About

Welcome to the Summer School for Pianists!

Sunday 8th – Saturday 14th August 2027

Stowe School, Buckingham, MK18 5EH

Artistic Directors: Karl Lutchmayer, Christine Stevenson

Guest tutors: Graham Fitch, Jill Morton, Martin Cousin

Guest lecturer: Paul Harris

For 50 years, this Summer School has established a unique place amongst an ever-growing number of summer schools being held each year throughout the British Isles.

In what way is this Summer School so special?

It combines an atmosphere of friendliness with musical expertise, creating a most positive and rewarding week. People of a very wide range of pianistic levels can meet and enjoy all that’s good about music-making, without any unhealthy competitiveness or feelings of inadequacy. Participants return year after year to this keenly anticipated annual event. The incomparable splendour of Stowe House set in 250 acres of gardens landscaped by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, the excellent facilities of the All Steinway music department of Stowe School, a warm welcome, studies with leading experts, recitals by staff and students, good food, ensuite accommodation and a final gala dinner in the State Music Room, make this course both memorable and inspiring.

Do feel free to investigate the breadth and depth of the piano repertoire, but our optional theme in 2027 for repertoire consideration is ‘Out of your Comfort Zone‘ – a personal exploration of musical areas which are as yet unvisited.

Staff recitals will include works by Couperin, Bach, Beethoven (including his Hammerklavier Sonata), Liszt,  Brahms, Debussy, Ravel, Poulenc and Messiaen as well as a performance of Schumann’s song cycle Liederkreis by baritone Brian White and pianist Graham Fitch, songs from which will be featured in the Accompanists’ Class overseen by Martin Cousin.

In recent courses, the tutor presentations, Piano Matters, have been especially praised for making the course even more attractive for performing participants and for observers as well. Piano Matters topics for 2027 will include Graham Fitch speaking on ‘The Pitfalls of Mechanical Practice’, Jill Morton discussing Performance Anxiety – ‘But I can play it Perfectly at Home!’, Karl Lutchmayer introducing ‘The Salon Piano – a Force Majeure’ and a visit from internationally acclaimed guest lecturer, Paul Harris.

New for 2027 – Musical Aperitifs at 5.45pm

Christine Stevenson presents ‘Out with the Old, In with the New’ on approaches to reworking previously studied repertoire as well as learning new pieces

Martin Cousin presents ‘Beethoven’s Hammerklavier Sonata – Unwrapped!’

Watch this space for further events!

There are eight thirty-minute solo recital opportunities – Platforms – available for a modest charge, and four student concerts for solo or duet items.

And there will be time to explore the grounds, play a round of golf on the 9-hole golf course (green fees apply), have a game of tennis (please bring your own racquets and tennis balls) or, for an additional fee, enjoy a guided tour of Stowe House.

As usual, each participant will be allotted three thirty-minute slots totalling 1.5 hours in their masterclasses during the week. All are welcome to visit other classes to observe. Private lessons can be booked with each of the tutors for an additional fee. Those applying for a place on the summer school must be at least 18 years of age.