Teaching session 3
2026-08-19 14:45 - 17:00 (Europe/London)
The final session for individual lessons. Teachers on all courses will be working throughout the school. Participants are warmly encouraged to take full advantage of the summer school’s ‘open door’ policy

Junior Course 'drop in' performance class
2026-08-19 15:30 - 16:15 | G06
A great opportunity to play on a beautiful grand piano in front of a small, friendly audience.

'Drop in' performance class
2026-08-19 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 - From Stress to Strength - with Mookie Lee-Menuhin
2026-08-19 17:15 - 18:00 | Stoller Hall
In today’s high-pressure world, many of us — musicians and non-musicians alike — live in a constant state of survival mode: stretched thin, always “on,” and striving to stay in control while feeling increasingly depleted.
With soaring levels of stress and burnout worldwide — and with musicians facing significantly higher rates of mental ill-health than the general population due to performance pressure, job insecurity, physical strain and a demanding culture that still clings to the myth of innate, immutable talent — this talk explores how we can move from stress to strength, from merely surviving to truly living.
Drawing on neuroscience and life on stage, concert pianist and cognitive neuroscientist Mookie Lee-Menuhin offers a different perspective. She discusses how awareness, connection, and meaning can shift our physiology, build resilience, and transform our relationship with ourselves and others even under stress and pressure. Backed with simple, science-based tools, she invites us to rethink stress and reimagine what is possible: not by avoiding difficulty, but by meeting it with presence and purpose.
Award‐winning pianist Mookie Lee‐Menuhin has performed worldwide as a soloist and chamber musician, touring major music halls and festivals throughout Europe, Scandinavia and Asia.

In addition to her musical pursuits, Ms. Lee-Menuhin is a cognitive neuroscientist. Her fascination and passion for knowledge of the intricacies of the brain and human behaviour earned her a master’s degree with distinction in applied neuroscience from King’s College London. Her unique path as a concert pianist and neuroscientist raised curiosity in the field of science and beyond, being featured in an interview by Women in Science and Technology at CERN (the European Organisation for Nuclear Research) as well as in her presentation for Korean female leaders at the SungJoo Foundation.

Joanna MacGregor Recital
2026-08-19 19:00 - 20:00 | Stoller Hall
‘MacGregor seems incapable of giving performances that are not at once extremely intelligent and entertaining’.
The Sunday Times
‘She is one of the most exciting and enterprising pianists of the moment.’
The Observer
‘Joanna MacGregor’s career is practically built on a reinvention of the star virtuoso
tradition… MacGregor’s verve, energy and astounding technique are always at the
service of the music.’
BBC Classical Review
We are thrilled to welcome back Joanna to Stoller Hall. Free to all summer school participants- public tickets available from the Stoller Hall.

Piers Lane Recital
2026-08-19 20:30 - 21:30 | Stoller Hall
“No praise could be high enough for Piers Lane whose playing throughout is of a superb musical intelligence, sensitivity, and scintillating brilliance.” Bryce Morrison, Gramophone
We are thrilled that Piers is available to join us again at Chetham’s for a solo recital and teaching on the faculty.
Five times soloist at the BBC Proms, Piers Lane’s wide-ranging concerto repertoire exceeds one hundred works and has led to engagements with many of the world’s great orchestras, working recently with conductors like Sir Andrew Davis, Vassily Sinaisky, Gerard Schwartz and Brett Dean. Festival appearances have included Aldeburgh, Bard, Bath Mostly Mozart, Bergen, Cheltenham, Como Autumn Music, Prague Spring, Rockport, La Roque d’Anthéron, Ruhr Klavierfestival, Schloss vor Husum, Seattle and the Chopin festivals in Warsaw, Duszniki-Zdrój, Mallorca and Paris.

Late Night Participant recitals
2026-08-19 22:00 - 23:00
Late night recital opportunities in all of the recital halls throughout the school. 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.

Baronial Hall

Late Night Jazz Room
2026-08-19 22:00 - 23:30 | G04
Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy late -night jazz- either listening or playing yourself.
Enjoy a drink and soak up the atmosphere.

Early Morning Warm Ups with Murray
2026-08-20 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.
A new early morning series of 15 minute group sessions in the Atrium led by founder and artistic director Murray McLachlan. Open to everyone on the course, the sessions will include a variety of ‘bite size’ projects, concepts and exercises relating to piano well-being and mindset as well as glimpses of repertoire. Embrace the unfamiliar! Look at well-loved music from different perspectives! Above all, start your CIPSS day in style with a real sense of positivity, energy and optimistic purpose.

Drop in practice workshop
2026-08-20 08:45 - 09:30 | G06
Start the day with a helpful workshop for everyone who needs a little support with practising.
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.

Junior Piano Group Class
2026-08-20 08:45 - 09:30 | Oglesby Atrium
Join your friends for a group workshop session – singing, movement, listening and much more to start your day with renewed energy.

Dalcroze Group Classes
2026-08-20 08:45 - 10:15 | Gym
Discover how to use the body as a tool for musical perception, preparation, and performance.
Experience a liberating and joyful approach to music that will transform your creativity. Dalcroze provides a powerful route to musical expression – and it is also a lot of fun!
We welcome back Alison Wise to take the classes in dalcroze. Please tick the box on the application form to reserve a place in the class.

Teaching session 1
2026-08-20 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.

Stoller Hall Professional Film Recording
2026-08-20 09:00 - 12:00
Outstanding acoustics, a pristine Model D Steinway – tuned and ready to play, together with a cutting‑edge recording company combine to deliver the ultimate experience.
With the renowned Mill Media in the award winning Stoller Hall. Please book early as spaces are limited.

Junior Course 'drop in' practice workshop
2026-08-20 09:30 - 10:15 | G06
A great way to set up the day with tips on every aspect of piano practising from a member of the faculty. Drop in for 5 minutes or the whole workshop and learn from listening to everyone. Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity!

Scales and exercises 'drop in' workshop
2026-08-20 10:15 - 11:00 | G06
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
2026-08-20 11:30 - 13:00 | G06
A chance for adult amateur pianists to perform in a relaxed, encouraging environment with Kathryn Page. Whether you share a single phrase or a complete piece, you’ll find support in overcoming nerves.

Teaching session 2
2026-08-20 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!

Lunchtime Recital
2026-08-20 13:45 - 14:30 | Stoller Hall
The daily lunchtime recital. Details announced soon.

Alim Beisembayev – winner of the 2021 Leeds International Piano Competition

The Art of Four Hands workshop
2026-08-20 14:45 - 15:30 | G06
A new daily workshop dedicated to the art of piano duo playing – both duets and 2 pianos.
Bring your duo ready to perform, or simply enjoy the thrill of sightreading together in a supportive atmosphere. Everyone welcome – there will always be someone ready to join you at the piano.
Do drop in and explore the wonderfully rich duo repertoire.

Marie, Margaret, Caroline and Douglas performing a world premiere in 2025.

Teaching session 3
2026-08-20 14:45 - 17:00
The third teaching session of the day. While your individual lessons keep you busy, the summer school’s ‘open door’ policy opens up a world of extra learning and inspiration—come and see what’s happening beyond your own timetable.

Marta Karbownicka

Junior Course 'drop in' performance class
2026-08-20 15:30 - 16:15 | G06
A wonderful opportunity to perform on a beautiful grand piano in front of a small, friendly audience.

'Drop in' performance class
2026-08-20 16:15 - 17:00 | G06
Each day offers a relaxed performance opportunity—play for others, hear fellow pianists, and enjoy the supportive atmosphere with a faculty member hosting.

25 for 25 - part two
2026-08-20 17:15 - 18:00 | Stoller Hall
To celebrate the summer school’s 25th course we are thrilled to present a very special recital series.
Full details will be released early in the new year – but we can promise excitement, surprises, innovation and performances that will thrill.
Keep an eye out for more details.

Noriko Ogawa Recital
2026-08-20 19:00 - 20:00 | Stoller Hall
We are thrilled to welcome back Noriko Ogawa for a solo recital.
“What sets her apart from other pianists is her wonderful sense of timing… [Ogawa] allows the music to breathe, while maintaining the forward momentum” The Times
“…poetry as well as virtuosity… what makes his playing so complete is the combination of an innate musical simplicity with a highly developed technique… ” Daily Telegraph
Brahms
Op 117 Three Intermezzi

Intermezzo in E♭ major
Intermezzo in B♭ minor
Intermezzo in C♯ minor

Op 118 Six pieces for piano

Intermezzo in A minor
Intermezzo in A major
Ballade in G minor
Intermezzo in F minor
Romanze in F major
Intermezzo in E♭ minor

Op 119 Four pieces for piano

Intermezzo in B minor
Intermezzo in E minor
Intermezzo in C major
Rhapsody in E♭ major

Ronan O'Hora Recital
2026-08-20 20:30 - 21:30 | Stoller Hall
We are thrilled to welcome back Ronan O’Hora, who has been on the faculty many times from the very 1st course 25 years ago!
“His sound is lustrous; his playing is lyrical and full of feeling; he thinks not only of the passing notes but of the overall form. Moreover, O’Hora is blessed with meticulous taste – there was not a vulgar, swooning or overstated passage in the program.”
The Washington Post
The British pianist Ronan O’Hora has performed throughout the world, playing with such orchestras as the London Philharmonic, Philharmonia Orchestra, the BBC Symphony, Royal Philharmonic and English Chamber orchestras, the Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields, Hallé Orchestra, Indianapolis Symphony, Zurich Tonhalle, Netherlands Radio Chamber, Philharmonia Hungarica, Brno Philharmonic, Winnipeg Symphony, Florida Philharmonic and Queensland Philharmonic.
Ronan O’Hora is Head of Keyboard Studies and Head of Advanced Performance Studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.

Late Night Jazz Room
2026-08-20 22:00 | 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.

Late Night Participant Recitals
2026-08-20 22:00 - 23:00
A wonderful opportunity to listen to fellow participants performing recitals around the school. There may be up to 6 recitals taking place at the same time.

Early Morning Warm Ups with Murray
2026-08-21 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!

Drop in practice workshop
2026-08-21 08:45 - 09:30 | G06
The final chance to get extra help with any aspect of practising!
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.
