Having Graham Fitch on our staff, it seemed too good an opportunity to miss scheduling a weekend of Baroque and Bach! Graham studied harpsichord as a second instrument with Ruth Dyson at the Royal College of Music, and was runner-up in the intercollegiate harpsichord competition, The Raymond Russell Prize in 1981. Thereafter he was awarded...
21298|https://finchcocksstg.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Florian-10-1024x681.jpg|large 5 DAY AUTUMN COURSE WITH FLORIAN MITREA In this course, Florian Mitrea will teach the pianists to produce their most beautiful sound by marrying technique with expressivity: "I will always match my artistic suggestions with possible technical means to achieve them, not in a prescriptive way, but rather in a manner that will give...
This course is designed for classically trained pianists (intermediate - advanced) who would love to delve into or brush up on their jazz skills! David Hall (FRCO, MA Cantab) will help you combine solid piano technique, aural skills and jazz music theory to help you explore a sound world perhaps different to the one you...
This course is designed for people who would like to brush up on their music theory. It will aim to cover the major topics found in the ABRSM grade 5 theory syllabus. But unlike ploughing through a book on your own, our tutor - David Hall (FRCO, MA Cantab) - will show you how music theory can be...
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 secured the services of Warren Mailley-Smith for this course. In 2016, Warren became the first British pianist to...
This course is designed for people who are now confident in the basics of the piano, want to deepen learning before trying an Upper Intermediate course or grade, and who are between or around grades 4 and 6 standard. It's ideal for players keen to return to the piano after a gap of a few...
Fancy a UK based, luxury weekend away in a grade 1 listed country manor, surrounded by 9 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...
Preparing for a diploma can feel like a large mountain to climb, and a lonely one as a pianist! Many of our advanced pianist guests are keen amateurs setting themselves a performance goal of a diploma to work towards. This weekend course is dedicated especially to those needing some extra tools to help them along...
Chopin; where he came from, and where he went! - an exploration of some of the music that led to what we call the ‘Chopinesque’. Many consider Chopin to be a composer who stands alone in music history and indeed piano repertoire - a beautiful melancholic enigma almost in a genre of his own. In...
This course, run by Finchcocks Musical Director David Hall, is ideal for anybody who wants to develop their keyboard skills of harmonisation, composition and improvisation in a classical style It is a mixed ability course, aimed at the intermediate to advanced pianist. Grade 5 theory standard would also be helpful. Rather than the usual performance...
Our Upper Intermediate - Advanced weekend course is designed for pianists grades 6-8+. Whether you're a grade 8 player in need of a confidence boost, a former advanced player who has gotten a little rusty, or an accomplished upper intermediate player looking for a challenge, this is the one for you! Tutor for the weekend...
Beethoven's 250th birthday celebrations last year were a bit of a washout, so we're keeping the party going! In this 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 for dynamics...
15202|https://finchcocksstg.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/IMG_3122-1024x682.jpg|large Many of us played the piano whilst at school, but didn't get quite as far as we'd hoped. Some of us missed out entirely. This course is designed for adult pianists returning to the piano after a gap of a few years (or decades!). It would also suit anyone who has recently taken up...
We are thrilled to be hosting concert pianist and keynote speaker Professor William Westney, as part of his visit to the UK, in this year's programme. This weekend course, for upper intermediate to advanced level pianists, focuses on musical communication, physical enjoyment, and addressing technical challenges in a healthy way. Principles from Dr. Westney’s best-selling...
In this course, with Professor of Piano Penelope Roskell, 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 foremost specialist in healthy piano playing, and she will share with the group how to put many of the...
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...
This course, run by Finchcocks Musical Director David Hall, is ideal for anybody who wants to develop their keyboard skills of improvisation, harmonisation and transposition. It is aimed at all abilities of piano player, but would best suit the intermediate pianist - from Lower Intermediate to Upper Intermediate. Why study music theory and harmony? You...
Our Intermediate weekend course is designed for pianists around grades 4-6 standard. It's a chance to improve on technique, hone your performance and playing style and deepen your musicianship, all in the company of 7 other piano enthusiasts who are likely to share in any nerves you may have! The driving mood of a weekend...
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 advanced players offers pianists grade 8, diploma and beyond, the chance to fully emerse themselves...
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...
This weekend course is designed for pianists who are playing at or above grade 8 standard, working towards a diploma or beyond. It is also suitable for music graduates and piano teachers who would like a refresher boost of inspiration! We are delighted to be welcoming back to Finchcocks Steinway Artist, Associate Professor-Lecturer of Music...
Back by very popular demand, this will be our fourth 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...
23070|https://finchcocksstg.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Nemiah-2-1024x768.jpg|large The piano music of the French impressionists has a special place in the development of any pianist’s repertoire. The music of Debussy, Satie and Ravel in particular calls for very special control of tone, texture, colour and use of pedal. The amazing scope of musical pictures painted by these composers calls for a course...
Beyond Stage Fright – Tackling performance nerves is designed for upper intermediate to advanced players, those working towards grade 8 standard or a performance diploma. It is also suitable for piano teachers. Running the weekend is the incredibly knowledgeable, encouraging and warm Charlotte Tomlinson. A specialist, international speaker on the topic, and a pianist herself,...
Our Intermediate weekend course is designed for pianists around grades 4-6 standard. It's a chance to improve on technique, hone your performance and playing style and deepen your musicianship, all in the company of 7 other piano enthusiasts who are likely to share in any nerves you may have! The driving mood of a weekend...
This weekend course is designed for pianists who are playing at or above grade 8 standard, working towards a diploma or beyond. It is also suitable for music graduates and piano teachers who would like a refresher boost of inspiration! Run by the ever popular Graham Fitch, these courses sell out quickly. As well as...
This course is designed for classically trained pianists (intermediate - advanced) who would love to delve into or brush up on their jazz skills! David Hall (FRCO, MA Cantab) will help you combine solid piano technique, aural skills and jazz music theory to help you explore a sound world perhaps different to the one you...
15202|https://finchcocksstg.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/IMG_3122-1024x682.jpg|large Many of us played the piano whilst at school, but didn't get quite as far as we'd hoped. Some of us missed out entirely. This course is designed for adult pianists returning to the piano after a gap of a few years (or decades!). It would also suit anyone who has recently taken up...
Fancy a UK based, luxury weekend away in a grade 1 listed country manor, surrounded by 9 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...
Our Upper Intermediate weekend course is designed for pianists grades 5-8. Whether you're a confident grade 5 level player, or a grade 8 player in need of a confidence boost when it comes to performing, this is the one for you! Tutor for the weekend is the wonderful Graham Fitch. Graham is interested in helping...
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...
It's not often we are able to schedule a weekend for Intermediate players with internationally renowned pianist, piano teacher and practice guru Graham Fitch. But we were determined to do so for 2023! Aimed at grades 4-6, the weekend course offers an insight into efficient and effective ways to practise a piece and achieve long-lasting,...
Visit Finchcocks and leave with your own 32-bar piece - or song! This unique course, run by the incomparable David Hall FRCO and author of There's more to playing the piano, will explore all the ingredients you need to get composing, and leave with your own creation. The weekend will revolve around four interactive workshops,...
We are delighted to welcome back the 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 early Baroque, Steven Devine will explore this incredibly fertile period of keyboard music, looking at style, technique, repertoire and instruments. Although intended...
International concert pianist, piano teacher, ABRSM examiner and well-loved Finchcocks tutor Florian Mitrea offers a wonderful weekend exploring healthy technique, deeper learning through memorisation, and the art of performance for our Upper Intermediate pianists. This course is aimed at those playing at around grade 6-8. 21330|https://www.finchcocks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/IMG_6341_ERC-1024x682.jpg|large The weekend will comprise of two interactive workshops and...
