5-day Advanced Autumn School with William Westney

This autumn, we are delighted to welcome back concert pianist, keynote speaker, educator and author of best-selling books The Perfect Wrong Note (2003) and Eros at the Piano (2023) William Westney to Finchcocks.

Advanced pianists will have the great priviledge of learning from US-based piano pedagogue, spending five days focussed on confidence and freedom within piano performance. Below, he describes his plan for the Finchcocks 2026 autumn school course for Advanced pianists (beyond grade 8, preparing for – or at – diploma standard, or higher).

Our 5-day courses are a well established highlight of the Finchcocks calendar. To ensure a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere – and that guests are on the appropriate course for their playing level – places are open to those who have attended at least one weekend Finchcocks course previously.

“One of great things about piano playing is that when it feels good – with flowing, comfortable technique – it tends to sound good too! At the same time we want lots of technical security. Bartok’s brilliant Mikrokosmos series is a uniquely effective gold mine for achieving all of these goals. In addition to learning how to get the greatest benefit from Bartok’s all-level method, participants will also have plenty of opportunity to be coached on their own repertoire pieces throughout the week.“

Like our weekend courses, formal tuition takes place in workshops, performance classes and one-to-one lessons. Workshops begin with a deep-dive into Bartok’s brilliantly progressive set of piano miniatures, providing inspiration on both technique and musical imagination.

• Workshop 1: Bartok’s Mikrokosmos – how to mine its special riches
• Workshop 2: Mikrokosmos – continued
• Workshop 3: The Perils of Pianissimo
• Workshop 4: Technique Clinic: bring all your questions! 

In preparation for the course, please bring with you a variety of repertoire pieces, whether totally learned or still “in process.” And of course, familiarise yourself somewhat with books 1 – 4 of Mikrokosmos!

As usual, everyone will have access to their own grand piano for the week including our new Steinway, and have plenty of time to practise in our vaulted piano cellar.

We’ll also plan in some downtime for you! Weather permitting, we’ll exploring the private gardens at Finchcocks, discover the beautiful Kentish countryside or exploring nearby Scotney Castle.

And of course, it goes without saying that you can expect the usual!

Guests will:

• Have the chance to play in and observe multiple performance masterclasses.
• Will receive one-to-one lessons with Florian.
• Enjoy access to play on our 9 grand pianos anytime between 7am and 8pm. (There are enough pianos to go round that everyone can play a piano at any given time.)
• Experience a salon-style recital-talk performed by William exclusively for guests.
• Have the chance to take part in a recital on the Bosendorfer in the main hall of the family home.
• Join and socialise with a group 8 fellow piano enthusiasts during lunch and dinner.
• Dine in style with lunches and three course dinners prepared by our fabulous chef.
• Experience the Finchcocks bubble, hailed as a “paradise for pianists” by BBC Music Magazine and stay in a grade 1 listed country manor.

Plus ones are very welcome on our courses, with a room surcharge dependant on whether they are a playing or non-playing guest. Please ask for further details.

This is a unique, luxury UK-based piano gem and an experience that you won’t forget anytime soon. Many guests continue friendships made on these courses, encouraging each other on in the piano playing on Whatsapp, organising private piano meet ups further down the line… and bumping into each other again on future courses!

For booking enquiries, please fill in the form below.