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Application Form & Guidelines, Fees, Housing and Meals etc
Schedule of concerts and public masterclasses

The Stamford International Music Festival, UK

“A European Retreat for Chamber Music”
July 27th - August 9th, 2008

The Stamford International Music Festival combines two weeks of intensive summer study for young professionals, and advanced students with an exciting array of concerts by international artists. Boasting an International faculty of American and British musicians, the festival provides musicians from around the world an idyllic venue in which to study and perform in the beautiful surroundings of the historic market town of Stamford, England, acknowledged as "the finest stone town in England". As the highlight of the two week chamber music camp, audiences can attend world class performances by the visiting faculty or come and hear the talented students as they perform in masterclasses and in the many festival concerts.

Presidents' Welcome

Acclaimed as one of Britain’s most distinguished violinists, Erich Gruenberg was born in Vienna. He continued his studies in Jerusalem and settled in London, after winning the Carl Flesch International Violin Competition at the age of 22. As a soloist he has appeared with all the major British orchestras and has toured throughout the world, collaborating with such conductors as Sir Colin Davis, Gennadi Roghdestvensky, Sir Simon Rattle, Sir Charles Mackerras and Andre Previn to mention but a few. Erich Gruenberg has held the posts of concertmaster of the London Symphony and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestras. His comprehensive activities in the field of chamber music, numerous recordings as well as premieres and commissions have enriched an outstanding career. Among his recordings for labels such as EMI, Decca, Argo, Chandos, L'Oiscau Lyre, Hyperion, Hungaroton, CRD and Lyrita, is a notable recording of Beethoven's Violin Concerto with the Philharmonia Orchestra. Also recorded is an album of Kreisler pieces with the same orchestra, and the first recording by a British artist of the complete Beethoven violin and piano sonatas, with pianist David Wilde. Erich Gruenberg is Professor at the Royal Academy of Music and chairman of the Jury and Artistic Panel of the 1998 Yehudi Menuhin International Competition for young violinists and the Hattori Trust Fund. He gives masterclasses and is invited to serve on juries around the world. In recognition of his continuing services to music he was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 1994.

I'd like to say how delighted I am you asked me to be associated with your summer academy as Honorary President. .. I do wish you all - staff, students and festival guests - most enjoyable days in Stamford.
Erich Gruenberg, OBE, Hon RAM, FGSM, FRAM

Stamford School

The old Stamford School and chapel

Photo © Stamford Living

The festival is held on the idyllic campus of Stamford School. Founded in 1532 on the site of an ancient Chapel by scholars from Oxford, Stamford School is recognized as one of England’s foremost private educational institutions. The School’s Old Chapel still lies at the center of a town campus that boasts beautiful views of the river Welland and a full array of modern facilities from a heated indoor swimming pool, to drama studios, sports grounds and music facilities.

Its historic beauty has made it a natural choice for film directors. In 1994 it was featured in the Masterpiece Theater Production of Middlemarch and in 2004 Stamford was used for the 2005 production of
"Pride & Prejudice"

If you would like tickets for the 2008 Festival Concerts, please visit our Events Page to request information or phone the Stamford Arts Centre on 01780 763 203


What they said:

A veritable feast of sound ... the acoustic properties of Stamford School's ancient Hall provided the perfect venue to appreciate these talented musicians
The Evening Telegraph

… Many congratulations ... The concerts have been thoroughly enjoyable, challenging, thought-provoking, fascinating and inspiring ….
Janet Johnson
Audience Member

…. A massive thank you... Your hard work has resulted in some marvelous musical evenings…
Jane & Bruce Wilson
Audience Members

I learned so much about myself and my playing abilities here, and it will help me tremendously in the future ...
Rachel Wilkinson
Violinist, Indiana

Thanks for a wonderful summer!
Marley Haller
Violinist, Illinois

I really want to thank you and everybody in Stamford for the experience. I feel like it was just what I needed to get "back in the game"...
Megan van Gomple
Violinist, Wisconsin

2008 Concert Schedule

see our full event listings

or visit the Stamford Arts Centre for Tickets

The 2007 festival brought a number of exciting new premiers top our audiences - Dutch composer Jacob TV, the young American composer Julia Carey, the English composer Nicholas Kenworthy Brown. As well as an adventurous program of new music the festival delighted audiences with an array of clasic repertoire, from Dvorak's Dumky Trio to wonderful performances of Mozart's delightful Kegelstadt Trio.

Come and join us in 2008 for an exciting series of concerts at Stamford School Hall and Stamford Arts Centre. Come and see our free educational events by our talented young professional musicians. In addition, the festival is delighted to collaborate with the Music @ St Martins for a third year, presenting two popular lunchtime concerts at St Martins Church, the High Street. Tickets are now on sale at the Stamford Arts Centre.

For full listings please visit our Events Page or purchase tickets from the Stamford Arts Centre

Festival Study

The dynamic members of the Castillon Trio act as the festival’s Ensemble-in-Residence, leading classes by a Faculty of International Musicians. Students of all ages attend the festival and follow a daily schedule of chamber music, private lessons, coachings or masterclasses in their instrument. Meals and lodging are provided and the Festivals' Concert Series offers the chance to hear professional performances by renowned faculty, as well as showcase student work to the public.

Younger members of the festival might consider bringing a parent or guardian as a "Festival Guest". Festival Guests can attend all the festival activities or enjoy the advantage of visiting some of the beautiful local sites on cultural trips to Cambridge, Peterborough and London and the many unspoiled villages of the famous Rutland Waters. Alternatively they can stay and explore the beauties of Stamford, celebrated in films and pictures.

Festival participants include prizewinning college music students at the undergraduate and graduate level, young professionals and gifted high school students. Attending in recent years were students from the the Amsterdam Conservatoire, Hartt School of Music, the Peabody Conservatory, the Unversity of Texas, the Guildhall School of Music, Northwestern University, the Royal Scottish Academy of Music, Royal Northern College, Longy School of Music, Valparaiso University, Royal Holloway College, and the University of San Angelo. To add to this diverse mix Festival Guests and audience members enjoyed an array of musical and cultural opportunities. For more information about past festivals visit our Picture Gallery and read our student comments throughout our
Application Guide.


Student Application Details:

If you would like more information on the application process or would like to find out more about the musical opportunities for participants at the festival please visit our

Application Guide!

The School Hall is the main concert venue for the festival
The School Hall by Night

 

 

2004 Participants

Mendelssohn Quintet
Rehearsal
Marley Haller (Northwestern University) and Andy Strietelmier (UT, Austin)
Faculty Rehearse
St. Mary's, one of numeours ancient churches inside the historic town centre
St Mary's
  
Wayman Chin in Rehearsal in the school hall

For information on any aspect of the festival please contact

US & Other Applicants

Dr. Andrew Smith,
Artistic Director
1 (219) 309 6213

UK & European Applicants

Lucy Kong, SIMF Education and PR
01780 764 258

The festival administration does not take accept liability for loss or damage to person or property and advises you take adequate insurance to cover your travel and stay.