Blog post kindly written by Suzannah Rose.

There’s nothing quite like a piano festival (or course as the Brits call it!): a supportive community of pianists, all coming together to improve their skills, cheer each other on, and most importantly, enjoy making music. It’s an experience like no other, and in a competitive music world, it’s a beautiful thing to have a space where competition isn’t the name of the game; a space where pianists can come together to feel supported and to connect with the music that inspired them to play the piano in the first place. 

You might wonder if it’s worth it to travel long-distance for a piano festival – but many would say that traveling for a piano festival is part of what makes the experience unique. Not only are you getting to meet other pianists, you’re expanding your world. In the cosy setting of Finchcocks, you’ll have the chance to explore the lovely English countryside and play a wide variety of distinctive pianos from a beautiful collection. In 2022, I traveled nearly 5,000 miles from Utah to Finchcocks, and was delighted and refreshed by the beautiful, peaceful scenery and warm English hospitality.

Traveling long-distance for a piano festival gives you the chance to take a step back from your normal routine and environment, giving you a space to fully immerse yourself in music and in honing your craft. No distractions, no obligations – just music, in a peaceful countryside setting. Being away from your normal routine in a setting like this is the perfect space to allow new motivation to grow and inspiration to take root. 

Plus, spending time in a space away from home reserved only for music can change the way you practice and listen. Not only are distractions minimized, you’ll be surrounded by others who are having the same musical experience, exchanging ideas, inspiration, and repertoire in real time. The community at Finchcocks is truly an indispensable part of the experience. After all, at its heart, Finchcocks is about sharing a genuine love of music.