The music

For 35 years, La Pellegrina has annually organised a summer course for instrumentalists and (choral) singers in Czechia. This course has two aspects: chamber music or chamber choir, and a joint programme for soloists, orchestra and choir. The summer school takes place in the conservatoire of České Budějovice. České Budějovice, also known by its German name Budweis, is a friendly town where the proximity to Austria is palpable. The conservatory has recently undergone extensive renovation. The concert hall has air condition, the entrance is spacious and bright, and the work areas have been refurbished. There are excellent grand pianos and fine facilities for making music. So anyone who would have liked to study at a conservatoire can still do so! In the same building there is accommodation in the school hostel, with simple but clean single and double rooms, each with its own shower and toilet. In addition, there is a choice of hotels in various price ranges in the area. 

Chamber music & chamber choir

The mornings are devoted to small ensembles. Every participant will be assigned to two different ensembles, alternating per day. At least half of the time the ensembles receive intensive coaching by the tutors. The ensembles will have an opportunity to present themselves in an internal concert.

Rob Klotz: If I have to have an addiction, going to La Pellegrina is my drug of choice

Instrumentalists take part in chamber music in all possible combinations of string and winds, with or without piano. All formations from quartet upward are possible, with perhaps a few incidental trios. Ensembles will be formed well in advance, so you can prepare your parts thoroughly at home. Very advanced singers (see the description here) may also participate in this. There is also the unique possibility to form larger and more complex combinations, also with winds, that are not easy to organize 'at home'. Think of Schubert's Octet, the Spohr Nonet and the Allegro for four string quartets by the Dutch romantic composer Van Bree.

Yo van Dijk: "What I jumped into with some cold feet turned out to be a pleasant warm bath of enthusiastic musicians. For a moment you are in another world, a more beautiful one without worries"

Each morning the singers form a chamber choir and work on music for chamber choir, a cappella and with piano. Some singers can form combinations with instruments. For instance, a soprano could do Schubert's Hirt auf dem Felsen or Spohr's Lieder for voice, clarinet and piano. A baritone could work on Barber's Dover Beach with a string quartet. A few more suggestions: Pergolesi's Stabat Mater with strings, Mozart and Haydn Lieder for several voices and piano, Telemann's Harmonischer Gottesdienst, Schubert's Hochzeitsbraten or other Schubert works for several voices and piano, etc., etc.

The course is open to individual participants as well as existing ensembles.

There will be time for occasional combinations and musical get-togethers. A special evening will be the Mozart Concerto Event, where pianists and other instrumentalists are invited to prepare a movement from a concerto by Mozart or a contemporary and the other instrumentalists are asked to accompany, sight-reading the orchestral parts.

Anke Muusse: “I really enjoyed my first musical pellegrina week because of the level of the course, the variety of chamber music and tutti program, the guidance by good coaches and the wonderful music!”

Anke Wolffes: "The rehearsals were very pleasant. Dirkjan manages every year to be ambitious and motivating, yet relaxed in his way of working with us"

For whom

Choir

The course is open to 32 experienced chamber choir singers (SATB). The choir has a big and challenging part in de Missa in tempore belli. In addition, the choristers form a chamber choir every morning and work on music by Mendelssohn, Dvořák, Mozart and their Czech contemporaries. Mitchell Sandler will lead this choir in his inimitable way, combining helpful vocal instructions and excellent piano accompaniment with clear direction. Czech professional singers, in particular tenors and basses, will join the choir if the balance between the various voice groups needs it.

Marrie Kardol "Pellegrina has become one of my best and healthiest addictions!"

Yolande Krooshof: "I have persuaded three people to join the course, eerie, but they all have enjoyed it!"

Introductory rehearsal

On Saturday, 1 June, a preliminary rehearsal day will be held in Den Dolder near Utrecht. Of course this rehearsal is not obligatory for participants from outside the Netherlands. Still, quite often a few participants not living in the Netherlands turn up, combining it with a weekend sightseeing or visiting friends. Mitchell Sandler and Dirkjan Horringa will lead this rehearsal day. Its aim is to get to know the other participants, and to have a first go at the choral and orchestral programme, so you can then prepare your part more efficiently. More information on the venue and times will follow. Beside that, it is inspiring to meet your 'chamber music colleagues' and to discuss the work your are going to play or sing.

Marieke van Dantzig: "forging a beautiful whole out of a weird combination of people, styles and musical skills in a short time: that is the magic of inspirator Dirkjan"

Week programme and daily schedule

Week programme

• Thursday 24 July: arrival in České Budějovice, course opening with dinner at 18:00 h, first rehearsal for soloists, choir and orchestra in the evening
• Friday evening 25 July: tutors' chamber music concert
• Tuesday 30 July: 'free day'
• Wednesday evening 30 July Mozart Concerto Event: participants play solo in movements from Mozart concertos, a vue accompanied by the orchestra
• Friday afternoon and evening 1 August: participants' chamber music concerts
• Saturday 2 August: final, public concert of choir and orchestra at the cathedral
• Sunday morning 3 August: departure after breakfast

François Lanave: "I was the only French-speaking person at breakfast among musicians speaking a strange language with raspy 'g' sounds. But they immediately turned nicely into English, so that we could communicate"

Daily schedule

• 8:00 breakfast
• 9:30-12:30 Instrumentalists and singers rehearse chamber music in small ensembles and chamber choir
• 13:00 lunch
• 14:30 the orchestra first works in sectional rehearsals, later also in full ensemble; the choir works at first separately on Haydn's Missa in tempore belli. Later in the week, choir and orchestra rehearse together
• 17:30 drinks and dinner
• Evening off, plenty of time for playing more chamber music, and don’t forget that Czechia is famous for its beer...

Robert Beverly: "Pellegrina is a supportive and exhilarating musical experience for serious amateur musicians who are willing to work hard toward the goal of a polished public performance"

Where

Read more about České Budějovice, the place where the course will be held:

• České Budějovice, the town
• Travel options and initerary to České Budějovice

Casper van Dongen: “Beautiful music at Czech high level for amateurs in the conservatoire of a beautiful Bohemian city: an annual feast! La Pellegrina has been my annual 'therapy' for almost 20 years now... Where do you make music with such variety and where do you drink your beer in such a beautiful setting?”

With whom

The tutors of this course are passionate specialists in their musical fields: Martina Bernášková, Petr Bernášek, Pavel Hořější, Dirkjan Horringa, Libor Nováček, Mitchell Sandler, Rudolf Sternadel and Jitka Vlašánková.

How to register

As soon as the registration is open, so from December 1, you can register by using the registration form and paying the deposit of EUR 300 (which of course will be refunded in case you cannot be placed).

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