Following on from the great success of the Benedetti Strings Foundation Day in Summer 2022, Norfolk Music Hub have partnered with The Missing Coda to offer young pianists in Norfolk the opportunity for a workshop day.

The Norfolk-based musical maestros behind The Missing Coda are Benjamin Howell and Matthew Preston. Their collaborative blend in both teaching and performance has supported and nurtured a new generation to the love of music.

Their fresh and fun-fuelled approach to teachers and students – including individual lessons, masterclasses, classroom learning and music workshops – has a key aim: to take the enjoyment of music to a new scale.


What will be offered on the day?

Benjamin Howell and Matthew Preston will be exploring a variety of musical elements through the piano which include the following:

  • Craft – reading of music with practical music theory fun.
  • Creative – nurturing the character through musical components like scales, improvisation, aural training, practice ideas.
  • Confidence – to perform as a solo, duet or ensemble.

This day will be a mixture of theory and practical work with a preparation piece being emailed out to all participants to prepare for an ensemble performance.

In addition to the workshops The Missing Coda would like to invite any of the pianists registered to submit a recording of one of their current pieces – this is an opportunity for The Missing Coda to work with you (as an example in front of the other students on the day) to help with adding colour and character to the piece. Recordings can be submitted on the registration form below.

The Missing Coda will choose the three example pieces to be used on the day (you will be informed by March 30th 2023) and you will be expected to play your piece whilst receiving professional advice and support in improving on the character of the performance.


FAQs

Who is this aimed at? Pianists working at grade 2 and 3 standard

Age: 9-16 years

Date: Wednesday 19th April

Venue: Fakenham Academy, NR21 9QT [map]

Time: 9.30am-2.30pm

How many places are there?: Spaces are limited to 30 young people and would advise you to register early

Support from school staff: You will need to attend the day with a member of staff from your educational setting. Please note that all accompanying staff will need to bring an original copy of their DBS and ID in order to be able to enter the school site to support students.

First Aid: The responsibility for administering first aid lies with the member of staff attending from each educational setting


Breakdown of day:

9:15am-9:30am – Introduction 

Name badges, character quiz and ice breakers.

9:30am-10:30am – Workshop 1

Creative – four elements (dynamics, tempo, tonality and articulation) in the context of piano masterclasses in breakout rooms

10:30am-10:50am – Break

Plenary of the four elements above.

10:50am-12:00pm – Workshop 2

Theory and Aural workshop in the Hall. 

12:00pm-12:30pm – Lunch

12:30pm-1:45pm – Workshop 3

Craft – Ensemble workshop and a chance to work towards a performance for all.

1:45pm-2:15pm – Informal performance

Ensemble and solos

2.30pm – Students leave


Register

Register here