Most of the important info is now available on the website for 2011 - dates (not exactly what Murray told me a few weeks ago, but now 18-30 Aug), faculty & prices (unfortunately going up quite a bit). I'm sure I won't be the only one to start getting excited already.

Ooooh Ooooh !!! YAY!!

I wonder if the faculty list is correct or if the site is still showing 2010..... i notice the lists within the menus are empty at the moment....

Two weeks again this year bev?

I think the lists on the home page are correct for next year now - they have changed over the last few days & names are still being added. They're never totally correct, of course - there are always last minute changes.

Yes, I'll be going for 2 weeks - at least, I hope so, it's going to require considerable saving up, especially as I like to have extra lessons & it's all more expensive.

I can't find it . I have tried all the obvious places on the site, and made several searches and can find nothjing about the 2011 Summer School. I must be getting senile . Do you have a direct link?

Hi Tom,

I'm sure you can't be going senile! You're far more computer literate than I am. I don't even know how to do links, but it's on the homepage of pianosummerschool.com. It's not quite complete, but the dates & faculty are on the homepage & fees are under summer school.

It took me a while to find it-they don't make it easy....

http://www.pianosummerschool.com/

Already!? I felt like I just got back!

* off to check details and book my holidays for next year *

ETA: Booking opens 11 January - save the date! (Ooh, that's 11/1/11 )

Am I being dim?

There seems to be the piano course, which sounds like it is for people who are really good.

The young pianists course which says it is for people below grade 5

The adult amateur course which sounds a bit more relaxed.

So where would a sixteen year old who has just passed (hopefully ) grade 8 fit in? Do they count as an adult for the amateur course?

On the basis of glowing reports from forum members who attended this year's summer school, I am giving this serious consideration.

The price for the two sessions is, however, equivalent to nearly a year's worth of tuition from my own excellent piano teacher. I am therefore struggling to make the case on the basis of an initial value for money appraisal.

Other than the direct benefits as advertised, what else should I take into consideration in persuading myself (and those who will be left at home) that it would be a great idea to go?

That explains it. I was looking on www.chethams.com !!

This summer I was 18 and probably a little below the standard you describe. I did the normal piano course and had a great time, although perhaps didn't get full benefit from it as whilst no one would have stopped me from playing in masterclasses and concerts, I didn't want to as I was a very different standard from the others. For this reason I may well go for the adult amateur course if I go this year - the only reason that's an if is that I'm now a uni student without much money, and also might want to do a more general music course as I play the violin as well.

It might be best to ask for advice on the teachers most suited to your level - for example I decided it was a good bet to go for someone who taught at Chet's regularly because even though the kids there are very talented, when they're ten or 11 at least, many of them are no more advanced than I am.

But just to emphasise: without exception, the people there were completely open and non-judgemental, even the young musician finalists who are in a completely different league to me.

The adult amateur sounds good, but do they prevent 16 year olds from doing it? It's not clear what they class as adult.

Give Kathryn Page a ring or email her.
She'll give you the advice you need.

Is there any news on what the outcome was from all the concerns raised last time around?

If it's two full 7-day weeks this time, I'll probably just do one of them. I was absolutely demolished after 10 days!

I really want to go but I am not going to be a high enough standard by summer

Ignore that bit about "Grade 5" upwards. If you can play at all you'll be welcome.

Lol but will I be able to actually do anything. I love love love love piano but in the workshops I'd probs be scratching my head while everyone else is playing lol

You will learn lots, whether the playing is from a world-class concert artist, or a fellow beginner.

I am hoping to go and I'm not Grade 5

I decided to go not long after I passed Grade 3 and I was ok

I'm going. That should settle the debate for you

Well with mook, sol and lois it'll be a proper crew and a severely alcohol-depleted bar...

How much does it cost?

The best part of a half-tidy bit, I'm afraid...

You'd best get saving if you're paying for me too then....

I will not be led astray......................

Would that because you'd be the one doing the leading?

Lol you beat me to it there! Lois, I will never forget the image of you with a pint and two bacardi's in front of you wondering whether to buy more because the bar was closing......

Better to have too much booze than not enough!

Will keep that in mind for tomorrow. Got a beer preference?

Anything wet and alcoholic.

Actually, I'll be quite civilised this weekend, considering what I've ordered in for Christmas... My liver needs time to prepare!

Wet and alcoholic? I'll put jo is the shower for a few minutes for you then

LOL!!!! I knew I was wide open for a joke there

Just you two wait.......

Quick distract her with beer!

Me too: Week 2 for me. Probably. Or perhaps week 1? Decisions, decisions!

It's actually 6 days in each part this time - somewhere in-between the normal 2 full weeks & last year's five-day parts. If people are choosing between the 2 parts, you might want to bear in mind that the concerto competition takes place during the 1st part, which reduces the number of faculty recitals. You do get a trip over to RNCM to watch the final - it depends whether this interests you.

I'm currently thinking of both weeks

I won't make it next year.

I'm so excited. Those of you who are worried about the grade 5 thing, don't be. It is a great atmosphere. No one judges you. It doesn't matter if you stuff it up. I think the key is not to compare yourself to others but have your own personal goals. Most people, if not all, were much better than I am but it really didn't matter and I still had a fabulous time.

Be aware that you'll be up half the night as well, so something to bear in mind when considering whether to book for one or two weeks as you don't really sleep at Chet's. If you can go without much sleep for the best part of two weeks, then go for it. I might be boring this year and work really hard and go to bed at a reasonable time: easier said than done though with all the wonderful people you meet.

I'll be sorry not to see you there this year, sbhoa, but see you at taxi driver's.


Edit: next year.

Some of us didn't stay up half the night.

I'll be there next year.....

Awwww why not ?

Chet's was fantastic and no one has any need to be concerned about what level you are at. No one judges you and the advice/ help/ tuition is second to none. A wonderful experience.

Having said that, I am debating whether to do Chet's or opt for something closer to home. I have found two piano summer schools running next year - one in Hereford the other in the Malverns. I could potentially be able to go home each night...do I want to do that, possibly not?!

Now I don't know what to do. Of course the deciding factor will probably be that Chets will have forumers there and it is so good to meet up with forum friends and make new forum friendships.

Orchestra tour to Belgium in August.
Also if I manage to do a summer school or similar next year U think that maybe it's the clarinet's turn.

What is the equivalent for clarinet?

You've got to go to Chet's. Chet's rules.

Erm...... That's a tricky one.
There was one in Bath last year which appears to most fit what I'm looking for. It was for grade 6 up so this year I was right at the bottom end anyway.
The trouble with woodwind courses is that they seem to be mostly ensemble based where I want something with individual tuition, the opportunity to play in a masterclass and some solo performance opportunity.
I accept that the nature of the instruments will mean that ensemble playing will be part of a course but I play in a local orchestra and this is not my main need.

Does anyone have any experience of this one?

http://www.abermusicfest.org/courses/Clarinet.htm I also saw one based at Shrewsbury school, but I don't know if that one was ensemble based.

Well I had planned to go this year but now won't be The money will have to go towards the new Yamaha U3 instead, now that they are scrapping the 'take it away' finance scheme for anyone over 25