As a performer and teacher, I am passionate about the art of chamber music. I have had the great pleasure of working alongside many world class chamber musicians as a student and as a colleague. I am devoted to passing on my expertise in this field. I have coached several young chamber musicians, numerous adult string quartets, as well as setting up and conducting an amateur adult string orchestra.
We wanted to say thank you very much for our coaching yesterday. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience (not frightening at all in fact!) and felt that we learned a lot. Your pointers as to the interpretation of the music and demonstrations of how to play this, were really helpful. We will now make a greater effort to listen to each other rather than just concentrate on the notes in front of us!"
First Violinist from an adult amateur string quartet
“We thoroughly enjoyed our coaching session with you. Your technical bowing tips were illuminating. You were able to put us all at ease and we really appreciated your skill in doing so.”
Cellist from adult amateur string quartet
Quartettino's Journey
In my role as Bath Strings Academy Co-Director, I have been responsible for coaching a junior string quartet, Quartettino, to great success. The players, who started chamber music in January 2018 aged 8 – 13, won the Year 8 and Under class with Distinction in the Mid-Somerset Festival (MSF) in their first public outing. They were subsequently nominated to take part in the National Festival for Music For Youth in Birmingham in July 2018.
Wow. You play with finesse and musicianship (and quality of sound) that belies your (presumably) tender years! I am seriously impressed and marvel at your potential.
Scarborough Fair was very beautiful and you all played your part…. Mostly though I think it is incredible that you all contribute so evenly across the group… I enjoyed “What’s That?” very much indeed. It really suited you. I was amazed that you played the difficult cross rhythms with such ease…. You met every technical challenge with a kind of nonchalance that I found really impressive. You listen to each other very carefully and watch each other brilliantly...”
Adjudication of Quartettino's performance in Mid-Somerset Festival 2018
Patrick Bailey – Music Mentor for Music For Youth, Conductor of Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London Sinfonietta, Philharmonia, Britten Sinfonia and many others
In 2019 the group won the Open Chamber Class at MSF with Distinction, also scooping the £100 Jennifer Paterson Prize for the ‘Most Promising Chamber Ensemble’ from all the participants across 9 classes.
"This group kept rhythmic and understood this very complex structure. Your communication with each other was outstanding. An elegant and highly enjoyable performance."
Kathryn Hardman – Adjudicator Mid-Somerset Festival commenting on Quartettino’s performance of Haydn Op. 20 No. 3 first movement.
"This group kept rhythmic and understood this very complex structure. Your communication with each other was outstanding. An elegant and highly enjoyable performance."
Kathryn Hardman – Adjudicator Mid-Somerset Festival commenting on Quartettino’s performance of Haydn Op. 20 No. 3 first movement.
Chamber music coaching is available for all sizes of group from trios to octets, with strings, winds and piano. I can make home visits to smaller ensembles, whilst for larger groups, venue hire is an option. I can coach pre-formed groups wishing to work on specific repertoire. Alternatively, individuals, both adults and children, can get in touch about forming new groups which we may be able to facilitate.
Bath Strings Academy runs regular sessions for adult amateurs who wish to learn chamber music repertoire but who perhaps do not have a regular quartet in which to play together. Details of these events will be posted here and can be booked via the Bath Strings Academy website.
Bath Strings Academy runs regular sessions for adult amateurs who wish to learn chamber music repertoire but who perhaps do not have a regular quartet in which to play together. Details of these events will be posted here and can be booked via the Bath Strings Academy website.
