Chetham’s International Piano Summer School

Junior Foundation 'drop in' performance class
2025-08-19 14:45 - 15:30 (Europe/London) | G06
Part two continues with the first drop in performance class for the Junior Foundation pianists.
A great opportunity to play on a beautiful grand piano in front of a small, friendly audience.

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

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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!

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.

Welcome for Piano Teacher Course
2025-08-18 15:30 - 16:30 | G09
Come and meet course leader Sally Cathcart , Director of the Piano Teachers’ Course UK and other participants on the Teachers Course. A chance to find out about the exciting plans for the course and to get to know each other a little before the opening recital at 5pm.

Participants from the very 1st Teacher Course.

Noriko Ogawa Recital
2025-08-17 20:30 - 21:30 | 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
To mark 100 years since the death of Erik Satie in 1925, Noriko will perform a programme dedicated to this wonderful composer.
ERIK SATIE 1866 – 1925
GNOSSIENNE 1, 2, 3,
SONATINE BUREAUCRATIQUE
Allegro
Andante
Vivace
RELÂCHE
Premier Acte
cinéma (excerpt)
Deuxième Acte

Gala Faculty Recital
2025-08-17 19:00 - 20:00 | Stoller Hall
The now traditional Gala Recital featuring outstanding members of the faculty. An exciting and varied programme guaranteed.
Free for all summer school participants. Tickets available for the public from the Stoller Hall.

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

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.

'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.

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!

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.

Lunchtime Recital - Jeremy Chan and Xu Peng
2025-08-17 13:45 - 14:30 | Stoller Hall
The final lunchtime recital on part one.
We are delighted to welcome Jeremy Chan and Xu Peng to perform today’s recital. They are both students at the Guildhall School of Music.
Jeremy Chan Franck Prelude, Chorale and Fugue
Xu Peng York Bowen Sonata No 5 in F minor
Jeremy Chan is a pianist based in London. He is currently pursuing an Artist Diploma at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama studying with Noriko Ogawa, Charles Owen and Ronan O’Hora. Jeremy holds a Masters degree from the Guildhall School with Concert Recital Diploma as well as a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Durham University.
Jeremy has been playing the piano since he was six and has studied in prestigious institutions such as the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts and the Royal Academy of Music. He obtained his Licentiate Diploma in Piano Performance in 2014. In 2024, he won both piano prizes at the Guildhall School: the Beethoven Prize and the Romantic Prize. He was also awarded Second Prize at the Tunbridge Wells International Music Competition. Other accolades include First Prize at the North London Festival and Second Prize at the Watford International Piano Competition. In July 2023, he made his concerto debut at St John’s Smith Square with the London City Orchestra playing Rachmaninov’s Second Piano Concerto. This summer, he was invited to work with pianist Angela Hewitt for a week in Italy.

Xu Peng started playing piano at the age of four. In 2008, he entered the Central Conservatory of
Music in Beijing, where he studied with Zhang Zhiwei. He received his MM and BM in the class
of Jon Kimura Parker at Rice University ( Houston, TX), where he also graduated with a Minor in
French Studies and a Special Distinction in Creative Research. Peng is currently pursuing an AD
degree at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama ( London) under the tutelage of Noriko Ogawa
and Ronan O’Hora.
Peng is the winner at the Tunbridge Wells International Music Competition and the Macau-Asia
International Piano Competition. Recently, Peng was also awarded the Golden Hand Prize with
Special Jury Mention at the Carlos & Sofia Piano Competition, and Second Prize at the William
Knabe Piano Concerto Competition.
On the 150th anniversary of Franz Liszt, Peng was invited to perform in the celebrational concert
at the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing. His interest in contemporary music has led to
collaborations with composers and visual artists, presenting new compositions in thematic recitals
and interdisciplinary productions at the Moody Center for the Visual Art in Houston. In 2019,
Peng made his concerto debut with Khachaturian’s Piano Concerto in D-flat Minor.

Tickets available through the Stoller Hall. Free to all summer school participants and observers.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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!

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.

Freddy Kempf Recital
2025-08-16 20:30 - 21:30 | Stoller Hall
Freddy Kempf is one of today’s most successful pianists performing to sell-out audiences all over the world. Exceptionally gifted with an unusually broad repertoire, Freddy has built a unique reputation as an explosive and physical performer who is not afraid to take risks as well as a serious, sensitive and profoundly musical artist.Most recent career highlights include Freddy’s debut at the BBC Proms, an extensive Asian tour including the Seoul Arts Centre and PyeongChang Chamber Music Festival in South Korea; the Esplanade Concert Hall in Singapore; and concerto appearances with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Taiwan National Symphony, RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra and Bergen Philharmonic.
A committed recitalist, Freddy has appeared in many of the world’s most important concert halls including the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatoire, the Berlin Konzerthaus, Milan’s Sala Verdi, the Concertgebouw, London’s Cadogan and Barbican, Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall, the Sydney Opera House and Tokyo’s Suntory Hall. This season’s recital highlights include appearances at the Birmingham International Piano Series, Moscow’s House of Music, and the Great Hall of Moscow Conservatory.
We are delighted to welcome Freddy to the course for the first time, together with his debut at Stoller Hall.
Brahms 6 Klavierstücke, Op.118
Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition

Freddy Kempf photographed in Manchester, January 2024

Margaret Fingerhut Recital
2025-08-16 19:00 - 20:00 | Stoller Hall
“One of the most radiantly musical of pianists, she plays with such alluring sensitivity & effortless command that one cannot help but be won over” – International Piano
Described by Gramophone magazine as a pianist of “consummate skill and thrilling conviction”, Margaret Fingerhut has a distinguished career which has taken her all over the world. She is particularly known for her innovative recital programmes in which she explores the highways and byways of the piano repertoire. As a concerto soloist she has appeared with the London Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and the London Mozart Players, in major venues such as the Royal Festival Hall, Royal Albert Hall and the Barbican. She is often heard on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM and many radio stations worldwide.
Viktor Kosenko – Nocturne-Fantasie Op.4
Boris Lyatoshinsky – Two Preludes on Ukrainian Folk Songs
Malcolm Arnold – Variations on a Ukrainian Folksong Op.9
Valentin Silvestrov – Three Bagatelles Op.1
Mykola Lysenko – ‘Dumka-Shumka’ Rhapsody No.2 on Ukrainian Themes

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

'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.
