CHAMBER MUSIC IN SHEFFIELD AND DERBYSHIRE

ABOUT 4strings88keys

4strings88keys was established in June 2003 following a ‘cello day’ led by the distinguished cellist Bernard Gregor-Smith, who played as a founder member of the Lindsay String Quartet for forty years and is currently cellist with the Dante Quartet. 4strings88keys is a non-profit making organisation which seeks to promote chamber music in the community. The project is multi-centred and at present covers South Yorkshire and North East Derbyshire (areas without the facilities provided by a conservatoire). There is also an associated group called planning to organise events in Barcelona. Our primary aim is to encourage musicians who have an interest in chamber music to develop their musicianship. These are mostly amateur musicians, but we also welcome students and aspiring professionals. To this end, we organise workshops led by internationally distinguished artists whose teaching inspires players and provides them with the means of developing their talents.  These events typically take place over a two to three day (weekend) period and include a celebrity recital (which is open to the general public), master classes and ensemble coaching, and demonstrations of the Alexander Technique as a method of releasing the tensions that can inhibit performance.  There is also an annual ‘cello day’ devoted to that instrument.  We welcome those who wish to attend as non-performing observers as well as active participants in the events.

Another aim is to support today’s generation of composers and contribute to their future success, and particularly to encourage the composition of new works that are within the capabilities of non-professional players.  In this context, we are delighted to have been able to commission two new works to date: Cello Octet by Pat Moss, which was premiered at the Merlin Theatre, Sheffield in June 2003, and Studies for Piano Trio by Alan Charlton, which was given its first performance by the Onslow Trio at St Elphin’s School, Darley Dale, Derbyshire in May 2004 and its second performance at the Conway Hall, London in November 2004.

A third aim is to support local music teachers by organising events which promote interest in chamber music in the local community, and in particular to provide young people with the opportunity to experience the pleasure to be gained by listening to and playing chamber music.

4strings88keys reg. charity no 1121412

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