• Course Dates
    October 24, 2025 6:30 pm –
    October 26, 2025 4:00 pm
  • Observer Pass
    October 25, 2025
    11:00 am - 1:00 pm

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Level: Advanced
Fee: £360

Creative Practising

How to Keep Your Piano Practice Fresh

with William Howard

William Howard’s course will offer advice on interpretation and technique, giving particular attention to how we practise and how we can learn to improve the way we listen to ourselves.

Participants can bring any repertoire to the course, including work in progress, but everyone is encouraged to bring at least one piece, however short, that they feel they can play with confidence.

A short session each day will be devoted to group work focussing on listening and developing our musical imaginations. It’s not obligatory, but William will be delighted if some participants would be prepared to play the first piece from Schumann’s Kinderszenen Op.15 (‘From Foreign Lands and People’) and/or Minuet 1 from Bach’s Partita No.1 in B flat.

Read what participants say about Jackdaws Courses.

Some course feedback:

The studio is a wonderful place to be, and we were very lucky to be able to spend time outdoors in the beautiful surroundings

I always feel much healthier after a spell at Jackdaws!

I can’t imagine there could be a more supportive and encouraging environment for learning…

Read more about what participants say about Jackdaws Courses.

A £100 deposit is required to secure your place on this course. The balance of fees, including accommodation, is due 3 weeks before the course start date.

You can also buy an Observer Pass for this course. The Observer Pass entitles you to attend on SATURDAY from 11am–1pm as an observer only and costs £10. This can be redeemed against a subsequent course booking. Places are limited. More info and terms and conditions here.

Details Price Qty
Attendee - Deposit £100.00 GBP  
Observer Pass £10.00 GBP  

Venue:  

Venue Phone: 01373 812383

Address:
Jackdaws Music Education Trust, Great Elm, Frome, Somerset, BA11 3NY, United Kingdom

Description:

Course Information

Is this Course right for me?

The answer is probably yes as we welcome musicians of all abilities and backgrounds on our courses but if you would like to find out more before you book please read about our course levels, or email or call our office manager Karolyn on 01373 812 383 / music@jackdaws.org and she will be able to offer further guidance.

If you are still unsure then maybe consider one of our “Try before you buy” Observer Passes which enable you to come and see one session in action.

Full Observer places may also be bookable for a whole weekend subject to availability. Call / email the office for more information.

Please see our General Course Information pages for further details and schedule information.

Our Courses are for adult musicians (except where stated) and take place at Jackdaws in Great Elm, near Frome in Somerset. The Course Fee includes all tuition, meals and refreshments at Jackdaws. Courses take place in the main studio, with Steinway piano, and generally follow a masterclass format. There are several practice rooms here, too.

Repertoire

For Voice, Piano & Wind courses; participants are usually requested to prepare 2 – 3 pieces in advance. We will ask you to provide a repertoire list for the tutor (& accompanist) ahead of the course.

For Ensemble courses; direction will be given by the course leaders.

Accommodation

If you require B&B, we can arrange that for you; accommodation fees are payable in addition to the course fee.

Meals and Refreshments

Lunch, Supper and morning/afternoon refreshments will be prepared on site by our dedicated Cooks.  If you are vegetarian/vegan, or have a food allergy, you must let us know in advance, so that our cooks can plan the meals for the weekend accordingly. We are ‘allergy aware’, but we rely on participants letting us know if they have specific food allergies. Please also let us know if you carry any emergency medication.

By booking onto a Jackdaws course you agree to abide by our Terms and Conditions and understand the Privacy Policy regarding our handling of your data.