 we will be working towards our concert on Sunday 22nd March. We will be playing Vivaldi’s “WInter” (showcasing soloists from the ensemble), Copland’s “Hoe Down” and other pieces.
Safeguarding
We take the safety and wellbeing of our students who attend our workshops very seriously. Please see our Safeguarding Policy here
Supported by Devon Music Education Hub
Lindsay Braga
Chamber Player and Violin Teacher
Lindsay Braga studied at the Royal Northern College of Music with Richard Deakin, and carried on her studies afterwards with Wen Zhou Li. Over the next twelve years, she worked as a first violinist with many orchestras including the BBC Philharmonic, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, the Welsh National Opera, the English National Ballet, the Goldberg Ensemble and Manchester Camerata. Since her move to Devon, Lindsay has become a sought after chamber music player, performing concerts all over the South West.
Lindsay has always had a passion for teaching and has built up a healthy private studio in Totnes in Devon, teaching students from three year old beginners to diploma standard. She also runs ceilidhs with wider groups of young string players and is a tutor for Bryanston International Summer School.
Andrew Gillett
Chamber Musician and Violin/Viola Teacher
Andrew Gillett has been teaching violin and viola for over 30 years, in schools and privately. He has also specialised in coaching chamber music groups and string quartets.
He studied at the Royal College of Music and in Germany before embarking on a career performing in orchestras, chamber orchestras, contemporary music groups, chamber ensembles, and conducting.
He is the viola player in the Haldon Quartet and Divertimento String Quartet and plays baroque viola in Devon Baroque. Encouraging young people to enjoy music making together is a central purpose of his professional life.
