My violin teacher called me to say he was retiring as of now and so won't be teaching anyone any more. It was completely out the blue and last lesson he'd even talked about starting a new sonata.

I'm not really sure what to do. He couldn't think of anyone to suggest I went to (although I'm not sure I really want to start all over again, getting used to a new teacher etc).

I've got my exam pieces and some studies to be working on but I really feel a bit stranded now - Any ideas?

Oh poor you. I'm not surprised you feel stranded.

When my last teacher moved away I at least got a few months notice to find someone else. The best thing that worked for me in finding a new teacher was my network of musical friends. I just kept asking around until I found someone.

Databases an the internet were not much use for me, no-one in violin around here.

Anyway good first step posting on here.

Good Luck

Sorry to hear about this. As a teacher myself I wouldnt dream of just packing in my job without given at least some notice in advance.

My advice is you can either look for a new teacher, local shop, local newspapers, Yellow Pages or even try musicteachers.co.uk for your area or the other option is to just carry on playing yourself and teaching yourself. I did this when I did my Grade 6 and 7 at about 24 years of age after finishing Uni. I'd packed the Piano in in my teens and resumed it again at the age of 18 while at College. At that level there was no stopping me and I ended up playing music far above my Level, but it was all good experience and made grade 7 stuff seem quite easy.
Good Luck with whatever you decide.

Gae

Can I just say that there might be more behind this than meets the eye?

I was talking to a teaching colleague only a couple of weeks ago, and he told me how another teacher he knew suddenly told all his pupils that he wasn't teaching anymore and that they should go elsewhere, to their great consternation.
What he didn't tell them was that he had been diagnosed as terminally ill, and just wanted to spend his last few months to the full with his family, and doing things he'd always wanted to do but never got round to.

I'm not at all saying that this must be what has happened to your teacher, but if this action is totally out of character there MUST be some deeper reason for it.

meanwhile...you can work on the studies on your own...shouldn't be a problem, try a bit every week, and you might disciplin yourself to work on the exam pieces by yourself. for eg: practice section by section, don't pressure yourself too much. So that when you found your new teacher, your playing hasn't deteriorate

I know a lot of the teachers in my area are affilliated with the Arts department of the county council. Perhaps you could see if any of the teachers have space for you.

My teacher was away for about a year because he'd had a flu jab and was very ill all of a sudden. If your teacher doesn't have a very good reason for retiring, I think he should be ashamed of himself. It's not fair on you.

I can sympathised completely Appasionata! My first violin teacher died two years ago now, which was completely unexpected. I felt stranded too, and it took a few months to find a violin teacher in Birmingham with spaces and a good reputation.

Persevere!!

That was EXACTLY what I thought. From personal experience, those I know who suddenly dropped everything without reason or notice tend to be due to illness.

Absolutely dont give up, keep practicing and have some fun for a while whilst you look for a new teacher, try advertising in the local paper for one BUT DONT GIVE IT UP