About NCMC ...

In the beginning...

 

The National Chamber Music Course was the inspiration of Elisabeth Waterhouse and grew out of her lifelong passion for chamber music. In 1974 Elisabeth, pianist ,violist, teacher of Alexander Technique and a leading teacher of Suzuki violin, with her husband the distinguished bassoonist William Waterhouse started two small complementary music camps.

 

The first was NCMC, a traditional chamber course for string players and this quickly developed into the present course for up to 64 young musicians of Grade 5 standard and above. The second camp, TDSS, was designed for beginners and young players. It implemented the then new methodology of the Japanese pedagogue and violinist Shinichi Suzuki for the teaching of young students (and their parents) called the Suzuki Method. (For more information on TDSS please click on the following link Temple Dinsley Summer School) .

 

Both NCMC and TDSS moved to Princess Helena College in 1985 and after 36 years on the closure of PHC in 2021 moved to our fabulous current venue, The Oratory in the southern Chilterns. Elisabeth and the Waterhouse family continue to be actively involved in the running of both camps, ensuring that students continue to receive the highest standard of musical tuition and education. The aim of the two camps - one with parents attending and one with students unaccompanied - is to encourage the growth of personal development and to assist in creating a solid foundation for a lifetime's enjoyment of music-making in the company of friends.

Madrigals by candlelight in the Old Chapel

 

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