We’re very pleased to confirm that we have just released a packed programme of 20 piano courses for 2020. Our programme is brought to you by some really wonderful tutors. Dave Hall who got rave reviews in the Sunday Times, Graham Fitch who is a regular contributor to the Pianist Magazine as well as concert pianist Warren Mailley-Smith and Steinway artist Verdana Subotic.

For anyone nervous about playing in front of a group, we’ve also launched a new style “Piano retreat” course – with no group sessions at all – just private practice, individual tuition and delicious food! 

And for anyone feeling like they need to brush up their understanding of harmony and notation, we have created a dedicated music theory weekend – based on the ABRSM grade 5 syllabus – and brought to life with practical examples and tips on how it can make you a better player.

In February, “Music and mindfulness” is being brought to Finchcocks by Tom Poster and Elena Urioste, which combines piano playing, yoga and some duets over a blissfully relaxing long weekend.

So if you are tempted, but haven’t yet booked onto one of our courses, then drop us a line. We’ll help you pick a course that suits your experience and aspirations perfectly. Weekend courses are £525 – £625 (depending on the size of the room), which is fully inclusive of tuition, food, wine and beautiful accommodation in the Finchcocks Coach House.

Beginner
David Hall‘s beginner weekend in October sold out within a few days of being released. His next beginner course will be in on 3rd April. It suits anyone at around the grade 1 level; some of our beginners have started from scratch, some are self taught, and some got to grade 2 or 3, then lapsed for a few decades.  

Lower intermediate
Dave was described by the Sunday Times as “a musical powerhouse” and his gentle and supportive style is regularly rated by our guests as “life-changing”. Dave will be running lower intermediate courses on 21 February, followed by 3 July and 23 October.  More than half of the places on these courses have been reserved by returning guests, so please do drop us a line at your earliest convenience to reserve your place if you are interested. These courses would suit players between grade 3 and grade 5 playing standard.

Upper intermediate
We’re very lucky to have secured the services of Graham Fitch to run two upper intermediate courses for us next year on 31 January and 24 April. We’re also very pleased to be welcoming Penelope Roskell to run a weekend course focusing on “Healthy Technique and Natural artistry” on 6 November. Dave Hall will be running our final upper intermediate course of 2020 on 11 December. These courses tend to suit people who are grade 5 – 7 standard. 

Advanced
For 2020, we have 3 advanced weekend courses booked in; Warren is running the first on 13 March, followed by Graham on 19 June and 20 November. These courses are designed for people who have reached a grade 8 standard and would also suit piano teachers and anyone studying towards their diploma.        

Theory made fun?
If your knowledge of the circle of 5ths is a bit shaky, and you don’t know your inversions from your cadences, then this could be the course for you. This weekend course, held on 29 April, 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 applied to your everyday playing, and how it can help you progress more quickly.

Piano Retreats
This coming January, Finchcocks is offering a very special piano retreat for those who want to get away from it all and re-kindle their love for the piano. It is also ideal if you have been considering a course with us but are a bit put off by the the idea of playing in front of others! This weekend course differs from our usual format: without formal workshops or performance classes, it is a mixed ability retreat with a free programme, leaving guests to spend their time relaxing or playing as much they want! “Plus ones” are welcome too. Our retreats begin with a “New Year’s Resolution” course on 3 January, followed by another one on 4 September. Retreats include two private lessons and an evening recital in the main Hall at Finchcocks.

Summer courses
We have three 5 day summer courses scheduled in 2020: one with Graham Fitch and Penelope Roskell on 3 August for advanced players; a second with concert pianist Warren Mailley-Smith on 10 August for upper intermediate players, in addition to Dave Hall’s very popular intermediate 5 day course on 20 July which includes a 1:1 organ lesson in Goudhurst Church. Vedrana Subotic, an acclaimed US Steinway artist, will also be returning to Finchcocks for a 5 day course for advanced and aspiring professional players in autumn on 12 October.

Chopin and Rachmaninoff
Warren Mailley-Smith‘s Chopin course sold out in record time last year, thanks to some very positive coverage on Classic FM, so we are delighted that he’ll be returning for another weekend course on 10 July. For the bravest among us, he is also running a weekend dedicated to the music of Rachmaninoff on 18 September, which will include performance and fingering tips. You can find out more about his approach to Rachmaninoff here.  

Drop us a line using the form below if you’d like to find out more about any of the courses described above: