Chetham’s International Piano Summer School

Late Night Jazz Room
2025-08-20 22:00 - 23:30 (Europe/London) | G04
A wonderful opportunity for participants to play some jazz and improvisation in this lovely informal space on a superb grand piano kindly donated by Forsyth Music Shop.
Listen with a drink, or enjoy playing to fellow participants.

Early Morning Warm Ups with Murray
2025-08-21 08:15 - 08:30 | Oglesby Atrium
Flagging with mid-course fatigue? No problem: Wake up early and join Murray for a refreshing warm up session.

Junior Piano Group Class
2025-08-21 08:45 - 09:30 | Oglesby Atrium
Young participants on the Junior Course meet up for the daily classes in movement, aural and rhythmic development. Fun guaranteed!

Teaching session 1
2025-08-21 08:45 - 11:00
The first teaching session of the day. Over 30 faculty will be working with participants in daily intensive individual lessons. All lessons also open to observe.

Junior Advanced 'drop in' practise workshop
2025-08-21 10:15 - 11:00 | G06
The daily ‘drop -in’ class for all Junior Advanced pianists. A great way to set up the day with tips on every aspect of piano playing from a member of the faculty. Come along with a bar, or a small section for lots of advice and help to take you into your practice room.

Adult Amateur Workshop
2025-08-21 11:30 - 13:00 | G06
The daily workshop for the adult amateur course. Join Kathryn Page for helpful and encouraging advice.

“The words ‘thank you’ are totally inadequate to express what I feel. My teachers were all amazing, and I count myself blessed to have had such an opportunity. That I felt that they all took me seriously, despite being an amateur, was a tribute to their genuine love of what they were doing, and I was so, so grateful. I can’t believe I have learned and experienced so much in 1 week.”

Teaching session 2
2025-08-21 11:30 - 13:30
Individual lessons continue apace. With so many wonderful teachers and course options everyone will be kept very busy!. The piano summer school has an ‘open door’ policy – so do go and listen to other lessons. You might decide you want to learn jazz or harpsichord!

Lunchtime Recital - Hannah Roberts, Cello and Simon Parkin, Piano
2025-08-21 13:45 - 14:30 | Stoller Hall
We are delighted to welcome cellist Hannah Roberts and pianist Simon Parkin to give a lunchtime recital.
Hannah Roberts is one of the outstanding ‘cellists of her generation. She she was privileged to have studied extensively with William Pleeth at the Yehudi Menuhin School and Ralph Kirshbaum at the Royal Northern College of Music.
Having won prizes in numerous prestigious competitions and awards such as the Shell LSO, BBC Young Musician, Jacqueline Du Pré Memorial, and Pierre Fournier awards, Hannah has gone on to give many concerto performances with leading orchestras, including the London Mozart Players, LSO, BBC Concert Orchestra, and the Hallé, also making frequent broadcasts for BBC radio and recording for ASV.

Internationally, she has taken part in the Piatigorsky International Cello Festival in Los Angeles, Vivac-e Festival, and Heifetz Institute in the U.S., Encore Chamber Music, International Cello Institute, and numerous other festivals in Europe, and enjoys an active schedule of solo and chamber music performances.
In addition to her activities as a soloist, chamber musician, and principal ‘cellist of the award-winning chamber orchestra Manchester Camerata, Hannah is a committed and sought-after teacher. Recently announced as Jacqueline Du Pré Professor of Cello at the RAM in London, she is also Professor of Cello at the RNCM in Manchester, Visiting Artist in Cello at RBC, and visiting tutor for the University of Oxford.
Her distinguished roster of student alumni includes the British cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, South African artist Abel Selaocoe, and some of the world’s most notable young soloists, chamber musicians, and principal ‘cellists.
Simon Parkin studied at the Yehudi Menuhin School at the age of 10 and trained there as a pianist. An early interest in composition was encouraged there, and at 17 Simon entered Manchester University and the RNCM as a composition student. Upon graduation he was invited onto the staff at RNCM, where he has taught a range of practically-based subjects including aural, improvisation, composition and arranging. He is now Deputy Head of Academic Studies at the RNCM. He has also taught improvisation and composition at both the Menuhin and the Purcell music schools.
Simon has developed his role as an accompanist/duo pianist, enjoying a comprehensive repertoire, and as well as his partnership with Hannah, he works regularly with artists such as Ralph Kirshbaum, and has performed with a range of international artists at festivals and in recital. He is regularly invited as pianist for instrumental classes at IMS Prussia Cove, London Masterclasses and the Schleswig-Holstein Festival Masterclasses, and has recorded a recital disk with violinist Detlef Hahn.
Beethoven: variations on ‘Ein Madchen Oder Weibchen’ from Moxart’s’Magic Flute’
Simon Parkin: 3 pieces
Frank Bridge: Sonata

Junior Foundation 'drop in' performance class
2025-08-21 14:45 - 15:30 | G06
Every day come along to hear other young pianists playing on a grand piano, in front of a supportive audience and member of the faculty. A wonderful way to hear amazing music and to get a chance to perform yourself. Participants and observers welcome.

Teaching session 3
2025-08-21 14:45 - 17:00
The final teaching sessions for the day with all members of the faculty working hard with students in individual lessons.
Don’t forget the piano summer school has an ‘open door’ policy – so do go and listen to other lessons.

Junior Advanced 'drop in' performance class
2025-08-21 15:30 - 16:15 | G06
Don’t miss this opportunity to perform in front of friends on the Advanced Junior Course. Pop in anytime you are free.

'Drop in' performance class
2025-08-21 16:15 - 17:00 | G06
An exciting addition to the course – a daily opportunity to perform and hear other pianists on the course in a very informal performance session, hosted by a member of the faculty. All welcome.

Charles Owen Recital
2025-08-21 19:00 - 20:00 | Stoller Hall
Charles Owen enjoys an extensive international career performing a wide-ranging repertoire to outstanding critical acclaim. He appears at major UK venues such as Bridgewater Hall, The Sage, Wigmore Hall & Kings Place. Internationally, he has performed at the Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall in New York, the Brahms Saal in Vienna’s Musikverein, the Amsterdam Concertgebouw and Melbourne Recital Centre. His chamber music partners include Alina Ibragimova, Johan Dalene, Imogen Cooper, Steven Isserlis and Augustin Hadelich. Ensemble collaborations encompass the Carducci, Heath, Sacconi and Takács string quartets.
A regular guest at UK festivals such as Aldeburgh, Bath, Cheltenham, Three Choirs and Ryedale he has also performed in Australia at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music, Townsville and the Verbier Festival, Switzerland. Charles’s concerto appearances have included the Philharmonia, Hallé, Aurora and London Philharmonic orchestras. He has enjoyed collaborations with many leading conductors including Sir Mark Elder, Ryan Wigglesworth, Nicholas Collon and Martyn Brabbins.
Charles’s significant solo discography comprises piano music by JS Bach, Brahms, Fauré, Liszt, Janáček, Poulenc & Schumann. Chamber music albums include two-piano works by Rachmaninoff, Stravinsky & Poulenc with Katya Apekisheva, a disc of Janáček, Suk & Dvorak with violinist Augustin Hadelich and the world premiere recordings of the Piano Quintet & ´Between Friendsˋ by Jonathan Dove.
Together with pianist Katya Apekisheva he is Co-Artistic Director of London Piano Festival, a celebration of the instrument held annually at Kings Place since 2016. The festival presents many distinguished pianists whilst also commissioning outstanding composers to write music for two pianos. Sally Beamish, Nico Muhly, Elena Langer & Stephen Hough have all composed for the ongoing series.
Charles Owen is a Professor of Piano at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and enjoys leading masterclasses at a wide range of conservatoires and schools. In 2016 he was appointed Steinway & Sons UK Ambassador and is also an ambassador for the charity Help Musicians.
Liszt Deux légendes
Chaminade Sérénade Espagnole, Op 150
Chaminade Guitare, Op 32
De Falla Fantasia Baetica
Ravel Le tombeau de Couperin

Late Night Participant recitals
2025-08-21 22:00 - 23:00
A wonderful opportunity to listen to fellow participants performing recitals around the school.

Baronial Hall

Late Night Jazz Room
2025-08-21 22:00 - 23:30 | G04
The last night for this years late night jazz room!
A wonderful opportunity for participants to play some jazz and improvisation in this lovely informal space on a superb grand piano kindly donated by Forsyth Music Shop.
Listen with a drink, or enjoy playing to fellow participants.

Junior Piano Group Class
2025-08-22 08:45 - 09:30 | Oglesby Atrium
The final morning class for Kodaly, singing and movement on part two.

Teaching session 1
2025-08-22 08:45 - 11:00
The final day for individual participant lessons – a wonderful opportunity to listen to lessons on all courses throughout the day.

Noriko Ogawa

Junior Foundation 'drop in' practise workshop
2025-08-22 09:30 - 10:15 | G06
The final ‘drop -in’ class on part two for all Junior Foundation pianists. A great way to set up the day with tips on every aspect of piano playing from a member of the faculty. If you haven’t made it to the class yet do come in for some helpful tips.

Junior Advanced 'drop in' practise workshop
2025-08-22 10:15 - 11:00 | G06
The final ‘drop -in’ class for all Junior Advanced pianists. Don’t miss this chance to get helpful advice on any aspect of piano playing.

Adult Amateur Workshop
2025-08-22 11:30 - 13:00 | G06
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to play to friends in todays group workshop, the final one for 2025, with the support and encouragement of Marta Karbownicka. Tomorrow morning the room is reserved for the adult amateur course to have a final informal performance.

Teaching session 2
2025-08-22 11:30 - 13:00
The final day for lessons on part two. The faculty are teaching throughout the school on all courses including composition, aural, jazz, improvisation, organ, musical analysis, and much more!

Junior Foundation 'drop in' performance class
2025-08-22 14:45 - 15:30 | G06
The final ‘drop-in’ performance class for the Foundation Junior Course. Come along and perform on a beautiful piano with a supportive audience.

Teaching session 3
2025-08-22 14:45 - 17:00
The third teaching session of the day. Make the most of the opportunity to listen and observe from some of the world’s leading teachers.

Boris Berman

Junior Advanced 'drop in' performance class
2025-08-22 15:30 - 16:15 | G06
The final performance class on Part Two. Don’t miss this opportunity to perform in front of friends on the Advanced Junior Course. Pop in anytime you are free.

'Drop in' performance class
2025-08-22 16:15 - 17:00 | G06
The final opportunity on part two to perform in this informal setting, to an audience of supportive participants.

Participant recitals
2025-08-22 17:00 - 18:00
Pianists have the opportunity to perform on one of the concert grand pianos in the recital rooms. Steinway, Schimmel, Bösendorfer, Yamaha and Bechstein are some of the models available.
Make sure to sign up when applying online.

Craig Sheppard Recital
2025-08-22 20:30 - 21:30 | Stoller Hall
We welcome back world famous American virtuoso pianist-teacher Craig Sheppard to give a long awaited recital.
“Listen to his concluding octaves in Rigoletto (for him a burst of thunderous applause) or the final pages of Tannhuser and you will witness an astounding force and charisma, playing which rides on a knife edge between abandon and control .. You won’t easily find more exciting or, indeed, more leonine Liszt playing. Small wonder that at one stage he was acclaimed as a second William Kapell ”
Gramophone Magazine
A wonderful all French programme to end the series of recitals this year.
FAURÉ
Nocturne No. 6 in D-Flat Major Op. 63
RAVEL Miroirs
Noctuelles
Oiseaux tristes
Une barque sur l’océan
Alborada del gracioso
La vallée des cloches
DEBUSSY Estampes
Pagodes
La soirée dans Grenade
Jardins sous la pluie

Stoller Hall Professional Film Recording
2025-08-23 08:30 - 13:00
The final day for making a professional film recording with Mill Media in the award winning Stoller Hall. Stunning acoustics, a fabulous Model D Steinway is tuned and ready for you to play and top of the range recording equipment provide the perfect conditions.

CIPSS Part 1 Registration
2026-08-12 13:00 - 15:00 | Oglesby Atrium
Please arrive in plenty of time to settle in before the opening recital at 17.00 in Stoller Hall.
If you are a participant on the Junior Piano or Adult Amateur courses, there are welcome meetings at 3.30pm. Do try and arrive in plenty of time to come along to the meeting.
If you cannot arrive in time for the registration please email info@pianosummerschool.com to confirm your expected arrival time.

Welcome meeting for Junior Piano Course
2026-08-12 15:30 - 16:30 | Carole Nash Hall
A chance to meet other young pianists on the course with course director and Head of Keyboard, Murray McLachlan. We look forward to getting to know you all over the course and hearing you play.
