Has anyone been to this before? It sounds fantastic & I'd love to know what it's really like.

I've been for the last four years. It's absolutely fantastic. The teachers they get there for the week are amazing including Noriko Ogawa, Peter Donohoe and Bernard Roberts. Philip Fowke is on the faculty for this year and there are many other internationally acclaimed pianists who will be there.

It is an amazing experience and I would recommend it to anyone.

It is absolutely fantastic!! I've been for the last two years and will be going again this year! I can't wait, go for it, you'll love it

What is it? What do you do? And what level is it aimed at? Sounds interesting.

It's a summer school for pianists. They have masterclasses, individual tuition, recitals by the faculty,student recitals and lectures. You can sit in on anyone elses lessons and to have the chance to watch people like Peter Donohoe and Noriko Ogawa teach is fantastic.

It's a really wonderful summer school and extremely well organised by Murray Mclachlan and his wife. Murray is the head of keyboard there and an amazing pianist himself.

It is for youngsters of a certain level (minimum grade six is expected I think) and of course you get the absolutely brilliant young talent as well as some older talent!

You don't have to be up there with the best in order to be able to go. There was someone there last year who were in their middle years working on grade five pieces.

Hope this information is useful.

is it 'only' for youngsters? How about 42 yrs old 'ladies'?? (I am 37 but might be 42 by the time I'm grade 6 as I'm only grade 1 at present!).
and where is it? how much is it? or even better, does it have a 'website' so I stop bugging you with questions? (I'll go and google it)




Ok, had a look at website and it is open to all ages, but having looked at prices (over £500 for the week!!) I think that if my financial situation is the same in 5 years time then I would have to skip it! I am sure it's worth it and would love to spend the money on it, alas....

I'm wondering about going but as non residential as I'm only a 20 minute train journey away.

that would save you some money! lucky you

That sounds amazing!! No way I could do it this year - I'm already going on a central European tour with school and another music summer schhol, but next year will be the last time I can attend that summer school so I will keep it in mind!!

Thanks to everyone who's replied - you all sound extremely positive. I've decided to go for it & I've sent off an application to go on the adult course. I'm a piano teacher myself, but I don't perform professionally, so I think I'd feel most comfortable with the adult course. I have regular lessons with a fantastic local teacher, but she's going to be away a lot this year, so that will help me to save the money for the course.

It is a lot of money, but when you see what you get for it, it seems very good value. And taking part is only £100 more than observing, which is really an incredible bargain for 3 hours individual tuition plus workshops. I'm getting excited about it already!

Excellent!!! You won't regret it, it truly is awesome I'm a piano teacher too and as well as enjoying being a student on the course, it's also fantastic professional development I can't wait

I am also a piano teacher. You can learn amazing teaching techniques and approaches from the professional concert pianists who teach on the course. For what you get, the price is not a lot. This summer's will be my fifth. Hopefully, you'll love it Bevpiano!

£500 for the week - that's CHEAP!

If it includes food and lodging, it's very cheap.

A weekend do can often cost over £300 if it's quality - certainly in the sound industry.

John

Cheap still doesn't necessarily mean affordable, though

(£87,000 would be cheap for a Strad - doesn't mean I can afford one!! )

So true sarah-flute!!

I was on it last year and it definately is value for money. It's an incredible experience, not only because of the incredible standard of teaching, practising and performing but mainly because of the fantastic community spirit up there. I highly recommend it.