Booking Form – ‘Carolan Special’ 2024
Simon Mayor Mandolin Retreat: Kenwood Hall, Sheffield. 15th-17th March 2024
Click here for a map of Kenwood Hall. Scroll down (on phone) for a synopsis.
Booking Form
We will send you details of how to pay
upon receipt of your form.
REMINDER – CANCELLATION
You are strongly advised to take out cancellation insurance should you need to withdraw (check your holiday insurance – it may include it).
Your payment will be fully refunded if the event is postponed or cancelled.
Simon writes…
The music of the Irish harper and composer Turlough O’Carolan (1670-1738) has featured from time to time in my mandolin workshops over the years. This is a chance for mandolinists – or players of other mandolin family instruments – to get more intimately acquainted with his music over the course of a weekend.
The two 2023 ‘Carolan Specials’ at Kenwood Hall proved very popular (there was only one scheduled originally). This workshop will revisit some of the favourite Carolan pieces but I’ll be trawling his collected works for new gems.
Carolan’s tunes for the most part follow the format of a typical traditional jig, reel or march: two sections, each usually repeated. Stylistically, they differ a little from a typical trad tune because he was also influenced by the classical music of his day, in particular the Italian composers Corelli and Geminiani.
Music will be sent out in advance in both standard notation and tablature. There’ll be duets, trios and quartets along with the odd solo for the brave to have a go at. For the most part, the harmony lines will be simpler than the melody, so less experienced players should still be able to make a welcome contribution to the sound.
Here’s a flavour of two of the arrangements:
The emphasis of the weekend will be very much on ensemble playing, but of course I’ll be happy to talk technique whenever necessary.
How good do I have to be?
Ideally you’ll be able to get from start to finish of a fairly simple tune without stalling, and you’ll be able to read music or tablature to a reasonable standard (if you’re an experienced player but have only ever played by ear, tablature is very easy to learn). If you’re a guitarist or violinist trying a mandolin for the first time, you should be OK, but this is not going to be suitable for a complete beginner.
Costings (prices include tuition and full board from evening meal on 15th to lunch on 17th)
£500 Single participant.
£612 One participant room sharing with a non-participating spouse or partner.
£842 Two participants, sharing a room.
We ask for a non-refundable deposit of £240 per person to secure your hotel room and place, with the outstanding balance payable one month ahead of the event.
What’s included in the price?
All mandolin sessions, accommodation, breakfasts, lunches, evening meals (three courses) and teas and coffees.