Ashford Sinfonia

Adult string players (violin, viola, cello and double bass) are invited to join The Benedetti Foundation for our Benedetti Sessions Day for Adult String Players in person at Manor House School, Leatherhead, Surrey.

Working with the Foundation’s Tutors including Alex Laing (violin), Clifton Harrison (viola) and Alice Kent (double bass), we will explore two pieces of music: Florence Price’s Adoration (arr. T. Poster) and Grieg’s Holberg Suite, 1st movement.

During the day, we will be focusing on expression, sound production, freedom in playing, story telling, understanding the context of the music and delving deep into specific technical challenges in upper and lower strings groups.

You will be sent materials to help you prepare in advance of the sessions and the day will finish with a play through all together.

This day would be most suitable for players working at Intermediate and Advanced level (recommended Grade 4/5+).Cost: £30 – FULL Bursaries are available (please tick the box on the sign up form)

Register by Friday 19 January 2024. Places are limited and the form will close when all spaces are filled.

If you have any questions, please get in touch on: info@benedettifoundation.org. 

We hope to see you there! The Benedetti Foundation 

Andrew is retiring from conducting Canterbury Orchestra, and in recognition of this, there is a concert on 26th November.

Following on from our quest to find a new conductor, we received 8 applications for the post. Our committee narrowed this down to a short list of 4, and at the beginning of the term each candidate visited us and conducted a rehearsal. The quality of the candidates was amazing, but in the end following a poll of members we selected one. I am delighted to announce that Michael McGowan has accepted the rôle and will start with us on Monday 6th November.

Micheal is a New Zealander, who has served for many years as a trumpeter in the forces, and is currently Bandmaster serving with the Welsh Guards. Michael is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Music – and great fun! We look forward to a long and happy association with him. Welcome Michael!