2023 sees the addition of three very different 5-day courses for advanced pianists. The first is dedicated especially (but not exclusively) to those preparing for a diploma performance, providing a concentrated boost for those attending - to study, practise, polish and improve performance skills and experience. Preparing for a diploma or special performance is an...
A course devoted to the most luxurious and indulgent of piano repertoire - exploring the romantics! This exciting period spans from mid-Beethoven to Rachmaninov (and beyond) and encapsulates an enormous amount of piano music. We are spoiled for choice, as anything from a gentle John Field Nocturne, or Schubert Impromptu, to a Brahms Rhapsody, Liszt...
We are thrilled to be welcoming back concert pianist and keynote speaker Professor William Westney, as part of his visit to the UK, in this year's programme. His 2022 visit was extremely special for all involved so we can't wait for more! This weekend course, for upper intermediate to advanced level pianists, focuses on musical...
From healthy technique to natural artistry, we welcome back extremely popular Professor of Piano and award winning author of the Complete Pianist Penelope Roskell. In this weekend course, pianists will have the opportunity to receive expert guidance on their current repertoire, both from a technical and an artistic point of view. Penelope is the UK's...
Our Lower Intermediate weekends are some of the first to sell out here at Finchcocks. Ideal for rusty piano returners or those who have discovered a new passion as an adult, the weekend is perfect for established beginners - grade 2 - through to about grade 4. Some adults aren't keen on exams and may...
We are very excited to welcome British classical concert pianist and composer Beatrice Nicholas for a weekend of musical exploration, inspiration and discussion on the theme of Black Renaissance Music for piano. Beatrice enjoys an international career as a solo concert pianist, performing works by Bach through to the present day, with notable performances at...
We know advanced pianists will be absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to spend five days learning from and being inspired by the inimitable Florian Mitrea. Below, he describes his plan for the Finchcocks 2023 summer school course for advanced pianists. Our 5-day courses are a well established highlight of the Finchcocks calendar. To ensure...
Our 5-day summer schools are a well established highlight of the Finchcocks calendar. To ensure a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere, places are open to those who have attended at least one weekend Finchcocks course previously. This 5-day piano retreat for intermediate players offers pianists grades around grades 4 to 7, the chance to fully emerse...
Spoil yourself with five whole days dedicated to the piano. This performance focussed course will give you the opportunity for total immersion in ‘all-things-piano’ across the week, covering technique, posture, memorising, practising, improvising, performing and much more. Group workshops will be complimented by one-to-one sessions and masterclasses with a range of opportunities to play, perform,...
Back by very popular demand, this will be our fifth Chopin weekend here at Finchcocks with Warren Mailley-Smith. Chopin's lyrical and elegant Nocturnes and Preludes are firm favourites with our intermediate and advanced players, and so we're very excited to announce the return of our very popular first composer-specific weekend. We're incredibly lucky to have...
International concert pianist, piano teacher, ABRSM examiner and well-loved Finchcocks tutor Florian Mitrea offers a wonderful weekend exploring healthy technique and performance. Guests will gain a deeper understanding of learning through studies, exercises, scales and arpeggios, as well as the art of performance within an exam/ judged setting. This course is aimed at those playing...
Explore the four main eras of Western classical music with a 5-day course dedicated to the unique style and technique required to deliver a stylistically true performance in each. Do you love playing Chopin, but lack confidence to play Mozart? Would you love the challenge of learning a Baroque piece when you usually stick to...
This course is designed for classically trained pianists (Intermediate – Advanced) who would love to delve into or brush up on their jazz and blues skills! David Hall (FRCO, MA Cantab) will help you combine solid piano technique, aural skills and jazz and blues music theory to help you explore a sound world perhaps different...
International concert pianist, piano teacher, ABRSM examiner and well-loved Finchcocks tutor Florian Mitrea offers a wonderful weekend exploring healthy technique and performance. Guests will gain a deeper understanding of learning through studies, exercises, scales and arpeggios, as well as the art of performance within an exam/ judged setting. This course is aimed at those playing...
Fancy a UK based, luxury weekend away in a grade 1 listed country manor, surrounded by grand pianos? Our piano retreat is designed for anyone who just wants a weekend away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It would suit those who want a bit of time away to practise, or to fall...
Come, emerse yourself in the sound world of one of the most significant composers of Western classical music! In this mixed ability course dedicated to the music of Beethoven, Graham Fitch will guide you in exploring the physical, emotional and intellectual challenges of the music, paying particular attention to the interpretation of the numerous markings...
It has long been requested - a weekend dedicated to duets (and accompanying!). Aimed at Upper Intermediate - Advanced players, pianists can sign up for the course with an existing duet partner, or be paired with one after registering. Music will be sent in advance so that pieces are performance ready for the course! Run by David...
Fancy a UK based, luxury weekend away in a grade 1 listed country manor, surrounded by grand pianos? Our piano retreat is designed for anyone who just wants a weekend away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It would suit those who want a bit of time away to practise, or to fall...
Many players ascribe problems they are having in their playing to faulty technique, when how they are practising might be the root cause. Since how we practise is actually a part of technique, it is helpful to have concrete strategies for learning notes, solving problems, finessing our playing and preparing for performance. In this 3-day...
This 3-day course is designed for people who have made a good start at the piano and got to between grade 2 and grade 4 standard. It's ideal for players keen to return to the piano after a gap of a few years, or indeed for anyone practising regularly working up through the grades. Tuition...
We are delighted to be offering a course with brilliantly talented keyboard player and Early Keyboard Consultant to the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and Royal Welsh Colleges, Steven Devine. During this weekend course Keyboard Music from the Baroque, Steven Devine will explore this incredibly fertile period of keyboard music, looking at style, technique, repertoire and instruments. Although...
A course devoted to the most luxurious and indulgent of piano repertoire - Exploring the Romantics! This exciting period spans from mid-Beethoven to Rachmaninov (and beyond) and encapsulates an enormous amount of piano music. We are spoiled for choice, as anything from a gentle John Field Nocturne or Schubert Impromptu, to a Brahms Rhapsody, Liszt...
22981|https://finchcocksstg.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Graham-demonstrating-1024x768.jpg|large 2024 offers Advanced pianists three very different 5-day courses to choose from. The first is dedicated especially (but not exclusively) to those preparing for a diploma or special performance, providing a concentrated boost for those attending - to study, practise, polish and improve performance skills and experience. 22984|https://finchcocksstg.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Graham-and-Daire-1024x768.jpg|large Preparing for a diploma or special...
15202|https://finchcocksstg.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/IMG_3122-1024x682.jpg|large A weekend devoted to exploring ideas for improvisation at the piano - which, for the busy or practice-challenged pianist - requires no preparation. Improvisation is great fun in any style. In fact it used to be a mainstay of musical education. Handel, Bach, Mozart and many others were famous for their improvisations, many of...
Dealing with nerves is something players at every level have to deal with, even advanced players. Perhaps even moreso! During this weekend course, we will compare the difference between playing to yourself and playing to other people, and how an awareness of these inherent differences can be channelled to improve your confidence when performing. We...
We are thrilled to be welcoming concert pianist, writer, lecturer, teacher and leading authority in Debussy Paul Roberts to lead this 3-day course. Paul Roberts is an exceptional musician, a fine and deeply sensitive pianist, teacher and an author of the greatest distinction. His books on Debussy and Ravel are quite simply the most outstanding...
We are thrilled to welcome one of the UK's most successful and prolific music educators and composers, Pam Wedgwood to Finchcocks to lead a course for our Intermediate players! An inspiration for teachers and pupils alike, Pam Wedgwood has been a staple diet for young musicians throughout the world for almost twenty years. Composer of...
24557|https://www.finchcocks.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Dave-at-the-Bosendorfer-1024x683.jpg|large A weekend dedicated to sight-reading which, for the busy or practice-challenged pianist, requires no preparation at all! Why do we always talk about aural tests and sight-reading tests? Finchcocks musical director David Hall advocates a systematic approach to sight-reading that does not involve weekly high-pressure tests. He believes that sight-reading should feel more like curling up on...
Playing from memory can be liberating, but it also has its potential pitfalls. Whether you want to strengthen your ability and confidence to perform from memory, or learn your pieces on a deeper level but end up playing from the score, this course will provide you with a number of tried and tested ideas, strategies and methods that will...
We know advanced pianists will be absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to spend five days learning from and being inspired by the inimitable Florian Mitrea. Below, he describes his plan for the Finchcocks 2024 summer school course for advanced pianists (beyond grade 8, preparing for - or at - diploma standard, or higher). Our...
We thought it was high time our upper intermediate players had the opportunity to study with the wonderful Graham Fitch for five whole days! This summer piano retreat offers pianists grade 6 - approaching 8 the chance to fully emerse themselves in all that Finchcocks has to offer. The course aims to provide a luxury...
Our 5-day summer schools are a well established highlight of the Finchcocks calendar. To ensure a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere, priority is given to those who have attended at least one weekend Finchcocks course previously. This 5-day piano retreat for intermediate players offers pianists grades around grades 4 to 6, the chance to fully emerse...
Our 5-day summer schools sold out in record time this year! So, by popular demand, we've added one more! And this one is different. This is our most relaxed 5-day course ever and a pianist's dream Finchcocks stay: a 5-day 5-star Piano Holiday! This extended piano retreat offers the chance to spend mornings at the...
Fancy a UK based, luxury weekend away in a grade 1 listed country manor, surrounded by grand pianos? Our piano retreat is designed for anyone who just wants a weekend away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It would suit those who want a bit of time away to practise, or to fall...
One of the great musical dynasties, the Bach family arguably produced some of the finest musicians ever. Although the name Bach for most people refers to Johann Sebastian, there were many others in the family line, including three of his sons who developed and changed musical style. We are delighted to be offering a second...
