Registration is on the following dates:

CIPSS Part 1

13:00 – 15.00 on Wednesday 13th August in the Ogelsby Atrium, Chetham’s school of music. 

CIPSS Part 2
13:00 to 15:00 on Monday 18th  August in the Ogelsby Atrium, Chetham’s school of music. 

If you are travelling from abroad and need to arrive a day early, there are many local hotels in the vicinity. The closest is the Premier Inn Deansgate or Hotel Indigo

CIPSS Part 1 will end around  11.30am on the 18th August after morning participant recitals.

CIPSS Part 2 will end around  11.30am on the 23rd August after morning participant recitals.

NB If you are taking a Trinity Exam or Performance Diploma you may need to stay into the afternoon depending on the number of entries.

The main difference is the much more informal performance opportunities to participants on the Adult course. There are daily discussions about subjects that are of particular interest to this course e.g performance anxiety, memory, how to practice, suitable repertoire. All of this happens in a supportive and encouraging atmosphere. Participants on this course are allocated the teacher by the summer school administration.

Participants on the piano course have the option to select up to 4 teachers with whom they are interested in studying with. We will do our very best to accommodate your preferences. 

With such a large and inspirational faculty, many participants take advantage and study with several teachers during their stay. For one course of piano (three hours) one teacher is usually allocated. If more than one course of piano is booked the lessons will most likely be with two teachers. It is also possible to request individual lessons with a different teacher each time. On the piano course it is possible to choose 4 names that you are interested in studying with. If possible we try to allocate your preferences, but it is not always possible. As everything is open to observe it is always possible to learn from every teacher working on the course.

If wish your time to be allocated with individual teachers please email Kathryn who schedules all of the lessons.

All information regarding allocation of teacher, concerts, extra classes etc will be emailed prior to the course. We will do our best to accommodate your preferences.

CIPSS

The standard course fee includes a daily individual lesson totalling three hours during one part, plus opportunities to play in workshops with your teacher,  and daily ‘drop in’ performance  and practise classes.

Extra  lessons can be booked in addition to the many other courses available including theory, aural, sightreading, jazz, organ, harpsichord, composition etc. Have a look at the options here.

Of course all lessons are open to watch, offering over 6 hours of tuition every day from all of the incredible faculty. 

Many people do 2 or 3 courses. Each course gives you 3 hours of individual lessons therefore if you did 3 courses on part one you would have 9 hours of individual lessons plus up to 7 hours of additional workshops. 

There are also less intense options to add on such as Dalcroze, alexander technique, aural etc.

You can also book just 1 or 2 lessons on another course – options on the application form.

If you are keen to try other courses it is best to book when applying because the courses always become full.

Have a look at all the course options here.

Limited scholarships are available for talented young pianists in financial need.

To apply please email a link to a representative recording of your playing, 2 references (one from your teacher) and evidence of family finances.  

If you are a full time music student at university or conservatoire, please send in proof of your student status.

Other evidence of financial circumstances could include the latest household tax statement, benefit statement etc.

All timetables will be emailed to participants in advance of the course taking place.

Under 18’s are very welcome on CIPSS, but they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times. Family en-suite rooms  are available in the school for any children wishing to stay as residents with their family.

Non resident under 18 participants can bring one adult guardian in every day for FREE – this includes all the recitals and lectures.

All ages are welcome on the course. Under 18’s will be accompanied by a parent or adult guardain and therefore we can accept very young children.

Last year we had several 5 and 6 year old as well as many under 11.

Each year there are many under 18’s and we are renowned for being an incredibly friendly summer school. One year a rather shy teenager said that he couldn’t believe how friendly we all were and couldn’t wait to come back.

Chetham’s is a boarding school and it is possible to have a very large number of participants staying at the school. All residential participants sleep in the school.  Accommodation is in single, twin, family or dormitory style rooms. Many rooms have ensuite facilities.  Together with a 24 hour security guards this ensures a safe and happy environment. This fantastic social atmosphere ensures that the summer school will provide many happy memories. Many regulars say it is the highlight of their year.

The Chetham’s Summer School is not competitive in any way and the artistic Director, Murray McLachlan, thinks of it as one big happy piano family. There are always a wide range of abilities, but the atmosphere is one of support and encouragement. We welcome everyone who loves the piano and no audition is required.

With over 100 new practice rooms everyone is given a room for the week and they are open from 6am to midnight. Everyone shares a room and sorts out when to practise with each other. There is no additional cost for the use of the room. There is also a resident piano tuner who can sort out any problems that may arise.

This is absolutely fine and there will always be someone keen to take up the place.

If you change your mind and want to book extra courses or more lessons please email Kathryn to let her know your choices.

It is best to do this as soon as possible because courses do become full.

The schedule of lessons and evening recitals is very stimulating and exciting. All events are included in the course fees. Some participants do attend everything, but of course you are free to choose to only go to some of the lectures and recitals.

With so many incredible recitals all taking place on the course, we would urge you to come along and hear the live recitals and lectures, rather than staying in the practise room.

Fo all summer school participants and observers the recitals are included in the fee.

General public can buy tickets for all recitals and lectures at the Stoller Hall Website.

A bath and hand towel are provided, as is all bed linen. Dress code is informal, although if you are playing in a participant recital or making a recording, you might like to bring something suitably smart.

You can choose to bring several works/pieces for your lessons or just one. You can decide if you want to work in great detail on a small repertoire or get lots of ideas on many pieces to take away with you to work in detail after the course. It is entirely up to individuals how much they want to get through in the lessons. Obviously the more prepared the pieces are, the deeper the voyage of discovery can be!

The deposit for securing your place is non-refundable. Taking out travel insurance to cover the loss of fees paid if you have to cancel due to illness is recommended.

If the course is full the deposit will be returned.

If a place cannot be offered due to the course being full, the deposit will be refunded.