Chamber Music at The Music Summer School and Festival
Chamber Music at The Music Summer School and Festival
Play. Listen. Collaborate. Discover.
Chamber music for instrumentalists sits at the heart of our Summer School.
It is where listening becomes instinctive, where leadership is shared, and where musical ideas are shaped in real time through collaboration. Whether you arrive as a pre-formed ensemble or as an individual player ready to be matched with others, our chamber programme offers expert coaching across a wide range of styles—from Baroque to contemporary—led by outstanding performers.
Below is a glimpse of the artists and ensembles who will guide this year’s chamber music experience.
Piano and Chamber Collaboration
Anna Tilbrook and Tim Horton
Renowned as two of Britain’s leading collaborative pianists, Anna and Tim both bring exceptional insight into ensemble playing, balance, and musical storytelling. Their coaching centres on developing ensemble awareness and communication, shaping phrasing through close attention to text and interpretation, refining detail within broader musical structures, and building confidence in effective, thoughtful rehearsal techniques that strengthen both individual contribution and collective artistry. Their sessions are invaluable for pianists and mixed chamber groups alike.
String Chamber Music
Wihan Quartet and Ensemble 360
Two fabulous ensembles provide string coaching for the chamber music programme. Internationally celebrated for their depth of sound and stylistic authority, the Wihan Quartet (Leoš Čepický, Jan Schulmeister, Jakub Čepicky, and Michal Kaňka) offer intensive coaching for both established quartets and individual string players. Ensemble 360 is one of the UK’s most versatile and respected chamber ensembles, renowned for its vibrant programming, exceptional artistry, and deep commitment to collaborative music-making. Working with their string principals (Benjamin Nabarro, Rachel Roberts, Gemma Rosefield and Levi Andressen) you will gain understanding of blend, balance and intonation, ensemble leadership and rehearsal strategy, stylistic clarity across repertoire, and a deeper structural understanding. Together, they create a dynamic and supportive environment for string players at every stage.
Winds and Mixed Chamber Music
Wind chamber coaching is delivered by the wind principals of Ensemble 360: Adrian Wilson, Robert Plane, Angharad Thomas and Benjamin Hartnell-Booth bringing their internationally recognised chamber expertise, stylistic versatility, and finely honed ensemble skills to mixed wind and chamber repertoire. Their coaching explores blend and colour in wind writing, cultivating precision and clarity of articulation while working across repertoire from the Classical period to contemporary works. Emphasis is placed on collaborative listening and responsive ensemble playing within mixed chamber settings.
Early Music and Historically Informed Performance
Claire Williams – Harpsichord & Early Music
The Brook Street Band – Early Music Ensemble
For those drawn to Baroque and early repertoire, our historically informed strand offers specialist guidance in ornamentation and stylistic awareness, continuo playing and leadership, an understanding of dance forms and musical rhetoric, and the refinement of clear, responsive ensemble communication within small forces. This strand provides a rich exploration of period style within a practical chamber setting.
Brass and Saxophone
Our brass and saxophone chamber music programme offers focused, high-level ensemble training. Brass coaching with Paul Archibald and Roger Argente develops precision, tonal blend, repertoire awareness and confident leadership. Saxophone ensemble sessions with Huw Wiggin explore balance across the family, articulation, stylistic flexibility and cohesive, assured performance.
A Chamber Music Community
What makes our chamber music offer distinctive is not only the calibre of artists, but the collaborative spirit of the course. Throughout the week, participants immerse themselves in small ensemble coaching and faculty-led workshops, alongside both informal and formal performance opportunities. Cross-genre collaboration is actively encouraged, all within a supportive yet ambitious musical atmosphere that challenges, inspires and nurtures artistic growth.
Chamber music teaches far more than precision and polish. It builds trust, responsiveness, leadership and artistic curiosity. It challenges musicians to listen deeply and to contribute meaningfully.
Throughout your chamber music journey at the Summer School, our Chamber Music Co-ordinator, Rhiannon Evans, provides expert guidance and support, ensuring your experience is the best you could hope for.