Elite Music Camps
Learn more than just the notes...
Horn Camp
Spring/Summer 2024 Dates
5th to 11th May
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12th to 18th May
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19th to 25th May
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2nd to 8th June
Develop your skills on Trumpet or Sax in a small group, super relaxed environment in truly beautiful surroundings.
Spend a week in the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountains of southern Spain eating, sleeping and breathing music with two of the music industry's most in-demand horn players:
Johnny Thirkell & Snake Davis
"It doesn't get any better than this!" - Julie P
"If you get a chance to go, don't think twice. You'll love it!!" - Craig D
With a maximum of only 7 students on each Horn Camp, tuition is tailored to suit individual needs and abilities in a safe and comfortable environment where we all support and help each other to improve. There'll be no judgment and no competitiveness.
We want to help you to progress on your instrument in any and every way we can: but more than that, we want to help you become better musicians, getting ever more satisfaction from your musical endeavours.
We won’t be forcing you to do anything you don’t want to do, we’ll always respect your right to "pass on this one’ - although we do hope you’ll be trying new things.
We'll encourage you to ask questions- no question is ‘stupid’... Ask us to go back over stuff.... Pause us while you write something down... take a video note... Whatever helps you to progress.
Johnny Thirkell
Johnny Thirkell is one of the UK’s top Trumpet and Flugelhorn players. He has played on hundreds of pop, rock & jazz recordings and at one stage was on at least one album in the UK charts continuously, without a break, for over 13 years! In 2023 he scored his 36th No.1 album with Shania Twain and "Queen of Me"
His credits include Buddy Rich Band, Level 42, George Michael, Jamiroquai, Pet Shop Boys, Phil Collins, Grace Jones, Bruno Mars, Cher, Tina Turner, UB40, Kylie Minogue, Pet Shop Boys, Swing Out Sister and Lisa Stansfield.
Snake Davis
Snake Davis is one of the most in-demand Sax players in the world, widely known for his solos on tracks such as Lisa Stansfield's “Change”, M-People's “Search For A Hero” and “Moving On Up” and Take That's “A Million Love Songs”. He has played and recorded with artists ranging from James Brown to Tina Turner to Paul McCartney, The Eurythmics to Amy Winehouse – having recorded on more than 500 tracks in recent years for over 60 artists and played live with dozens more.
The Course
The course caters for players of all styles and abilities. Whether you've been playing for years or are returning after a break, our relaxed and nurturing approach means that you will see real progress over the course of the week. Our belief in focusing on getting the fundamentals right means that everything we teach will be relevant to you, irrespective of your ability.
Trumpet and Sax tuition will largely be separate but there will be plenty of opportunity to get everyone together, play some tunes and have some fun.
During the day, as well as individual and small group workshops on your instrument, we will explore a range of ancillary techniques to improve your playing and musicianship, such as:
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Pilates for Musicians
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Breathing Workshop
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Maximising your practice time
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Cognitive Learning techniques
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Timing & Sight Reading
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Improvisation (don't worry. You don't have to play on your own)
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Ensemble playing
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and much more...
In addition, in the evening after Dinner we can all relax and talk about whatever comes up. It can be music related or not. We will, however, offer a range of short talks on topics like:
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Maximising Practice Efficiency
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Copyright & IP protection
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Dealing with Performance Anxiety
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Mindfulness
But if you'd prefer you can just relax, have a drink and ask questions in an informal environment. The house has a number of communal areas so you're free to join in or chill out somewhere else. Whatever you feel like.
There is space for non-playing partners to stay and there are plenty of places for them to explore while you are playing during the day. Or they can just relax by the pool.....
"I loved everything about this week and didn't want it to end" - Katie S
"What a fantastic experience!" - David P
For partners or for free time there is so much to do locally. The village of Monachil is a 10 minute walk and is a typical Andalusian village with a selection of great restaurants and bars. The house is on the route of the Los Cahorras gorge walk with its famous hanging bridges, and the historic city of Granada and the stunning Alhambra Palace are just 20 minutes away by bus from the village.
Fees
Fees are all inclusive and cover:
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All tuition
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Tuition resources - Worksheets, Music etc.
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Transfer to and from Malaga Airport *
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Accommodation for 6 Nights
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Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (except for one free evening)
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All Wine, Beers and Soft Drinks