Early Music education charity, Cambridge Early Music, announces new director for its Renaissance Summer School

Internationally renowned cornettist and teacher Gawain Glenton has been appointed as the new director for Cambridge Early Music’s Renaissance Summer School, Le Cris de Paris, which will run 4-11 August 2019 at Girton College, Cambridge.

“Most arresting of all is the 'Ave Verum' with Gawain Glenton freewheeling mellifluously above the four male voices . . . Glenton's effortless virtuosity is par for the course in a disc that encourages dizzying vocal pyrotechnics and flights of ornamental fancy.” 

​BBC Music Magazine (I Fagiolini ‘Monteverdi – The Other Vespers’, Decca Classics)

Gawain has a host of award-winning recordings to his name, and works with many of the world’s finest and most progressive interpreters of Early Music. Though CEM’s Renaissance Summer School is Gawain’s only current course directorship, his research and expertise in the field of ornamenting early music has also led to him becoming increasingly in demand as a coach for both singers and instrumentalists. His experience as a professional singer and player of reed instruments and recorders contributes to Gawain’s reputation as a highly versatile musician. Gawain brings to the position a combination of practical expertise and a wealth of historical knowledge, as well as a firm belief in fostering an inclusive approach: ​

“I’m incredibly excited to have the opportunity to shape Cambridge Early Music’s Renaissance Summer School over the coming years, and to share my passion for repertoire which may be old but is very much alive. My aim is to create an environment in which participants of all levels – beginner or expert – feel encouraged to try new things, to have fun, to make friends and to grow as musicians. We all – tutors and participants alike – have so much still to explore in terms of skills and understanding and I can’t wait to get cracking.”
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Gawain has invited a new team of internationally recognised tutors to work alongside him. They are experienced and patient coaches who provide expertise across an enormous range of instruments. They include Clare Wilkinson (voice), Jacob Heringman (lute), Dr. Uri Smilansky (viols and recorder), Catherine Motuz (sackbut and improvisation) and William Lyons (shawm, traverso, recorder, pipes, curtal). ​Don’t miss this rare opportunity to study and perform exciting repertoire from ‘The Sounds of Court and City in 16th-century France’ with The Courtiers of Grace. Full information can be found here. 

​Gawain joins revered Baroque course director Peter Holman, who has been expertly guiding CEM’s much-loved courses for many years. Participants from age 18 upwards who have suitable skills are warmly welcomed, and financial support and course scholarships are now available through Cambridge Early Music’s ‘Selene Webb (née Mills) Memorial Bursary Fund’.
 
The Baroque Summer School, Paris versus Versailles, runs 28 July-4 August 2019; the Renaissance Summer School, Le Cris de Paris, runs 4-11 August 2019. Places are available on both courses and applications are welcome.