About

Welcome to the Summer School for Pianists!

Sunday 9th – Saturday 15th August 2026

Stowe School, Buckingham, MK18 5EH

Artistic Directors: Karl Lutchmayer, Christine Stevenson

Guest tutors: Graham Fitch, Jill Morton, Martin Cousin

For over 45 years, this Summer School has established a unique place amongst an ever-growing number of summer schools being held each year throughout the British Isles.

In what way is this Summer School so special?

It combines an atmosphere of friendliness with musical expertise, creating a most positive and rewarding week. People of a very wide range of pianistic levels can meet and enjoy all that’s good about music-making, without any unhealthy competitiveness or feelings of inadequacy. Participants return year after year to this keenly anticipated annual event. The incomparable splendour of Stowe House set in 250 acres of gardens landscaped by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, the excellent facilities of the All Steinway music department of Stowe School, a warm welcome, studies with leading experts, recitals by staff and students, good food, ensuite accommodation and a final gala dinner in the State Music Room, make this course both memorable and inspiring.

Do feel free to investigate the breadth and depth of the piano repertoire, but as an optional theme in 2026, we are invited to explore neglected corners of music from Vienna and by the many composers associated with that great city: ‘Forgotten Melodies of Old Vienna.‘

Staff recitals will include works by Beethoven, Liszt, Schubert, Mozart, Brahms, Rubinstein and Krenek as well as a performance of Schubert’s song collection Schwanengesang by baritone Brian White and pianist Graham Fitch, songs from which will be featured in the Accompanists’ Class overseen by Jill Morton.

In the 2025 course, the tutor presentations, Piano Matters, were especially praised for making the course even more attractive for performing participants and for observers as well. Piano Matters topics for 2026 will include Martin Cousin speaking on ‘Anton Rubinstein – a Musical Colossus’, Graham Fitch telling us ‘How Interleaving Practice Boosts Learning’, Karl Lutchmayer introducing ‘Vienna – City of Revolution’ and Christine Stevenson showing us ‘Vienna – City of Dreams’.

New for 2026 – a series of Piano Clinics at 5.45pm

On pedalling: ‘Putting Your Best Foot Forward’ – Graham Fitch

On legato, cantabile and the use of arm weight, a shared clinic: ‘Taking the Rough with the Smooth’ – Karl Lutchmayer, and ‘Strong Arm Tactics’ – Christine Stevenson

On colour, and how to use it – ‘A Pianist’s Colour Chart’ – Jill Morton

There are eight thirty-minute solo recital opportunities – Platforms – available for a modest charge, and four student concerts for solo or duet items.

And there will be time to explore the grounds, play a round of golf on the 9-hole golf course (green fees apply), have a game of tennis (please bring your own racquets and tennis balls) or, for an additional fee, enjoy a guided tour of Stowe House.

As usual, each participant will be allotted three thirty-minute slots totalling 1.5 hours in their masterclasses during the week. All are welcome to visit other classes to observe. Private lessons can be booked with each of the tutors for an additional fee. Those applying for a place on the summer school must be at least 18 years of age.