Let your mind provoke you to be an artist
Contact us to join our Thinking Musician Retreat.
Weekend Music Course
Rotherhithe, London
28th - 29th October 2023
ABOUT THE COURSE
A journey of discovery and provocation for high-level young artists
What is The Thinking Musician?
What defines a great artist?
How is individuality nurtured and developed?
When does an excellent performer become a compelling communicator?
This intense weekend programme draws together élite students who are searching for the next level of artistry and accomplishment.
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The focus is not primarily on skills as a practitioner, but exploring what can be found and released that creates the true artist.
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Each student’s activities will comprise the following:
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Lessons (individual or chamber) and the opportunity to observe all lessons
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Performance in group classes and participation in feedback sessions and discussions
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Attendance and participation at a “provocation” with guest speaker
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A Qigong session
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Group workshops focusing on different aspects of becoming a successful and thoughtful performing artist
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Participation in the final public performance
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Post-concert reception
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The Thinking Musician is a phone-free course. We believe in human connection and encourage all our students to have a full screen-detox.
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The Thinking Musician London Weekend Course 28th-29th October is non-residential.
THE TEACHERS
Maria Tarasewicz
Piano - Duo Coach
Maria Tarasewicz – piano, duo coaching, founder and director of the course, has an international reputation as a chamber musician, duo partner and a pedagogue and is committed to working with, and developing young artists. Her global reputation as a teacher comes from her insights into chamber music playing, releasing creativity in the moment of performance, underpinned by a deep understanding of score, composer and context. She has invitations to perform and teach around the world and has developed a unique duo programme at the Royal College of Music in London. Maria now lives in Europe where she focuses on developing new projects, coaching young artists and performing chamber music and duo repertoire.
Tai Chi Qigong
Piotr Kardas
Piotr is one of this country’s leading teachers and practitioners of Tai Chi Qigong.
Piotr has physiotherapy background and is also a sports therapist and experienced specialist exercise practitioner. His extensive and broad-based training through the Sifu Wing Cheung’s Comprehensive 3 level Tai Chi Qigong Training Course, and subsequently the Qigong Teacher Training Course run by Shiatsu College, means he is now in great demand for his specialised and holistic approach to physical well-being and mindfulness. Piotr was recently appointed to Royal Marsden Hospital, a globally renowned research hospital. Qigong is a deeply transforming art with many health benefits, and which also brings so much happiness and serenity to this who practise it.
SANDS FILMS STUDIO
Nestled in the quiet and untravelled footpaths of historic Bermondsey is the Sands Films Studio with its unique Music Room.
Sands Films Studio is a small, independent film & TV production company. From their 18th Century warehouse, Sands Films produced over a dozen feature films from "Little Dorrit" (1987) and "The Good Soldier Schwejk" (2017). Sands Films is also well known as a costumier and its workshop has provided costumes for many period films and TV from "Marie Antoinette" to "Little Women". Within this iconic building there is also a film & TV stage and recording studio, postproduction facilities, the Rotherhithe Picture Research Library, Sands Films Cinema Club and Sands Films Music Room.
Not only is the music room a superb and bespoke venue for live performance, but a fundamental philosophy is that no charge is made to the audience. The concept is that art should not be monetised and that access to culture must not be conditional on a financial transaction. Donations are invited and the idealism of the scheme is greatly supported by audience and artists alike.
LOCATION
Sands Films Studio
82 St Marychurch Street
Rotherhithe, London, SE16 4HZ
Tel: 0207 231 2209
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Rotherhithe is a small village in the heart of London. It is spectacularly located along the River Thames, just 15-20 minutes from bustling London Bridge and Canada Water stations.
More on the area:
https://www.stokedtotravel.com/locals-guide-rotherhithe-in-london/
https://www.walks.com/blog/things-to-do-in-rotherhithe/
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TRAVEL
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Tube: Canada Water (Zone 2) is on the Jubilee Line and provides a quick route to Canary Wharf and Stratford in one direction, and Westminster and Bond Street in the other.
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Overground: Surrey Quays, Rotherhithe and Canada Water stations all connect to the Overground network. Trains from Surrey Quays to Whitechapel take less than ten minutes.
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Bus: Local bus routes include 1 (to New Oxford Street), 381 (to Waterloo station), C10 (to Victoria), 47 (to Shoreditch), and 188 (to Russell Square).
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Boat: There are two Thames Clipper river taxi services – leaving from Greenland Dock and Hilton Docklands.
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Cycling: A cycle route roughly following the Jubilee Line from Canada Water to Blackfriars is to be designated a ‘Quietway’.
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FEES & APPLICATIONS
Course fees
Single Participant: £180
Piano Trio: £300
String Quartet: £400
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This includes:
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2 days full participation in course includes all tuition, group classes, rehearsals, workshops and provocations
Participation in the final public concert which will be recorded (recording will be available)
Reception after the concert
Discount in local outlets
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In exceptional cases we accept fees being paid in instalments.
Please enquire at: thethinkingmusician@gmail.com
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Application deadline is 1st October 2023. To apply, please download the application form (below) and send it to thethinkingmusician@gmail.com
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There is an inscription fee of £50; refundable if your application is unsuccessful.
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BANK DETAILS:
Account name: THE THINKING MUSICIAN LIMITED
Account Number: 24282562
Sort Code: 23-05-80
IBAN: GB25MYMB23058024282562
SWIFT BIC: MYMBGB2L
REFERENCE: Your surname