Chetham’s International Piano Summer School

Late Night Jazz Room
2026-08-13 22:00 (Europe/London) | G04
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.
Enjoy listening with a drink, or enjoy playing to fellow participants.

Early Morning Warm Ups with Murray
2026-08-14 08:15 - 08:30 | Oglesby Atrium
Wake up early and join Murray for a refreshing warm up session. A chance to start your day with aural and physical fun – everyone welcome!

Drop in practice workshop
2026-08-14 08:45 - 09:30 | G06
Start the day with a helpful workshop for everyone who needs a little support with practising. Workshops for the Junior Course are scheduled just after this class.
Everyone welcome – come along with a bar, a chord, or any part of a piece that you would like some advice on from a member of the faculty. Tips on fingering, pedaling, phrasing, articulation, voicing etc.

Junior Piano Group Class
2026-08-14 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.

Dalcroze Group Classes
2026-08-14 08:45 - 10:15 | Gym
Join Alison Wise for a fun and inspiring session of Dalcroze Eurhythmics.
In Dalcroze Eurhythmics, music is experienced through movement – the teaching and learning process engages body, mind and emotion.
Contemporary research demonstrates that whole-body movement is an effective way to enhance musicianship, improve co-ordination and concentration, and develop the skills needed to be a good performer.
Studying physically, in a group setting, increases confidence, refines the ability to sense and analyse music, and develops auditory memory, communication, expression, and creativity.

Teaching session 1
2026-08-14 08:45 - 11:00
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.

Stoller Hall Professional Film Recording
2026-08-14 09:00 - 12:00 | 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. With the outstanding Mill Media in the award winning Stoller Hall. Please book early as spaces are limited.

Junior Course 'drop in' practice workshop
2026-08-14 09:30 - 10:15 | G06
Come along with a bar, or a small section for lots of advice and help to take you into your practice room. Stay for 5 minutes or the whole class – so much can be discovered by listening to everyone.

Scales and exercises 'drop in' workshop
2026-08-14 10:15 - 11:00 | G06
New for 2026 a daily class focusing on scales and exercises.
Regular work on scales and exercises transforms your facility, giving you the freedom to play with clarity and control.
Drop in for 5 minutes or come for the whole class – everyone welcome!

Adult Amateur Workshop
2026-08-14 11:30 - 13:00 | G06
A chance for all adult amateur pianists to come and play in a supportive atmosphere, with Susan Bettaney. Come and play a bar, a phrase or a complete piece – on a wonderful Grand piano kindly donated by Forsyth Music Shop. Get help with performance nerves – many participants who thought they would never have the courage to play come back year after year, including some making a recording in Stoller Hall and taking performance diplomas!

Teaching session 2
2026-08-14 11:30 - 13:00
Lessons throughout the school on all courses including composition, aural, jazz, improvisation, organ, musical analysis, and much more!

Lunchtime Recital
2026-08-14 13:45 - 14:30 | Stoller Hall
Full details of the artist and programme will be updated shortly.

The Art of Four Hands workshop
2026-08-14 14:45 - 15:30 | G06
New for 2026!
A new daily workshop dedicated to the art of piano duo playing – both duets and 2 pianos.
Diabelli, Mozart, Schubert, Grieg, Dvorak, Brahms, Ravel, Debussy, Faure, Rachmaninov – so many composers wrote a huge amount for both piano duet and 2 pianos. These new workshops are a chance to come along with a prepared duo, or simply to enjoy sightreading through some of this amazing repertoire.
There will be something for everyone – do bring your own music to share with us and have fun exploring the box of music too.
Kathryn Stott and Matthew McLachlan

Teaching session 3
2026-08-14 14:45 - 17:00
The faculty are teaching throughout the school on all courses including composition, aural, jazz, improvisation, organ, musical analysis, and much more! Don’t miss the opportunity to learn from some of the most respected teachers and pianists in the world.

Paul Lewis

Junior Course 'drop in' performance class
2026-08-14 15:30 - 16:15 | G06
Don’t miss this opportunity to perform in front of friends on the Junior Course. Pop in anytime you are free.

'Drop in' performance class
2026-08-14 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.

Lecture
2026-08-14 17:15 - 18:00 | Stoller Hall
Full details for todays lecture announced shortly.

Dina Parakhina giving a lecture recital on Medtner in 2025

Alicja Fiderkiewicz Recital
2026-08-14 19:00 - 20:00 | Stoller Hall
We are thrilled to welcome back Alicja Fiderkiewicz to give a solo recital in Stoller Hall.
“Her playing is distinguished by her innate sense of style and immaculate articulation. These qualities combine with true musicianship to give performances of uncommon interest, Her interpretation of Beethoven’s “Pathetique” Sonata was masterly; the strength which underlies her playing is always finely controlled and her phrasing delineates the development of the music. The slow movement especially, was most beautifully played with a sober elegance and a wealth of controlled feeling.” Daily Telegraph
Alicja has performed widely throughout the UK including number of recitals in the Wigmore Hall, St. John’s Smith Square, St-Martin’s-in-the-fields in London. She has performed in Manchester, Isle of Man, Liverpool, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow to name a few. As well as performances in the UK Alicja has performed concertos and recitals in Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Italy, Switzerland, Cyprus, Spain, Finland, Japan, USA, Singapore & Malaysia.

© Martin Lijinsky

Benjamin Frith Recital
2026-08-14 20:30 - 21:30 | Stoller Hall
Prolific recitalist and recording artist, Benjamin Frith is one of the most versatile, respected and engaging pianists in the UK. With over 60 recordings – from Scarlatti to MacMillan – and many acclaimed reviews, Frith is at the forefront of the craft of music making.
Gold Medal winner of the Artur Rubinstein Piano Masters International Competition, Tel Aviv, and Top Prize Winner in the Busoni International Piano Competition, Frith has performed with many of the worlds finest orchestras and conductors. Zubin Mehta with the IPO and Mosche Atzmon with the Warsaw
Philharmonic amongst some of Frith’s many memorable musical experiences.
Renowned for his critically acclaimed recordings, Frith made Gramophone ‘Disc of the Year’ with his C.V. Stanford 2nd Piano Concerto and his Schumann Davidsbundler Op. 6 won top recommendation in the Radio 3 ‘CD Review’. In high demand as both soloist and chamber musician, Frith enjoys a busy and versatile career. As pianist in the Gould Piano Trio he has toured extensively throughout North America; and as guest pianist in the illustrious Nash Ensemble he has performed and recorded to critical acclaim. Solo tours have taken him to America, Europe, the middle and far East with upcoming
solo tours to Japan.

© Martin Lijinsky

Late Night Participant recitals
2026-08-14 22:00 - 23:00
Late night recitals by participants on the course – inspiration and incredibly varied repertoire guaranteed!

Late Night Jazz Room
2026-08-14 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.
Steven Osborne with Nikki Iles in an informal performance in 2025.

https://pianosummerschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Jazz-lesson.mp4

Early Morning Warm Ups with Murray
2026-08-15 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.

Drop in practice workshop
2026-08-15 08:45 - 09:30 | G06
A great way to set up the day with tips on every aspect of piano playing from a member of the faculty.

Junior Piano Group Class
2026-08-15 08:45 - 09:30 | Oglesby Atrium
Join all the other junior course pianists for a group session. Dalcroze, Kodaly, movement, listening, and much more.

Teaching session 1
2026-08-15 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.

Alexander Technique Group and Individual Classes
2026-08-15 08:45 - 17:00 | Gym
Learning the Alexander Technique gives you a fascinating tool for noticing when the tension is creeping up on you, so you can notice your reactions building and let go of the tension. It means you’re calmer and more confident in everything you do. That’s why actors and musicians use it for stage-fright, golfers use it to improve performance, and you can use it to reduce stress and anxiety.
We are thrilled to welcome back James Crow who is renowned for his work helping musicians. Book early to secure a place.

Stoller Hall Professional Film Recording
2026-08-15 09:00 - 12:00
Experience exceptional acoustics and the brilliance of a beautifully prepared Model D Steinway, ready for your performance. State‑of‑the‑art recording equipment ensures the finest conditions, all supported by the expertise of Mill Media in the acclaimed Stoller Hall.
Early booking is advised, as places are limited.

Junior Course 'drop in' practice workshop
2026-08-15 09:30 - 10:15 | G06
The daily ‘drop -in’ class for all Junior Course 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.

Scales and exercises 'drop in' workshop
2026-08-15 10:15 - 11:00 | G06
New for 2026 a daily class focusing on scales and exercises.
Join a daily workshop where scales and exercises become exciting tools for progress, unlocking speed, strength, and expressive freedom. Learn how to make exercises out of your repertoire and to always find new ways to practise.
Drop in for 5 minutes or come for the whole class – everyone welcome!

Adult Amateur Workshop
2026-08-15 11:30 - 13:00 | G06
Adult amateur pianists are warmly welcomed to play in a friendly, encouraging atmosphere with Kathryn Page. Whether it’s a single phrase or a complete work, this session helps ease performance nerves. Countless participants who once lacked confidence now return annually, with some going on to record in Stoller Hall and pursue diplomas.
