Talks and Special Events
Throughout the year, West Dean College programmes exciting talks and special events alongside its Concerts and Short Courses
Saturday Afternoon Music Lectures
Music for the Moving Image: Films, TV and Advertising
October 17, 2.30 - 5pm
£11 (inc. tea)
Suitable for all
An afternoon lecture demonstrating composing dramatically effective film scores and exploring the mad, bad world of music for TV adverts.
STEPHEN BAYSTED
How to Listen to Music with Greater Perception
November 13, 2.30 - 5pm
£12 (inc. tea)
A fascinating afternoon with international conductor John Gibbons, Principal Conductor of Worthing Symphony Orchestra. Musical examples abound, as well as humour, discussion and thought-provoking analysis and comment. Perfect for anyone intrigued by classical music!
JOHN GIBBONS
A Conductor's Ear on Listening
March 5, 2.30 - 5pm
£12 (inc. tea)
A thought-provoking look at how we listen to music – including the historical perspective together with contemporary trends and possible new ventures in the future. This afternoon illustrated talk and discussion, suitable for newcomers to classical music and experienced listeners, aims to enhance appreciation of the structure and subtleties of major classical works.
JOHN GIBBONS
Gold and Silver – The Life and Music of Lehar Lehár
March 27, 2.30 - 5pm
£12 (inc. tea)
From the sparkling gaiety of pre-1914 ‘The Merry Widow’ to the tragic sensuality of his later works, Franz Lehár greatly enriched the operetta repertoire, but he also wrote sonatas, symphonic poems, marches and waltzes. Using musical and visual illustrations we examine his fascinating life.
IAN GLEDHILL
An Audience with ...
An Audience with ... Peter James
Novelist and broadcaster Kate Mosse will chairs this Audience with ... the best-selling Brighton-based thriller writer Peter James.
Friday 24 September, 8.30pm to 9.30pm, £12
Venue: Sussex Barn Auditorium (please use Gardens entrance)
An Audience with ... Lady Antonia Fraser
Novelist and broadcaster Kate Mosse will chairs this Audience with ... eminent biographer, crime novelist and now diarist, Lady Antonia Fraser.
Saturday 25 September, 8.30pm to 9.30pm, £12
Venue: Sussex Barn Auditorium (please use Gardens entrance)
An Audience with ... Michael Morpurgo
Novelist and broadcaster Kate Mosse will chairs this Audience with ... one of the most successful children's authors in the country and former Children's Laureate, Michael Morpurgo.
Sunday 26 September, 2pm to 3pm, £12
Venue: Sussex Barn Auditorium (please use Gardens entrance)
Saturday Garden Lectures
Book or find out more about Gardening Courses here
Extend the season with grasses and perennials - 18 September 2010
Course code: GL1418 Price:£56 Tutor: Marina Christopher and Neil Lucas
Late summer interest in the garden can be difficult to achieve if you select the wrong plants. Discover how to extend the season and make the garden look wonderful with gorgeous grasses and long-lasting perennials. Whilst providing interest for many insects, especially bees, well into the autumn months.
Extend the season with grasses and perennials - 18 September 2010
Course code: GL1418 Price:£56 Tutor: Marina Christopher and Neil Lucas
Late summer interest in the garden can be difficult to achieve if you select the wrong plants. Discover how to extend the season and make the garden look wonderful with gorgeous grasses and long-lasting perennials. Whilst providing interest for many insects, especially bees, well into the autumn months.
Rain gardens – managing water sustainably in the landscape - 5 February 2011
Course code: GL1707 Price: £59 Tutor: Nigel Dunnett
Rain Gardens are a hot topic in the USA but yet to make a real impact here. They offer the opportunity for gardeners and designers to respond to the challenges of climate change. This movement aims to integrate buildings with the landscape or garden, whilst capturing, storing, cleaning and returning to the soil as much rainfall as possible. Explore how rain gardens may be applicable to your own garden.
Crûg Farm Plants – extraordinary tales of modern day plant hunting - 16 April 2011
Course code: GL1856 Price: £59 Tutor: Bleddyn Wynn-Jones
Bleddyn and his wife Sue travel to remote parts of the world to collect rare and unusual plants for their nursery; their collections are much sought after around the world. Bleddyn will talk about their expeditions to Taiwan and Vietnam and explain how they have scaled mountains and volcanoes, explored hidden canyons and dodged armed bandits to seek out elusive specimens.
Saturday Garden Lecture price includes tea and coffee and lunch.
10am - 3pm.
