Twice a year - at Christmas, and again in the summer - students take the stage. Each time there are three concerts back to back on the same day, so more students can perform. These are proper concerts: an audience, a hall, and a date in the year to work towards.
The weekly lesson is where the work is done. Family, friends and the rest of the conservatoire hear what that work has become.
Three concerts back to back on the same day as the autumn term ends. A full hall, and often a student's first performance of the year in front of an audience. It is a celebration, and it is the point of the work that has gone before.
Three concerts back to back on the same day as the year draws to a close. This is what much of the year's practice has been for: a programme, an audience, and music shared rather than kept in the lesson room.
Concerts are held at Ripley Arts Centre on Sundridge Avenue - a beautiful historic arts venue, a period house and gardens. Students perform in the Music Room, with a full-size grand piano and seating for up to 80. It is close to the conservatoire, and it gives the evening the sense of occasion the music deserves.
Afterwards, refreshments are served in the Stanley Follett Room, and the gardens are there to sit in for a while.
Photographs from concerts at Ripley Arts Centre.
Each membership lists what it includes. Only those lines are shown here.
Festival
Academy and Scholar memberships include festival entry as set out on each membership. Dates, classes and how to enter are on the festival page.
Dates are published as they are confirmed. Tell us about the student and we will share what is planned for the next concert at Ripley Arts Centre.