Chetham’s International Piano Summer School

Teaching session 1
2025-08-16 08:45 - 11:00 (Europe/London)
Individual lessons take place on all courses throughout the school. The summer school has an ‘open door’ policy – offering an amazing opportunity to sit in on lessons.

Junior Foundation 'drop in' practise workshop
2025-08-16 09:30 - 10:15 | G06
The daily ‘drop -in’ class 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. Come along with a bar, or a small section for lots of advice and help to take you into your practice room.

Junior Advanced 'drop in' practise workshop
2025-08-16 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.

Teaching session 2
2025-08-16 11:30 - 13:00
As individual lessons continue apace, take full advantage of the ‘open door’ policy on the summer school.

Lunchtime Recital - Neil Rutman
2025-08-16 13:45 - 14:30 | Stoller Hall
‘He won the audience over for himself with exquisite performances’ (New York Times)
Professor Neil Rutman is one of America’s most distinguished musicians. A prizewinner at many celebrated international competitions, he has performed throughout the world and continues to nurture young pianists as Artist in residence at the University of central Arkansas. Neil has performed ‘L’histoire du Baba’ with both Shirly MacLaine and Emmy Award winner Tony Randall as narrators. For this recital he will undertake the remarkable tour-de-force of both performing the music and narrating the charming story entirely by himself. Not to be missed.
POULENC ‘The Story of Babar the Little Elephant’
LISZT Bénédiction de Dieu dans la solitude

Junior Foundation 'drop in' performance class
2025-08-16 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. Everyone welcome. If you have a duet, the member of faculty would love to play with you.

Teaching session 3
2025-08-16 14:45 - 17:00
In this third teaching session relish the opportunity to ‘sit in’ on as many lessons as you can – observing some of the world’s leading piano teachers in action!

'Drop in' performance class
2025-08-16 16:15 - 17:00 | G06
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.

Lecture Recital with Murray McLachlan
2025-08-16 17:15 - 18:00 | Stoller Hall
Today Murray celebrates the 80th year of composer Edward Gregson.
I have no hesitation in declaring Gregson to be one of the most significant British composers currently active in this country
Robert Matthew-Walker, International Record Review
Edward Gregson was born in Sunderland, Co Durham, England, in 1945. He graduated from London’s Royal Academy of Music in 1967, having studied piano and composition (with Alan Bush), and then completed a B.Mus (Hons) degree at London University. He is a composer of international standing whose music has been performed, broadcast, and recorded worldwide. He has written orchestral, chamber, instrumental and choral music, as well as making major contributions to the wind and brass repertoire. He has also written music for the theatre, film, and television.
Edward Gregson has had an impressive career as an academic, from his time as Head of Composition and resident conductor in the music department of Goldsmiths College, University of London (1976-96), and where he was appointed a Professor of Music, to his tenure as Principal of the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) in Manchester (1996-2008). He retired from academe in 2008 in order to concentrate on his composition.
His orchestral music has been performed by many orchestras and conductors worldwide, including all the BBC orchestras, the London Symphony, Royal Scottish National, Hallé, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, and Bournemouth Symphony orchestras; with conductors such as Martyn Brabbins, Edward Downes, Rumon Gamba, Alexander Gibson, Gunther Herbig, Kent Nagano, Gianandrea Noseda, Bramwell Tovey, and soloists including Ole Edvard Antonsen, Wissam Boustany, Olivier Charlier, Michael Collins, Nelson Goerner, Guy Johnston, Nobuya Sugawa, and Richard Watkins.
Six Little Piano Pieces
Three Etudes
Piano Sonata

Late Night Jazz Room
2025-08-16 22:00 - 23:30 | 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
2025-08-17 08:15 - 08:30 | Oglesby Atrium
End of course blues? Don’t worry- you can come back again next year for more inspiration and pianophilia. Meanwhile, join Murray for one last time in the final part one cobweb-sweeping session to get your last day off in style!

Junior Piano Group Class
2025-08-17 08:45 - 09:30 | Oglesby Atrium
The final group class for all young pianists on the Junior Course part one.
From 2023 – enjoying listening to music with eyes closed with Murray McLachlan.

Teaching session 1
2025-08-17 08:45 - 11:00
The day begins with all members of the faculty teaching throughout the school. Everyone will receive a daily lesson as standard.

Junior Foundation 'drop in' practise workshop
2025-08-17 09:30 - 10:15 | G06
The final daily ‘drop -in’ class for all Junior Foundation pianists on part one. Don’t miss the chance to come along for some extra help on any aspect of playing.

Junior Advanced 'drop in' practise workshop
2025-08-17 10:15 - 11:00 | G06
The final daily ‘drop -in’ class for all Junior Advanced pianists on part one. 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
2025-08-17 11:30 - 13:00 | G06
The final group performance workshop on part one, with the very popular teacher, Ben Powell. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to perform on the beautiful piano in front of your new piano family.

Teaching session 2
2025-08-17 11:30 - 13:00
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!

Junior Foundation 'drop in' performance class
2025-08-17 14:45 - 15:30 | G06
The final ‘drop-in’ performance class for the Foundation Junior Course on part one. Come along and perform on a beautiful piano with a supportive audience.

Teaching session 3
2025-08-17 14:45 - 17:00
The third teaching session of the day. Over 100 pianos will be played during this session!

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

Yoga group class
2025-08-17 16:15 - 17:30 | Waterhouse
We are thrilled to welcome Sam Brook to take 2 group classes in Yoga this year.
Sam is an outstanding pianist and teacher and is also a qualified Yogi.
Some of yoga’s many potential benefits include improved flexibility, strength, and body awareness. It may also help relieve stress and anxiety.
The word “yoga” comes from the Sanskrit root word “yuj,” which means “to yoke” or “to bind.” The word itself has numerous meanings, from an astrological conjunction to matrimony, with the underlying theme being connection.
Book one or two classes on the application form.

Participant recitals
2025-08-17 17:00 - 18:00
All participants 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.

Carole Nash Recital Hall

Gala Faculty Recital
2025-08-18 17:00 - 18:00 | Stoller Hall
The opening night of CIPSS part two continues with a gala faculty recital. A varied and exciting programme featuring outstanding members of the faculty.
Free for all summer school participants. Tickets available for the public from the Stoller Hall.

Late Night Jazz Room with Les Chisnall and guest Richard Iles
2025-08-18 22:00 - 23:30 | G04
New this year!
Every evening a chance for participants to play some jazz and improvisation in this lovely space on a superb grand piano kindly donated by Forsyth Music Shop. On the opening night we are thrilled that Les Chisnall will perform a short set for us as we enjoy our welcome drink. He will be joined by Richard Iles Home | RICHARD ILES – can’t wait!

Junior Piano Group Class
2025-08-19 08:45 - 09:30 | Oglesby Atrium
The first morning group class where singing, movement and more help to ease everyone into the day.
a young pianist exploring rhythm with Murray McLachlan.

Teaching session 1
2025-08-19 08:45 - 11:00
As all members of the faculty teach throughout the school, don’t miss the opportunity to listen to the amazing lessons.

Junior Foundation 'drop in' practise workshop
2025-08-19 09:30 - 10:15 | G06
The first daily ‘drop -in’ class for all Junior Foundation pianists on part two. 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.

Junior Advanced 'drop in' practise workshop
2025-08-19 10:15 - 11:00 | G06
Don’t miss the wonderful opportunity to get helpful advice on any aspect of the best ways to practise. 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.

Teaching session 2
2025-08-19 11:30 - 13:00
Faculty are busy giving daily individual lessons on all courses.

Adult Amateur Workshop
2025-08-19 11:30 - 13:00 | G06
The first of the daily adult amateur workshop on part two. A chance to perform a piece and receive constructive and helpful feedback. If you want help with a particular phrase then bring this along too – everyone welcome! with Kathryn Page
