Piano & Instrumental

A Wide Choice of Classes

The Piano & Instrumental Section continues to be one of the Festival’s most exciting and diverse areas, welcoming musicians of all ages and abilities. Our 2027 syllabus offers a rich variety of classes designed to support developing performers as well as more experienced players looking to refine their artistry.

Pianists have the opportunity to perform on a grand piano in a beautiful acoustic, with constructive feedback from an encouraging and knowledgeable adjudicator. For those wishing to explore ensemble repertoire, we are delighted to offer two‑piano classes, made possible by the availability of two grand pianos at the venue.

The Festival’s Instrumental Section attracts a wide range of performers across strings, woodwind, and brass, with both solo and ensemble classes available. These classes provide valuable opportunities to build confidence, develop musicianship, and receive positive, expert feedback from experienced adjudicators.

For those wishing to take on a greater challenge, the Pianist of the Year competitions continue to be a highlight of the Festival. Entrants qualify through selected solo classes before presenting a short recital to our adjudicator. Full details of qualification routes and performance requirements can be found in the syllabus.

Our Facebook page will announce when the full 2027 Piano & Instrumental Syllabus is released.

Piano & Instrumental Syllabus 2027

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2027 PIANO & INSTRUMENTAL Adjudicator

JAMES KIRBY

James is a popular adjudicator for the British and International Federation of Festivals. He has been delighted to work at many Festivals throughout the UK, as well as the Hong Kong Festival on several occasions. When time allows, James is always pleased to incorporate "mini-masterclasses" into his feedback.

As a solo pianist, James gives recitals throughout the UK including Wigmore Hall, Edinburgh and Aldeburgh festivals and in Europe and Asia. He studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London and the Moscow Conservatoire and was a Semifinalist in the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow in 1990. He has given concerto performances with the English and Scottish Chamber Orchestras and Moscow and Penang Symphony Orchestra in venues including the Royal Albert Hall, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Symphony Hall, Birmingham and the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatoire.

He was a member of the Barbican Piano Trio for Over thirty years and performed regularly with them at Festivals and important concert series in the UK and throughout Europe and the USA. Highlights included Carnegie Recital Hall and the Complete Beethoven Piano Trios in the Wigmore Hall Master Concert Series. The Trio has a repertoire consisting of over seventy works and an impressive discography.

James is a dedicated teacher and enjoys positions at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Royal Holloway, University of London and Eton College. He is an Honorary Professor of Rachmaninov Institute in Tambov, Russia, and serves on the juries of many International competitions, most recently in Latvia, China (including Hong Kong) and Korea. He gives many masterclasses in the UK and overseas.

He has been an ABRSM examiner since 1998 and has worked in Singapore, China, and Indonesia and many European countries.

EMMANUEL CHURCH & CENTRE

The town is close by nearest train station is West Worthing or Worthing station. It is also on a bus route. Free on street parking to the west of Heene Road (restricted to the East)

St. Michael's Road, Worthing BN11 4SD