yscolan residential music retreat
pentre ifan, preseli, pembrokeshire, west wales.
Summer 2009
The next yscolan residential music retreat will be from Tuesday, August 4th to Thursday August the 6th. Musicians are welcome
to apply immediately.
{click here for application form}
Tuesday, August 4th to Thursday, August 6th 2009
An opportunity to play, learn and contemplate music for ten adult (18+) musicians of mixed technical
ability. All in the splendid isolation of the magical rural setting of the Preseli hills.
The yscolan retreat's activity will be flexible and will respond to the input of its participants.
In this way the content brought by each musician will shape the retreat's form. But the starting point will be a
common desire to arrive at a deeper understanding of our own, personal musical expression. We will not be working
specifically towards playing with others or as an ensemble, but that may or may not be an outcome of the retreat.
Although music will be the true lingua franca of the participants, expect to hear Welsh, German, French or English spoken.
Background.
This is the fifth residential retreat to be organised by Ceri which takes as its direct inspiration the annual summer school organised by the English Acoustic collective in Ruskin Mill, led by Chris Wood, on which Ceri was invited to teach in the summer of 2007. The yscolan retreat will be focused on issues that grew out of that experience for him but which may not be the primary concern of the EAC summer school at the moment.
Though independent of each other, and perhaps different in nature, the EAC summer school and the yscolan retreat may be seen as complimentary and participants at one may benefit from attending the other.
The next yscolan retreat will be in Winter 2009.
For further details on any of the topics below, please write to ceri@yscolan.info or call 01559 384962
The focus of the retreat.
Musicians of different stylistic and cultural backgrounds will be welcome to explore an aspect of music making that is largely neglected in both the structured music education system and also in the categorised way in which music is marketed.
The yscolan retreat will focus on the relationship that exists between the creative musician working in cultural isolation today on the one hand, and on the other, the common, inherited, musical culture bequeathed by the past's anonymous musicians.
Folk, or traditional music.
The type of music that is generally referred to as folk or traditional music is the sonic backdrop to the music we all make today whether we call ourselves jazz, traditional, folk or classical musicians. It is in fact a synthesis of all the historically categorisable forms that have found their way, intact or fragmented, to our collective musical memory. It is the music that was gathered, filtered and nurtured by self-taught musicians over centuries. How we deal with this inheritance in a fractured society is of the utmost importance to musicians wishing to make music with their own voice. Being set in west Wales the yscolan retreat will inevitably use this particular inheritance as a musical starting point both as source material and as a comparative tool for participants from outside the area. But of course, participants will bring with them their own musical story...
Technical Ability.
The technical aspect of music making will not be the main focus of the yscolan retreat but a reasonable fundamental grasp of ones instrument is a minimum requirement. Technical virtuosity is welcomed but not as an end in itself. The ability to read music is not necessary but the ability to pick up a tune by ear or to remember an arrangement is important. The yscolan retreat is designed to accommodate those who consider themselves students as well as those who have been expressing themselves musically over a number of years.
The yscolan retreat is for musicians who play instruments that do not need electricity and a priority is given to melody over chordal or accompanying instruments. There is no piano at the centre.
Daily structure.
The retreat's activity will be flexible and will respond to the input of participants, but here is a broad framework. Participants are at liberty to take part in any or all group sessions. Alternatively they may choose to use the time as they see fit; reading, playing, walking, talking and so on.
Day One Arrival will be from 10.30 a.m.
People travelling from far may arrive throughout the morning. The very important introductory session will be after lunch. Then, supper and evening session.
Day two and three will begin after breakfast at around 10.30.
Morning session
Lunch will be made, eaten and cleared around the middle of the day.
Afternoon session
Supper will be made, eaten and cleared at around 7.00
Evening session
The duration of the evening session will be flexible and relaxed but will take into account the fact that the dormitories are directly underneath the main working room.
Day Four We must vacate the Centre by 9 a.m. See 'Extra', below.
Location.
Canolfan Pentre Ifan is a residential centre established by the Urdd, a charitable youth organization. However, the yscolan retreat is independent of the Urdd. Re-opened in 1992 as an education centre the building itself is a 600-year-old gatehouse surrounded by natural woodland and farmland, ensuring a peaceful and homely atmosphere.
Pentre Ifan is located some 2 miles from Newport (Trefdraeth), between Fishguard (Abergwaun) and Cardigan (Aberteifi) in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The area is predominantly Welsh speaking, typically rural and is noted for its magnificent views, historical remains and unique and abundant wildlife.
Accommodation.
Simple accommodation is offered at Pentre Ifan in the form of two, small, single sex dormitories located downstairs from the main work room (pictured above), with shower and washing facilities. The bunk beds are functional, warm and dry - but not luxurious. Tall, heavy or people with back problems may find them uncomfortable. Alternatively, there is a camping option in the grounds of Canolfan Pentre Ifan with use of the shower and washing facilities. Participants can upgrade if they wish at their own expense, to a variety of nearby excellent hotels and guesthouses situated within a five-minute drive.
Food.
We will cook and eat communally in the kitchen situated next door to the main working room. This will enable us to cater for any dietary requirements easily and together. Locally produced organic vegetables and staples will be supplied free but other food and drink costs are not included in the course fee.
Tariff.
The cost of the yscolan retreat is £160 per person which includes fees, bunkhouse accommodation or camping at Pentre Ifan with use of shower and washroom facilities. It also includes lunch and evening meal on the Friday and basic food ingredients including rice, pasta and locally produced organic vegetables for the remainder of the retreat. It is not intended to be an ascetic experience however, and we will pool together to buy other foodstuffs such as meat, (there are excellent local organic butchers) fish, alcohol, tea, coffee, bread, cheese, milk and anything else we fancy, on Saturday morning. £10 to £15 each is usually plenty to cover these extras. Please bring with you any luxuries you can't live without.
Clean sheets and pillows are provided by Canolfan Pentre Ifan, but please bring your own blankets, quilts, duvets, sleeping bags, towels, soap, hot water bottles etc.
If you want to upgrade to local B&B or country pub accommodation please let us know and we will help you find somewhere suitable. Typical prices are
Single from £50.00 at the Trewern arms
Double from £37.50 per person at the Trewern arms
Single from £35.00 at the Globe B&B
Double or twin £25 per person at the Globe B&B
Application.
Places are limited strictly to ten. Please print and fill in the application form
{click here. pdf}
describing why you think the retreat would benefit you.
Returning musicians are welcome to re-apply and a balance of compatible participants will be aimed for on each separate retreat. Early booking is recommended.
On hearing that your application has been accepted a deposit of £60 will be due within a week. Deadline for applications is June 1st 2009. The balance will be due by July 20th.
Extra...
Canolfan Pentre Ifan must be vacated by 9 a.m Friday morning. Ceri will be going for a gentle walk along the Pembrokeshire coast path later in the morning and anyone who is able or wishes to stay can join him. The drive to Ty Ddewi (St David's) is about forty minutes maximum west of Pentre Ifan. We'll probably walk from Porthclais to Llanstinian along the coast path taking in the full breadth of St Brides Bay, and with distant views of the island of Gwales (with Mabinogi connections) and closer views of Ramsey.
