We’re very pleased to confirm that we have just released our courses for next year. There’s something for everyone to look forward to!
Our programme is brought to you by some really wonderful tutors. David 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 Kawai Global Artist Florian Mitrea.
For anyone nervous about playing in front of a group, we begin our programme on New Year’s Day with our popular new style Piano retreat course. There are no group sessions at all – just private practice, individual tuition from the wonderful Charlotte Tomlinson 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 June, the “life-changing” Music and Mindfulness weekend makes a return to Finchcocks by Tom Poster and Elena Urioste, which combines piano playing, yoga and some duets over a blissfully relaxing weekend.
And for all those who requested a weekend dedicated to jazz, we are offering Jazz for Classical Pianists with David Hall in November.
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 £600 – £650 (depending on the size of the room), which is fully inclusive of tuition, food, wine and beautiful accommodation now situated in the grade 1 listed manor house.
In the meantime, here’s a summary of what we have on:
Intermediate piano course at Finchcocks
Lower intermediate
David was described by the Sunday Times as “a musical powerhouse” and his gentle and supportive style is regularly mentioned in feedback from our guests. David will be running lower intermediate courses on 26 March, followed by 20 August and 10 December. These courses would suit players between grade 2 and grade 4 playing standard.
Upper Intermediate
Upper intermediate
Apart from a great selection of composer-specific weekends, upper intermediate level courses are running with both David Hall on the 12-14 February and with Warren Mailley-Smith on 16-18 April . These courses tend to suit people who are grade 5 – 7 standard, and those preparing for grade 8 and in need of a boost before an exam!
Music and Mindfulness yoga on the lawn
Music and Mindfulness
This course was described last year as “life-changing” by at least one guest attending the weekend with Tom Poster and Elena Urioste. Join them 18-20 June for a weekend of mindful practising, empowering movement, breathing, and exploring the spirit of camaraderie within music-making.
Applied theory
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 October, 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.
Jazz for Classical pianists with David Hall
Jazz for Classical Pianists
We’ve had a lot of requests from jazz enthusiasts for a weekend dedicated to exploring the genre. Learn how to read chord symbols and interpret them to create your jazz performance. Develop your aural and memory skills, exploring and learning new tunes by ear. Develop your improvisation skills… and accompany a jazz singer! This weekend course is running 15-17 October and is for intermediate and advanced piano players.
Summer schools, summer fun
Summer schools
In 2021, we will be offering two 5-day summer school courses. Places for these are very popular. (What better way to spend a summer holiday?) And because of this, we will only be accepting bookings from those who have attended a weekend course previously. David Hall’s Intermediate Summer School takes place on 19-23 July, and Warren Mailley-Smith’s Upper Intermediate Summer School, the 2-6 August. It really is a magical week, especially with evening performances for guests held on our newly built open-air stage!
Warren Mailley-Smith
Composer weekends
Beethoven, Chopin, Debussy, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Ravel, Satie…
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 19 November. We have the Impressionists Debussy, Satie and Ravel visiting us 28-30 May. And for the bravest among us, Warren is also running a weekend dedicated to the music of Liszt and Rachmaninoff on 9-11 July, which will include technique, performance and fingering tips.
We are delighted that Graham Fitch will also be leading a Finchcocks celebration of Beethoven’s 250th birthday, in a weekend dedicated to his music 5-7 March. As you can see – there are plenty of greats to be inspired by!
Steinway
Advanced
If you’d prefer a broader course for advanced players (beyond grade 8 and above), our advanced weekend 22-24 January with the inspiring Graham Fitch is for you! Set the year up with a new tool box of practice and performance tips to see you flying!
Graham Fitch
Baroque and Bach
Love early keyboard music and harpsichord? Graham Fitch is offering this exciting opportunity to explore early keyboard repertoire, techniques and how to play them on both our Finchcocks pianos and a harpsichord. We can’t wait to hear echos of past Finchcocks instruments and performances ringing through the house! This takes place 17-19 September and is not composer specific.
Relaxing after an evening recital
Piano Retreat
What better way to start the New Year with a special piano retreat starting on New Year’s Day? I think we can all agree that 2020 hasn’t been the best. Wipe the slate clean, get away from it all and re-kindle your love for the piano in the luxury setting of Finchcocks. The weekend 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! It 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.
Retreats include two private lessons with Charlotte Tomlinson and an evening recital in the main Hall at Finchcocks.
To book
Either complete a booking form at the bottom of a particular course event page or contact Jenny here.
We look forward to hearing from you!