At the beginning of August I attended my first Norvis* Summer School, held in Barnard Castle School, County Durham. This was a celebration of music making – Early Music to be precise – music from Elizabethan to Baroque era, up to mid 1700s. I met met exotic instruments such as the chalumeau, crumhorn and cornamuse. One lady brought her Northumbrian small pipes. Then there were the expected Baroque instruments, violins, cellos, viols of all sizes, lutes, a Scandinavian theorbo, which looked quite different to the standard theorbo, also present, recorders, harpsichords and Baroque guitars. The pitch was A415. I was there to learn more about harpsichord playing.

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The Swaledale Festival finished on 10th June. Our unique local festival offers an eclectic mix of music, from Medieval to 21st century compositions, and across all genres, classical, jazz, folk and world music. Add in guided walks in the beautiful countryside, talks and exhibitions, to make a feast of the arts packed into a fortnight. The concerts take place in beautiful churches in Swaledale and Wensleydale, and comprise one hour’s duration intimate afternoon concerts, and full length evening concerts, making two concerts daily. I spent a lot of time driving between venues during the fortnight!

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