This year's courses are held at Sidney Sussex College (founded in 1596 by Lady Frances Sidney, aunt of the poet Sir Philip Sidney), in the University of Cambridge. The main attractions of the ancient city of Cambridge are within a very short walk of the college, including specialist shops selling early music editions, recordings and books. Other suppliers of bows, instruments, books and music often visit the courses. Accommodation for participants is provided in College. All rooms are comfortably-furnished single study-bedrooms with wash-hand basins and tea-making facilities. Standard rooms have shared shower/bath facilities, but en-suite rooms are available for an extra charge: see application form. All meals and refreshments (except for bar drinks) are provided for residents; non-residents are provided with all meals and refreshments except for breakfast and bar drinks. Rates for half board are also offered. Please notify us in advance of any special dietary or accommodation needs.
Sidney Sussex rose from the ruins of an Augustinian Priory in 1597 and, while historically not one of the 'traditional' musical establishments in Cambridge, it has long been a nest for professional musicians. One of the earliest was the Royalist pamphleteer, author, and violist Roger L'Estrange (1616-1704), whose family were patrons of the composer John Jenkins. Earlier still, the great Elizabethan composer William Byrd would have been well-known to the foundress, Lady Frances Sidney, and indeed two very fine elegies by Byrd survive for her nephew, the poet and courtier Sir Philip Sidney. The College's twentieth-century musicians include the jazz-blues saxophonist Dick Hecksall-Smith (1953), the composer/conductor/percussionist James Wood (1972), and bass/baritone Andrew Stewart (1997). Currently resident in the College are Dr Christopher Page (1991), founder and former director of the multi-award-winning Gothic Voices, and Dr David Skinner (2006), the College's first Director of Music.
Apart from extensive walled gardens and various function rooms, a new multi-functioning auditorium is currently under construction (for completion in 2008), which will house a Steinway grand piano, a French double-manual harpsichord, and music practice rooms. The 90-seater Mong Hall (built in 1999), with a Bechstein grand, is also an ideal venue for chamber music. The beautiful College Chapel, too, has a grand piano and will soon be acquiring a chamber organ to supplement the main organ.
More information is on the Sidney Sussex College website.
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