BENEDETTI FOUNDATION

MINI SESSIONS

Music Students (Conservatoire and University) and Recent Graduates

March

January

February

January

Getting into Teaching: Where to Start?

Monday 18 and 25 January and 1 February

7.30-8.30pm GMT

In this three-part session, we will be working with students and recent graduates on where to begin when getting into teaching. 

Session 1: Where to Start? Building and Growing a Teaching Practice

Session 2: Tips for Teaching Beginners – for this session we will split into Upper and Lower Strings

Session 3: Working with Parents and Communities

Joelle Broad

Stewart Wilson

Rachel Cooper

Andrea Gajic

David Munn

Introduction to Conducting

Saturday 23 and 30 January

3-4pm GMT

Natalia Luis-Bassa

Alex Laing

Teaching Upper Strings Bowing Technique

Tuesday 26 January and 2 February

7.30-8.30pm GMT

In these two sessions we will share some ideas on teaching techniques and exercises for developing your student’s bowing technique on both violin and viola. We’ll begin by looking at beginner basics, then working on martele and detache before progressing through to more advanced spiccato, sautille, ricochet and more. We will also be discussing the similarities and differences in teaching these techniques to violinists and violists.

Exploring Duo Sonatas for Violin and Piano

Saturday 30 January and 6 February

4.30-5.30pm GMT

Join violinist Elena Urioste and pianist Tom Poster for the first part of a new series exploring sonatas for violin and piano. We’ll be exploring the give-and-take, collaborative phrasing and beauty of sound in Brahms Sonata for Piano and Violin in G major. Then on week two discovering more about Debussy Sonata for Violin and Piano as we look at creative use of tone colour, characterisation and different approaches to French and German music. These sessions are aimed at advanced violinists and pianists and are open to older teenagers (recommended approx. age 15+), students and teachers.

Elena Urioste

Tom Poster

February

Music and Mindfulness

Thursday 11 February

7.30-8.30pm GMT

In this session, we will be working with flautist and mindfulness expert, Lee Holland, looking at music and mindfulness. For teachers, this will provide you the opportunity not only to experience the benefits for yourself, but also how to pass this on to your students. Music students, recent graduates and adult learners are all invited to join this session.

Lee Holland

March

Interpretation and Analysis – Violinists

Tuesday 2 and 9 March

7.30-8.30pm GMT

These sessions are suitable for young people approximately age 15+, music students, recent graduates and instrumental teachers. In these sessions we will be focusing on two pieces of violin repertoire: Allemande from Bach’s D minor Partita and Mozart Violin Concerto in G major, movement 1. Through these two pieces of repertoire, we will share how simple musical analysis and understanding of context can shape ideas of interpretation and improve a performer’s ability to memorise and tell a convincing story.

Interpretation and Analysis – Cellists

Tuesday 2 and 9 March

6-7pm GMT

These sessions are suitable for young people approximately age 15+, music students, recent graduates and instrumental teachers. In these sessions, we will be focusing on two pieces of cello repertoire: Prelude, Sarabande and Gigue from Bach’s 1st Cello Suite and Haydn Cello Concerto in C major, movement 1. Through these two pieces of repertoire, Robin will explore how simple musical analysis and understanding of context can shape ideas of interpretation and improve a performer’s ability to memorise and tell a convincing story.

Exploring Brahms' Cello and Piano Sonatas

Thursday 4 and 11 March 

7.30-8.30pm GMT

Join cellist Leonard Elschenbroich and pianist Alexei Grynyuk for a two part series exploring Brahms' Piano and Cello sonatas. During these sessions, we'll be delving into the relationship between piano and cello, the context and character of the repertoire, interpretation and analysis of some chosen movements, as well as hearing performances from Leonard and Alexei. These sessions are for advanced cellists and pianists and are open to older teenages (recommended approx. age 15+), students, teachers and advanced adult players. 

Leonard Elschenbroich

Alexei Grynyuk