Violinist Nicola Benedetti, a leading advocate for music education, has announced the launch of The Benedetti Foundation, with plans for a signature series of orchestra-based weekend workshops, The Benedetti Sessions, to address the needs of young musicians and of teachers across the UK.
The first Benedetti Sessions will take place in Glasgow from 3 – 6 January 2020. Throughout the first year there will be a total of six Benedetti Sessions in London, Dundee, Northern Ireland, Manchester and Saffron Walden, with plans for additional events in the UK and internationally.
Each of The Benedetti Sessions will follow the same format and will cater for all playing abilities with courses for Beginner String Orchestra (pre-grade 1 to grade 3); Intermediate String Orchestra (grade 4 – 6) and Advanced String Orchestra (grade 7+).
There will also be a General Musicianship morning for beginners; String Teachers Professional Development Weekend for instrumental string teachers; Primary Classroom Teachers Professional Development Workshop for non-specialist primary classroom teachers and a Primary Schools Workshop Session introducing pupils to the fundamentals of music.
‘There are no limits to our learning possibilities through music’
Nicola Benedetti said:
‘I have loved music and the violin since I was four years old. Nothing could stop me from wanting to play, but each time I encountered a mass-collective musical experience it deepened and strengthened my enjoyment and commitment to music. There are no limits to our learning possibilities through music. We just have to be curious and open-minded enough to notice that this language is as rich as life itself, and this is what we aspire to expose young people to through the Benedetti Sessions.
‘In order to provide the highest possible standard of teaching, inspiration and guidance throughout the weekends, we have engaged the most phenomenal group of tutors. Each and every one of these musicians are not only extraordinary instrumentalists and teachers, but are also the most wonderful, uplifting, joyous yet serious individuals. We can’t wait to get started.’
Full details can be found at www.benedettifoundation.org and the closing date for Glasgow, London and Dundee is 18 September 2019.
