Course leader
Mona Spägele, choir director, singer, voice coach Infoblatt zu Mona Spägele
Paul Locher, violin long-time concertmaster Orchestre de Chambre du Valais https://www.kogeo.ch/uber-uns-classic
Matthias Walpen, violoncello solo cellist Sinfonieorchester Biel, chamber musician https://www.tobs.ch/de/tobs/team/portrait/r/19/p/21/pers/54/
Course content
Happy birthday, Anton Bruckner!
4 September 2024 marks the 200th anniversary of the great Austrian composer's birth. He was born in Ansfelden in Upper Austria in 1824 and was musically socialised and educated at the monastery in the neighbouring town of St. Florian. In Linz, he developed into an acclaimed organ improviser and a composer with an unmistakable musical language.
At the age of 24, Anton Bruckner composed his first major vocal piece, the Requiem in D minor, while still fully immersed in Viennese Classicism. He held it in high esteem throughout his life, even if the work did not manage to hold its own in the concert repertoire against the requiem settings by Mozart or Verdi, for example. Today, it is regarded as a very personal and impressive testimony to Bruckner's artistic development as an important church musician and symphonic composer and already gives an idea of the mystical aura of the later orchestral scores.
The Requiem, which lasts around half an hour, is scored for choir, solo quartet, strings and low brass. In addition, romantic a cappella works are planned, depending on the composition of the choir.
In addition to the joint works, the orchestra will also work on its own orchestral works. Samuel Barber's Adagio and other works complete the programme.
We attach particular importance to a relaxed and creative rehearsal atmosphere when working on the pieces, to cheerful, free music-making and being together. In daily warm-ups, some of which take place together with the orchestra, we also focus on the interplay of breath, body and voice, the development of sound in the joint singing of catchy songs and canons.
Otherwise, joint instrumental activities between choir and orchestra members are also welcome: Perhaps new chamber music ensembles will even form during the rehearsal-free period?
Rehearsal times: Daily 9:30 - 12:30 and 16:30 - 18:30; sometimes evening programme
Leisure time: Every afternoon 12:30 - 16:30, plus a whole afternoon at leisure (Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on the weather)
The week ends with a joint festive final concert in Münster parish church on Thursday, 25 July 2024, 18:00.
Target audience
The Choir and Orchestra Week is aimed at singers with choral experience and/or trained voices, as well as instrumentalists with orchestral experience. This year's instrumentation only requires strings, bassoon, horn and trombones.
Independent preparation of the planned works is helpful and encouraged. Sheet music and practice materials will be provided in good time. The course director will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Participants
The Gommer Choir and Orchestra Week takes place with a minimum choir of 30 people, whereby a balanced distribution of voices is aimed for.
Registrations per register will be considered in the order in which they are received (waiting list may apply), the same applies to the orchestra. The closing date for registrations is the end of April.
We now have a waiting list for the soprano register.
We are still happy to accept registrations for violin in the string section. We also have a waiting list for the other registers.
Information
Accommodation
Offer 1
Hotel Landhaus, Münster
https://www.landhaus-goms.ch/en/
Offer 2
Hotel Croix d`Or et Poste / Swiss Historic Hotel, Münster
http://www.hotel-postmuenster.ch
Costs
Offer 1
Special arrangement at the Hotel Landhaus
The price includes:
- Welcome aperitif
- 6 nights
- Breakfast and dinner (3-course menu)
- Course costs
Categories
- per person in a double room Fr. 1'280.--
- Single room Economy booked out
- Single room Alpine booked out
- per person in Alpine Triple (3 persons) Fr. 1'160.-
- Double room for single use Fr. 1'580.--
Offer 2
Special arrangement at the Hotel Croix d`Or et Poste / Swiss Historic Hotel, Münster
The price includes:
- Welcome aperitif
- 6 nights
- Breakfast and dinner (3-course menu)
- Course costs
Categories
- per person in a double room Fr. 1'040.--
- Single room fully booked
- Double room for single use Fr. 1'160.--
Course costs separately when booking outside the special arrangement: Fr. 400.--
Young people up to 25 years in training Fr. 200.--
Course cost reduction for couples
Please note in the 'Comments' field which offer you would like to book (offer number or name of the hotel is sufficient).
Registration
The hotel accommodation must be paid for on site.
