General description

Cambridge Early Music Summer Schools are short study courses in Baroque, Renaissance and Medieval music. The courses offer specialist tuition by world-famous professional musicians. The summer schools are designed for amateur, semi-professional and professional musicians, and offer a high standard of tuition in a friendly and supportive context.

CEMSS was established by Selene Mills in 1992, in response to the apparent need for tuition in early music for amateur players and singers. Since then the summer schools have gone from strength to strength, maintaining a perfect balance of newcomers and ‘old hands’ who try to attend every year. The courses are small, so that everyone can get to know everyone else. The social aspect of the courses is important: tutors and students learn from each other as much in the dining hall as in the music rooms, and it’s definitely a two-way process. Selene and her volunteer assistants play a full part in the music as well as in the administration, and there is a high level of attention to the needs of each individual. The summer schools are financially self-supporting, with no outside funding. CEMSS survives because it is well supported by people who value its courses. Courses are open to everyone aged 18 and above.

Alongside the summer schools a series of concerts is given throughout the year in historic Cambridge venues. The annual programme is centred on performances by our regular summer school tutors, notably The Parley of Instruments and members of Musica Antiqua of London. Concerts are also promoted by other ensembles and soloists. Particularly favoured are performances by young musicians who have attended the summer schools and are embarking on professional careers.