The class meets in the morning for a group warm up and discussion about creating your own personal warm up and study regime to suit your individual playing level and responsibilities. We usually have a pianist in the morning, so Roger focuses on masterclass style lessons. In the afternoon, we tend to work on orchestral passages, tuba ensemble material, and then Roger gives private lessons. Students can also play in the various brass ensembles (quintet, quartet, large ensemble) which are coached by various faculty members. The other teachers include Vince Chicowizc (trumpet), Fergus McWilliams and Jamie Sommerville (horn) as well as leading Canadian brass players and the members of the the brass section of the Quebec Symphony Orchestra. The tubist is Lance Nagels, an excellent player and teacher and a close personal friend. In addition to lessons with Roger, you can take lessons with Lance (and with other teachers as their schedules allow). There are also evening concerts open to the students, and orchestral reading sessions for full brass section.
| Brass Faculty for 2005 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Tuba | ||
| Roger Bobo | Internationally renowned brass teacher and tuba soloist | |
| Lance Nagels | Principal Tuba, Quebec Symphony Orchestra | |
| Trombone | ||
| Evelin Auger | Principal Trombone, Quebec Symphony Orchestra | |
| Murray Crewe | Bass Trombone, Pittsburgh Symphoniy Orchestra | |
| Riccardo Casero | Principal Trombone, Barcelona Symphony Orchestra | |
| Trumpet | ||
| Vincent Cichowicz | Formerly a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, internationally renowned brass teacher | |
| Manon La France | Principal Trumpet, Orchestre des Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal | |
| Trent Sandheim | Second Trumpet, Quebec Symphony Orchestra | |
| Geoffrey Thompson | Principal Trumpet, Quebec Symphony Orchestra | |
| French Horn | ||
| Fergus McWilliam | Berlin Philharmonic | |
| James Sommerville | Principal Horn, Boston Symphony | |
| Guy Carmicheal | Director and Professor, Conservatoire de music de Quebec | |
Students (and teachers) are housed in nice condominium apartments (referred to as studios) in the same location as the classrooms - three or four students per apartment. Meals for students, teachers and staff are in the cafeteria. The course dates are June 6- 18 (5 and 19 are the travel days, the course actually starts on the morning of Monday June 6, and the last concert is on Saturday June 18).
On the Domaine Forget website www.domaineforget.com , there is travel information. I travel from Toronto, taking a train to Quebec City via Montreal, and then the bus from Quebec (or even Montreal) to the stop near the course - "La Malbaie". From there, you can arrange to have the Domaine Forget people pick you up. Some people drive to the course, and there are detailed instructions and a map on the Domaine Forget website. You can also fly, the closest airport is in Quebec City, and then you need to take the bus. You don't actually need a car at Domaine Forget. but some people like to have transportation for going into town, buying beer (Quebec beer is excellent), etc.
I don't know who is registered so far this year, but last year's students included college players from Canada and the US, two of Roger's Masters degree students from the Lausanne Conservatory, and three students who have recently been accepted in Roger's studio at the Royal Northern College of Music. It is a high level course, but also a lot of fun and Roger always creates a very supportive atmosphere in the group. This has the reputation for being an intense course that's also very enjoyable, and the tuba class is the most intense and the most fun of all! If you play both CC and F tuba, bring them both if possible. If you can't bring both for travel difficulties, I suggest you bring only the F. Of course, if you don't play F, it's fine to bring a CC tuba.
Application form and info
Download our handy .pdf version of the Domaine Forget information and application form and you can register today! Don't forget that registrations sent by March 1 are applicable for the 10% discount!.
| Financial Information for 2005 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | Must be included with registration materials. Application deadline: 1 April 2005. Application deadline in order to benefit from the 10% early ap. discount: 1 March 2005. | |
| Canadian Citizens: $50 Canadian |
International applicants (includes US citizens): $ 40 US |
|
| Course Fee | 50% of the fee is due upon receipt of the acceptance letter from Domaine Forget. The remaining balance is due May 1 and may be paid by credit card or post-dated cheque. Note that this fee includes tuition, housing and meals! | |
| Canadian Citizens: $1000 Canadian |
International applicants (includes US citizens): $ 950 US |
|
| Financial Assistance | ...may be awarded on a merit basis, and the amount may be up to one half of the total course fees. Applicants wishing to apply for financial assistance should include with their application a recently recorded CD or cassette, clearly indicating their name, instrument, and titles and timings of the works performed. Application deadline: 1 March. | |
The Domaine Forget will retain 50 % of the participation fees if a candidate cancels one month of less before the start of the session.