Sinfonietta
Principal Conductor: Alan Shellard
Professional string, woodwind and brass tutors
“An excellent week that passed all too quickly.”
previous course member
Alan Shellard will be conducting the Sinfonietta for our 2026 course. Within the main orchestral timetable there will also be sectional sessions with our hugely experienced team of tutors, aimed at improving every aspect of orchestral technique. The programme for the final concert will be chosen during the week, and will include a selection of movements from the following repertoire:
- Mozart…..Overture to Cosi Fan Tutte
- Beethoven…..Overture to The Creatures of Prometheus
- Mendelssohn…..Nocturne from ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’
- Schubert…..Symphony No. 3
- Grieg…..Peer Gynt suite no.1
- Fauré…..Pavane
- Arthur Wood…..Barwick Green
- Vivian Ellis…..Coronation Scot
- Ancliffe…..Waltz; Nights of Gladness
The music is chosen both to fit within the comfort zone and abilities of the Sinfonietta players, but also to provide some additional challenges; challenges which have stimulated some excellent performances in recent years.
Woodwind places will be confirmed in February 2026. Some doubling is usually expected in this ensemble.
Alan Shellard is a versatile freelance musician with a diverse portfolio that includes performing, conducting, and teaching. A graduate of the Royal College of Music, he studied clarinet with Michael Collins and conducting with Peter Stark.
Alan has an extensive performance history, frequently appearing as a soloist and in chamber ensembles at venues across London and the UK for various music clubs and societies. He also works as a freelancer with orchestras, choral societies, opera companies and marching bands. As a conductor, Alan works with the Imperial College Wind Band and Chamber Ensemble for its weekly rehearsals.
In addition to his freelance work, Alan has been an Army Reserve musician since 2015. He is Sergeant in The Band of The Honourable Artillery Company, where he is a solo clarinet player and small ensemble leader.
STRING & WOODWIND ENSEMBLES
String and woodwind players from the two orchestras also get opportunities through the week to work with tutors on specific ensemble repertoire. String sessions are co-ordinated by Steve Bingham, and woodwind by Graham Dolby, and the ensembles get a chance to showcase their work in the Ensembles Concert. There will be specific programmed rehearsal sessions for Sinfonietta strings and Sinfonietta woodwind.
These sessions are tutor-led and will explore repertoire chosen to suit each ensemble. They also provide an opportunity to work on some of the specific skills needed to work as an instrumental section. Horns and brass players – not to be left out – have their own ensemble sessions and concert.
In addition to timetabled sessions, there are opportunities during the week to form ad hoc ensembles, and members are encouraged to bring sets of music for that purpose as these are not provided by the summer school. Members may also participate in the full range of optional activities, including with the choir and in the Members’ Concert.
TUTORIALS
One of the exceptional strengths of the NLMS Summer School is the high ratio of tutors to members. Typically, one of the daily sessions is a “sectional” rehearsal:
- Each string section in both orchestras, from first violins through to double basses, has a daily session with the professional who leads that section
- Specialist tutors for each woodwind instrument will be present throughout the summer school.
STANDARD
This course is intended for instrumentalists of approximately Grades 5-7 but applications from string players of a slightly lower standard than that, who have good experience, will be considered. Clarinettists should bring both B flat and A instruments.