Elite Music Camps Ltd Reviews 158

I had a wonderful holiday as a non player, relaxing by the pool in the sunshine, whilst my husband enjoyed taking part in Tom’s course. Johnny and Angie are the kindest, most welcoming hosts, their beautiful villa and the delicious food was even better than I’d hoped it would be. Tom and everyone on the course were really friendly to me, there was a lovely atmosphere and it was brilliant to see everyone’s improvement in their playing, thanks to Tom’s expert tuition. We had free time to explore the area, our trip to the Alhambra in Grenada was amazing. My husband and I both had a fun and relaxing time, definitely recommended even if you’re a non player. We’ll both be back!

I have recently returned from the most amazing week at Tom Hutchinsons Cornet Camp at Johnny Thirkells villa in the Sierra Nevada foothills! What can I say! From the moment we arrived we were all made to feel so welcome like a home from home. The cornet tuition was fabulous and catered for all our needs based on our questionairres. Johnny and his lovely wife Angie were so kind and welcoming. The board basis was all inclusive and the beer, wine and soft drinks were available plus tea coffee etc at all times. The delegates started as strangers and left as friends! We all learnt so much from Tom, had lovely weather and enjoyed some time in Granada too at a lovely restaurant overlooking the Al ahambra palace. As a cornet player, if you ever get the chance then please sign up as you will not regret it..I know I will be going next year too and cannot wait!

Just returned home from an amazing week at the Tom Hutchinson Cornet Camp in the Andalusian mountains in Spain organised by Elite Music Camps Johnny Thirkell. It’s been a fantastic week of exceptional training and new friendships. Was great to be immersed in cornet playing during the day, then spend time relaxing with great food and company in the evenings.

Well done Tom and Johnny, an experience not to be missed. Looking forward to the next one already.

Anthony

This was an absolutely brilliant experience! Johnny and Angie were amazing hosts and the location and food was excellent. The way the music camp was structured and the focus and emphasis on continuous and inclusive learning was expertly constructed and delivered by Tom Hutchinson. I thoroughly recommend this to players of all abilities it is one of the best musical /holiday experiences I have ever had.

I’m so glad we booked on the cornet camp. Firstly, the villa is beautiful and the location stunning. Johnny and Angie made us both feel so welcome and nothing was too much trouble. The food was delicious and they catered for gluten free brilliantly.
The camp was well balanced between cornet sessions and free/tourist time. Johnny led an amazing walk which was well worth the effort for the stunning views. The restaurant we all ate at in Granada was exceptional.
It is hard to put into words just how much my daughter and I learnt from Tom. We had a mix of group warm ups, rehearsals and one on one lessons. With only 6 cornets the sessions were informal and everyone supported each other. Tom had structured the week to provide a great balance and I can’t begin to explain how much knowledge and information he shared. Tom was so patient and really took the time to help each of us improve and gave us individual plans to work on moving forwards.
One of the highlights for me was at the end of the week when we each performed a piece. As true brass banders, everyone supported each other. My daughter had the opportunity to play a duet with Tom which was an amazing experience for her. The icing on the cake was hearing Tom and Johnny perform - wow!
So if you are hesitating on whether to book on the cornet camp I can only say you will have the most amazing experience and you will make some friends along the way! We certainly want to book again next year.

All aspects of the Horn Camp were absolutely first class.
From the start the tuition by the legends Snake and Johnny to a novice player like me was remarkable, as you would expect learning from the best, and soon quelled my initial nervousness.
Johnny's house, the food and hospitality was brilliant with everything catered for.
My fellow camp students and the non playing partners made the week even better and the discussions and banter in the evening was a great experience and will definitely be keeping in contact with them all.
The mid week Gorge Walk is an experience not to be missed.
The whole aspect of musical tuition / holiday experience is not to be missed and I hope to return to demonstrate to Snake and Johnny the progress that can be achieved through their expert skills and experience.

The horn camp experience with Johnny and Snake provides an opportunity to learn from the very best in the business.
The beautiful villa is set in stunning surroundings where all your possible needs are amply catered for. The accommodation and food is first class.
I was able to take my first steps into a new world of ear training and improvising.
My musical goals have now changed but I feel confident that I have been provided with the understanding, practice techniques and direction in order to achieve them.
Whatever your musical ability or goal I would highly recommend this course.

I came with my Dad to develop my guitar playing and had a really great experience, met lots of friendly people and I learnt so much *****

Rob is really nice and such a great teacher.
Five stars from me, aged 13.

The guitar camp is fantastic. Rob is a consummate gentleman, a gifted musician and a highly skilled inspiring and patient teacher. Rob gently explores ideas with you and subtly finds the boundaries of your knowledge and helps you think about how to push beyond your current level, whatever level that is. I took away far more than I ever hoped to, and the advice, stories and insights into the industry are both fascinating and useful.

Johnny is a great and entertaining host and the venue and food is top notch. Thoroughly recommend giving this a go!

A dream break for any musician, whatever the standard. Well organised, great hosts, great location, great food, and importantly a fantastic musical experience.
The guitar week was exceptional. The sessions were purposeful and run with enthusiasm and understanding in equal measure, from a musician with many years of experience at the very highest level.
I took home far more from this week than I had hoped for, or expected.
Dont leave it to a bucket list event- jump in and give it a go.

What an experience!

If you want to life a week where it’s all about the love of your instrument, guided by two inspiring men (Johnny and Rob in my case) and want to enjoy the amazing Spain in an amazing house where everything is cared of from A to Z, don’t hesitate and just go for it.

Blessed with al the information and lovely contacts I’ve made the last week, so big thanks to Rob and especially Johnny for the amazing hospitality!

Big cheers and see you next year.

Greetings from Belgium!
Jan

Horn Camp was an outstanding experience. Snake and Johnny are wonderfully welcoming and encouraging. The whole week is brilliantly organised from the efficient airport pickups to daily jam sessions and a visit to Granada. The musical advice and support is world class - everyone improved noticeably in the week from new beginners to advanced players. The food was fab and there is time to take a break and enjoy it as a holiday too. 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟

Ah what can I say! Elite Music Camp was one of the best experiences of my life, where do I start! Everything about it was just brilliant, the tuition, the food, the environment, the whole vibe, Johnny and Snake were so welcoming, funny and encouraging, I enjoyed it so much that i’m gonna go again next year! 😃

A beautiful villa nestling in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, local cuisine freshly presented each day, the June blue skies and heat of southern Spain and hospitality just as warm - oh, and expert tuition from two of the sax and trumpet greats - what is not to like?
An exceptionally enjoyable and profitable week with great company. Snake and Johnny could not have been more accommodating hosts and tutors, creating a stimulating yet relaxing musical environment. Formal teaching and discussion sessions were complemented by plenty of informal chat and sharing of anecdote. And the company of supportive fellow-students enriched the whole experience enormously.
My wife was the student here and, as a relative beginner, she was fully supported and encouraged and will have benefited greatly on her saxophone journey.
I was one of two non-playing partners and very much enjoyed the week.
I should add that we wisely chose not to join the long hike for mobility reasons. It was fully enjoyed by others and Johnny kindly gave us a lift into Granada as an alternative for the afternoon.
Altogether a great opportunity you won’t want to miss!

What can you expect from a bass camp...especially when one of your bass heros is involved...?

Not only is Paul an incredible bass player, he is also an outstanding teacher. Being able to improve my weaknesses and strengths. Besides being the teacher, he is also a really nice guy to hang out with!

Johnny is great host. He makes sure everything is all fine and gives you a feeling that you are welcome.

During diner, Paul and Johnny also join. This leads to the greatest stories and the funniest jokes.

Together with a group of lovely bass players, for me this experience was beyond expectations.

I just finished my second Bass camp with Paul Turner, who is an incredible bass player and also an awesome bass teacher. Before the camp started, I was asked to fill out a questionnaire regarding my bass playing goals and (during the one-on-one lessons which are part of the program) Paul was able to adapt exactly to my expectations and motivated me to learn even more. The bass camp is located near the beautiful Sierra Nevada and is organized by the famous trumpet player Johnny Thirkell who is a fantastic host and is caring for the group in any detail. In addition to this, we visited Grenada, had a walk through the beautiful environment, delicious meals and shared unbelievable stories in the evening.
It needs more than words to describe the atmosphere of this wonderful event and I am still flashed.

I was here at the bass camp for the second time, and it was another incredibly inspiring wonderful week.

The mixture of groups and individual lessons, and practicing by my own, relaxing and spending time with new friends is brilliant.

Paul is a fantastic teacher, helped me a lot to implement my own ideas. He helped me also to improve my game and showed me with his friendly way what I can do better.

Johnny ist the best host ever and organized all what we wanted included the hike, the tour to Granada and so on.

Thank you very much for being able to be there again!

Johnny, Paul and the team couldn’t have provided a better experience. Bass sessions as a group, with individual follow ups. Amazing location. Fantastic catering. Time to chill and/or practice. Opportunity explore the local area with a hike and to see Granada for dinner. Lovely bunch of bass loving people - and four female bassist under one roof!

I have to admit I was apprehensive about how good the week would be. It exceeded all my expectations.

Paul is an incredible teacher and humble genius. All content was adapted to suit each players level. I hadn’t played for 6 years, and Paul matched my level perfectly. He provided consistent positive reinforcement and tips on improving techniques. It was truly enlightening to watch others approach in a group setting too.

Johnny was an immaculate host, who provided insights into the realities of the music industry and had loads of thrilling stories from his incredible career to inspire the group! Again, for someone with so many incredible accolades, Johnny couldn’t have been more humble, thoughtful and welcoming.

I’ve come away feeling super privileged, excited and confident. Can’t think of a better outcome and I will be looking to join again next year.

Thank you so much!

Amazing hospitality, incredible food and drink, lovely people, useful and engaging lessons.

An amazing way to spend a week with lots of laughs.

I can’t honestly think of a better way to boost your musical skills than by being guided by, and following, masters. Both Snake and Johnny have walked the talk in the pop/jazz world we all know and love at the highest level.
This combined with their warmth and down to earth friendliness made the week a pure joy.
It’ll be challenging - advancement can be - but it will be fun, in a safe environment.
Accommodation and food was spot on - huge thanks to Johnny and Angie for sharing their beautiful home in Monachil.

Inspirational. Fun. Great people.