“MUSIC FOR THE MOUNTAINS”
“An ideal learning environment set in an area of outstanding natural beauty”
AMS: early beginnings and how the courses developed
The Alexander Music School was founded by professional cellist and Alexander Technique Teacher, Cat Jary, and was originally intended simply as a venue to host short courses in music and the Alexander Technique. Situated in the tiny village of Ferreirola, set in the heart of Spain’s Alpujarras mountain range, one of the most beautiful parts of Southern Europe, the school is the perfect learning environment to inspire both teacher and students alike. The combined possibilities of tranquillity, relaxation, adventure and fun result in an atmosphere conducive to learning, personal growth and rejuvenation, and exciting music making. The courses offer a unique opportunity for people to become fully immersed in the experience, away from the usual time constraints and pressures of modern city living.
AMS offers three types of courses:
1.Music courses for those who either wish to play chamber music, or study in depth aspects of their respective instruments or repertoire.
2.Alexander Technique courses for people wishing to deepen their understanding of the principles of F. M. Alexander’s work.
3.Courses applying Alexander Technique to music and performance, with a particular emphasis on healthy music making. These will be of benefit to those musician’s suffering from playing related injuries, tension in performance or stage fright, in addition to those looking to prevent future injury or to enhance their own freedom in performance.
The years 2003/2004 saw a selection of very successful courses, bringing specialist teachers renowned from both the musical world and the Alexander world to the school (see previous courses). Each of the music courses concluded with various informal public performances in different locations throughout the region of La Taha.
AMS within the local community
As AMS has evolved over the last couple of years, it has become clear that, in addition to hosting various courses, it can begin to play a much greater part in the cultural and economic life of those resident in Las Alpujarras. This is one of the most financially deprived areas in Europe, traditionally an agricultural community, and now with high levels of unemployment and low levels of income. The director of AMS, Cat Jary, and co-founder, Steve Forrest, are well aware that they are foreigners within a small community, but hope that by fostering an environment of learning, and bringing together musicians and performers, it will enrich the area, both culturally and economically. Since its inception, AMS has been very keen to become part of the local community, supporting local businesses such as holiday-lets, hotels, B&Bs, shops, restaurants, cafés and bars. In addition this gives AMS visitors the opportunity to experience the Alpujarran culture, way of life and warm hospitality.
AMS is respectful of being both newcomers and outsiders, and has been grateful for the levels of local interest in and support for its activities and projects. The goodwill and friendliness of the local people has been shown time and again in so many ways, whether transporting musicians, carrying chairs, doing publicity campaigns, and showing an overall warmth and generosity through their offering of drinks, meals, parties and extensive hospitality.
‘Music for the Mountains’ – what a crazy idea!
When Cat first started telling the Town Hall and local people that she envisaged bringing Classical musicians to the Alpujarras and putting on concerts, she was greeted with scepticism, amusement, surprise and curiosity. Many of the local population cannot read or write, and have never attended a concert in their lives. As the first series of concerts drew near, the Town Hall was encouraging, giving Cat help and support with transport, publicity, hiring chairs and offering hospitality to the visiting musicians.
Cat knew it was a bit of a gamble, but took the view that if people didn’t like it she wouldn’t do it again. Midway through the first week of the “The Tempest in La Taha”, a series of String Quartet concerts, audiences of between 75 and 200 people were coming to the concerts. At this point Cat realised AMS was at a stage she wouldn’t have expected to reach for at least another ten years, regularly holding concerts throughout La Taha.
The overwhelming local enthusiasm for the concerts run by AMS, has resulted in the launching of ‘Music in the Mountains’, a regular season of mainly Classical concerts throughout the area. The Town Hall of La Taha, based in Pitres, has initiated a collaboration with AMS to organise concerts as part of their cultural programme. The aim is to provide a variety of high quality events, which will be both financially feasible and of interest to the local population, bringing musicians to perform from all over Europe.
Each of the concerts which has taken place so far has created its own unique atmosphere, and at all of them the audience has been spellbound, showing their appreciation for the visiting musicians, some moved to tears by the combined power of music and idyllic settings. Whether listening to music sitting in a tree, on the steps of the village square, or on one of the chairs provided by the Town Hall for the occasion, at sunset on the threshing circle near Ferreirola, or as part of the audience overflowing into the street outside Carlos’ piano bar, each is an unforgettable experience.
The residents of La Taha are getting used to spending their evenings at concerts, and whenever they meet Cat always ask “So where’s the music tonight then?”
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