Welcome to Toppenkurset 2011!
Also this year the course will take place at the new location, Sandvik Folkehøgskole. In our experience the conditions for arranging Toppenkurset at this school are very good, so we will have a great time together also this year! In addition to participants from all parts of Norwegian, we expect groups of youth/students from The Russian Karelian Republic, Iceland, Italy, Serbia and perhaps Denmark, and also participants from other countries. And our teachers are just as international as the participants!
THE FOUR BASIC GROUPS OF THE YEAR
Toppensymfonikerne: A full symphonic orchestra conducted by Nicholas Carthy – he says he loves to come back, for the sixth time – we are very lucky indeed! The main repertoire will be
- J. Sibelius. Symphony No. 2
- S. Rachmaninoff. Piano Concerto No. 2
Kammerorkester: The chamber orchestra will also have big challenges and nice music, although it will not be on the symphonic orchestra’s high level. The repertoire isn’t ready yet. Please tell us your wishes!
Juniororkester: We do want a big junior orchestra this year! – for children approx. 8-13 years of age (depending more on your level than of your age). Conductor: Information about repertory will follow later. Do you have any good ideas yourself? We will like to hear!
Pianokurs: For children and youth on different levels, also master-classes. Piano may be your main instrument or your secondary instrument. As a pianist you may also join the improvisation group and/or chamber music groups.
MINI COURSES
Between the rehearsals for orchestras and piano, you may choose to attend some other courses, according to your wishes. There will be nothing extra to pay. You may sign for these offers after your arrival. BUT: For those attending the composing course, the teacher will need certain knowledge about his students – their level, wishes etc. This will help him to prepare for a constructive course!
The mini courses of the year:
- Chamber music ensembles, for all orchestra instruments, including piano and cembalo
- Theory
- Choir
- Composing
- Conductorship
- International folk music
- Improvisation work-shop
- Master-classes
- Private individual lessons
SHEET MUSIC
For the symphony orchestra, we have posted links on our home page: http:// www.toppenkurset.no/pages/hovedside/noter-til-toppensymfonikerne.php
You can print out your own sheets and start practicing already!! We hope you like the music! :-D It’s of great importance that everyone is preparing as much as possible before the course starts! There will also be some time scheduled for group rehearsals.
For our pianists
There will be interpretation and technique lessons. Bring with you your own sheet music on the pieces you wish to play. You may also send an e-mail to franziska@wika.no – tell her what pieces you are currently working on, and your wishes for the course. The piano students will get their own individual schedules. We encourage everyone to bring sheet music for 4- or 2-hand piano etc. If you wish to play chamber music, we would like to know beforehand - early! That will make us able to prepare properly. You are free to suggest the works yourself, if you inform Franziska in time, and send her the sheet music needed.
Most of the piano lessons will take place in an upper secondary school in Mosjøen and Mosjøen kulturhus (the cultural centre). The school is equipped with a lot of rooms for piano teaching. Mosjøen kulturhus has a new Steinway grand piano and there will be an opportunity to use this. A new cembalo will also be at our disposal.
For the members of our junior orchestra
You will get sheet music on the first rehearsal. Before the course: Practice the solo pieces you wish to play on the private lessons.
Individual periods, and chamber music for orchestra musicians
Individual lessons. You may have private lessons with an outstanding professor during the course, if you want. It will then be very important for your teacher that you decide in advance and tell her/him beforehand what you wish to play!
Master-classes. There will also be open master-classes for string and wind instruments, and piano.
Chamber ensembles. Some of the participants may receive sheet music from us beforehand, but we are also open to fit together ensembles during the course. Please remember: Bring with you your sheet music for solo works or chamber music you want to play during the course, or want to study assisted by your teacher. Piano accompaniment will be given for students of string and wind instruments. So remember to bring piano sheet music for your solo works, too!
Folk music
“Rainbow Strings” is the name of a music project and the belonging ensemble for children and youth in the Nordic counties and Russian Karelia, playing mostly folk music from their areas. They gather various places. Also this year Rainbow Strings will be an integrated part Toppenkurset, so there will be plenty of folk music! The energetic leader, Maria Frolova, will provide new repertory as well as a refreshment of known traditional tunes.
We also encourage participants from other countries to prepare some folk music, for groups and soloists. Maria and all of us will be happy, so please…! You are also very welcome to teach others about your folk music. Do you also like to dance? Great!
Improvisation
The young composer Raymond Enoksen will be the responsible and enthusiastic teacher also this year. Please mind the importance of contacting Raymond beforehand – he needs that to make a successful preparation!
Theory and composition
You may sign up to attend the courses of theory and composition already now, or after your arrival. The composer, Raymond Enoksen, will also teach these classes, in Norwegian and English.
THE FEES
Instruction, accommodation, all meals, arranged experiences and transportation during the course: NOK: 500 per day.
If you have private accommodation, it will be NOK 400 a day for all the rest.
From second sibling: NOK 400 per day.
For quilt with fresh sheets, for the entire course: NOK 250.
For travel guides / companions: For stay with full board and lodging (price level depends on standard) NOK 450/350/300 – Please contact us if you have questions.
Payments can be made via internet bank, or invoice to SWIFT-address: DNBANOKK
IBAN: NO7245301199868
Deadline: The 20th July. Double check the account number to avoid any errors, and keep your receipt.
For participants abroad we have applied to certain funds, hoping to get hand of money meant for foreign participants with heavy travel expenses. Some of the participants live in countries with much lower costs and salaries than Norway, these funds may also help. We don’t know the result of our fund applications yet. We will keep in touch with all the participants abroad respecting financial matters and keep them updated.
You may benefit from booking your tickets early. Please also make investigations where you come from – perhaps some funds may help you, or your music school/ academy?
SCHEDULE
The schedule will be posted on our webpage. Changes might occur in the weeks before the course starts. Our webpage will be frequently updated. Here you will also find a lot of other useful information! Stay updated on what happens by visiting www.toppenkurset.no!
CONCERTS
Our websites will tell you about the concerts – we’re still planning. When the course starts, will put up lists so it will be possible for everyone to sign to play – there will be a great number of concerts, small and big ones. The two biggest ones will be the traditional final concert in Mosjøen Cultural Centre, and a concert at the coast, as a part of a music cruise by the famous Helgeland archipelago!
THE 8TH AUGUST – THE DAY IT STATS – WOW!
The course will be officially opened Monday, the 8th August at noon (12:00), but the registration starts at 10:00 a.m.
Please tell us beforehand when you will arrive in Mosjøen, by plane or by train, and we will arrange for transportation to Sandvik folkehøgskole.
FOOD ALLEGIES AND HEALTH
The applications inform us about participants who have food allergy, are vegetarians, or have other certain needs. If you have forgotten to tell us, please tell us now. The kitchen needs to know this in time. If there is any other health related issues we should be aware of, we wish to know this before the course starts, for the sake of your safety and convenience. Our instructors will be told what they need to know.
PHOTOSHOOT
We will take photos during the course and post them on our website. If you don’t want to be photographed, please inform us about this.
We hope you will have a great summer! We wish you good luck with your preparations.
Welcome to Mosjøen for a fantastic musical experience!
The best regards from Franziska and Trond Wika
Mosjøen, 2nd May, 2011
