International Classical Guitar Festival 2024
17 to 22 August 2024

The carefully planned and highly varied programme will appeal to all enthusiasts, from grade two level experience all the way to advanced . The course is open to anyone aged eighteen (18) and over.

Ensemble playing
These sessions provide important awareness of reading and listening skills, and they also help with rhythm and counting.  Participants are allocated a place in a medium-sized ensemble with students of a similar standard.  The course concludes with a performance by the ensembles on the Thursday morning. Please note that ensemble music will be given out during the first rehearsal, not in advance.

Guitar Orchestra
This year, the orchestra welcomes the return of Gerald Garcia as guest conductor. These exciting rehearsals with a larger group of players culminate in a final performance at the end of course concert. Orchestral parts will be emailed out in advance.

Masterclasses
In 2024 we are pleased to offer soloist masterclasses with Paul Galbraith and Berta Rojas. (N.B. All masterclasses require a video audition; details on how to apply will be found in the Musical Details Form. The deadline for applications is 21 June 2024.)

Private lessons
Each course participant will receive two 30-minute individual lessons. Please note that playing in a Masterclass is regarded as one lesson.

Repertoire Classes
These are sessions where students may perform 'own choice' solo or small ensemble pieces to a small group of fellow students. Followed by some positive feedback from the tutor and an open discussion about the chosen repertoire.

Student Concerts
These concerts provide a great opportunity for course members to try out their pieces in public, and this year will again include an informal debut recital for those students for whom this would be their first public performance. There will be three lunchtime concerts, plus an evening concert on Wednesday.

Technique Workshops
These increasingly popular ‘question and answer’ classes provide students with the opportunity to discuss, and find ways to improve, a variety of technical issues.

Learning Zones
These consist of a series of lectures and practical workshops covering a wide range of musical and technical aspects of guitar performance.

Alexander Technique – optional extra with an additional charge*

This year we are pleased again to be able to offer one-to-one Alexander Technique sessions with Carolyn Nicholls, a world-renowned Alexander Technique expert who loves working with musicians.

(*Individual 30-minute lessons are available on Monday and Tuesday – £40 each. To pre-book a place, please indicate on the Musical Details Form and you will need to pay Carolyn directly at your session, by cash only.)