A relaxed and intense weekend of quartet playing, with coaching from a professional quartet including Lucy Russell, Andrew Roberts, Ursula Smith and Nick Roberts, for accomplished groups who play together regularly.
ABILITY: CONFIDENT, SKILFUL
Resident: £412 Non-Resident: £302 (25% off for under 27s) Code: 26/212
Members priority booking opens at 9am on Tuesday 17 June.
General booking opens at 9am on Friday 11 July.
For details on how to become a Member to take advantage of early booking, see here.
This course runs from 5.30pm on Friday 20 February to 4pm on Sunday 22 February 2026.
What is the course about?
The Fitzwilliam Quartet returns to Benslow Music to deliver another of their immersive and supportive courses. Once again we welcome applications from pre-formed string quartets, each of which will receive friendly, individually tailored tutoring from each member of the quartet. There’s also a public concert which takes place on the Friday and entry is included as part of the course package.
Tutor website: www.fitzwilliamquartet.com
What will we cover?
Most aspects of quartet playing will be discussed, including leading, achieving good ensemble, balance and intonation, exploring tonal colours, phrasing and musical style.
What will we accomplish? By the end of this course you will be able to…
You will have achieved a good working knowledge of your chosen work(s), enabling you to fulfil your potential, and will have discussed ideas about how to rehearse together more productively. There are no ‘quick fixes’ in performing chamber music, but you will get many useful tips that come from the tutors’ years of experience.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Confident, Skilful
How will the course be taught, and will any preparation be required?
You will receive a coaching session from each of the four members of the Fitzwilliam Quartet. You will find the course most beneficial if you are well prepared both individually and as a group. By all means choose repertoire which will challenge you, but please also try to be realistic when selecting the works to be studied.
Will music be provided in advance of the course?
No, participants are requested to bring their own music. Helpful resources: IMSLP has a wide range of parts and scores. Benslow Music members may be able to borrow music from our library.
Is there anything I need to bring?
Music: parts and a full score of the work(s) you are studying.
What previous participants said about this course…
“Superb - probably the best music course I have been on.”
“A wonderful musical experience.”
“Intensive music-making. A soul-expanding experience.”
“All four coaching sessions were very intense and helpful. The tutors were very encouraging and challenged us to improve our interpretation of the chosen piece.”