Date/Time
Date(s) - July 27, 2024
All Day
Location
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Philip Ledger Room, 100 Renfrew Street, Glasgow, G2 3DB
EPTA UK has a long history of residential and one day conferences, but this exciting mini festival will be of special significance: For the first time Glasgow will be the base for a national one-day event which promises so much in terms of inspiration, support, camaraderie, enjoyment and continued professional development.
The outstanding facilities of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland will provide the base for an extremely varied day. ‘Community’ in its broadest meaning provides the theme for a series of stimulating presentations and performances that will include a keynote address by RCS Director of Music Professor Aaron Shorr, talks by the internationally renowned author, teacher and pianist Penelope Roskell, groundbreaking approaches to sight reading from Paul Harris, and an exploration of the piano as an ensemble and group instrument from Nadia Lasserson.
There will be an invaluable opportunity to learn about ABRSM’s new piano syllabus as well as presentations from Nancy Litten (‘Picture Postcards’ inspired by communities across the globe) Sharon Goody (‘Playing with colour’ as a groundbreaking beginner’s tutor course) and Yulia Chaplina (student stress, body language and performance preparation). The great Scottish partnership that was John and Margaret Murray McLeod are warmly celebrated and remembered in what would have been John’s 90th year with a performance of his first sonata by Philip Sharp (St. Mary’s Music School) that will be introduced by Emma Sinclair (Pianist, teacher, regional organiser for EPTA Scotland West) and Stephen Armstrong (Head of Keyboard Dundee High School).
The day will conclude with a recital given by Aaron Shorr and Fali Pavri (Head of Keyboard RCS), bringing the conference to a vibrant close.
With possibilities to arrive early for a pre-conference meal, get together and masterclass from Fali Pavri, this ‘Scottish Spectacular’ promises lots of midsummer magic, support, ideas and a real warmth of community and shared endeavour. Do join us and share in positive Scottish Spirit!
Box Office: https://epta-uk.org/product-category/events/
EPTA UK Member Standard Early Bird £40
EPTA UK Member Standard £50
Non-Member Standard Early Bird £50
Non- Member Standard £60
Student Early Bird £20
Student £25
Early-bird tickets have been extended to 15 July 2024 11:59pm.
Attendees who paid full price in June without the early-bird discount will be contacted and will receive a refund of the difference.
Member discounts will be applied automatically for EPTA UK Full Professional, Joint Full Professional and Corporate members. Sign in to your members account to get your discount.
Tickets include the full day of events.
Timetable*
Friday 26 July
Ticket holders of the EPTA UK Glasgow Conference are cordially invited to attend the Scottish Youth International Piano Competition Final. Registration is not required.
10am-4pm Finals of Scottish International Youth Prize
[cancelled] 5pm-6.30pm Masterclass with Fali Pavri, (Head of Keyboard RCS), featuring finalists from the Scottish International Youth Prize
Saturday 27 July
9.00 Registration
9.20 Welcome with Penelope Roskell
9.30-10.00 ‘Playing with Colour’ Sharon Goodey on her groundbreaking tutor books
10.05-11.05 Presentation on new ABRSM piano Syllabus by Paul Janes
11.05-11.25 Break in cafeteria of RCS with informal discussion
11.30- 12.00 ‘Piano Postcards’ with Nancy Litten
12.05-12.50 ‘Sight Reading’ with Paul Harris
12.55-1.25 Keynote address by Aaron Shorr: ‘The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and the Musical Community’
1.25-2.15 Lunch Break with informal discussion
2.15-2.45 Introducing Ergonomic Fingering with Penelope Roskell
2.50-3.20 ‘Piano Needn’t be Lonely’ Ensemble ands group piano inspiration with Nadia Lasserson
3.25-3.55 Remembering John and Margaret Murray McLeod. Emma Sinclair (RO for Glasgow) and Stephen Armstrong (Head of Keyboard Dundee High School) remember John in what would have been his 90th year. Performance of McLeod’s first piano sonata by Philip Sharp, tutor at St Mary’s Music School.
3.55-4.25 Tea Break with informal Q&A in the cafeteria
4.25-.5.10 ‘Stage Anxiety’ : Yulia Chaplina on student stress, body language and performance preparation
5.15-6.00 Closing duet recital with Fali Pavri and Aaron Shorr
*Timings are subject to change.
Please note: the café at RCS will be closed on July 27th. For a list of nearby restaurants and supermarkets, please contact us.
Biographies of Presenters and Performers
Stephen Armstrongstudied piano with Elizabeth Jacobs and Murray McLachlan at the RSAMD now RCS. After graduating in 1997 Stephen started his own private teaching practice before accepting the challenges of full-time piano teacher and accompanist at the High School of Dundee in 2000. Stephen works with pupils from P3 to S6 from beginner to diploma level. Stephen is also an Associate Teacher of Piano at the University of St Andrews. Stephen has given many recitals as soloist, accompanist and as part of a piano duo with his friend and colleague, Avril Evans.
<Sharon-Goodey>
Sharon has been teaching piano for over 45 years. Her background and training were unconventional. Music lessons were not available in early childhood; Sharon had to find her own piano teacher at the age of 11 and practised on an old, discarded piano. Unable to attend a music college she worked with a local teacher to pass ALCM and LTCL diplomas, then took an Open University degree which incorporated Music, Child Development and Cognitive Psychology. These experiences and studies combined to give a real insight into the difficulties that many youngsters experience. This pathway led to the publication of a series of piano tutor books; ‘Playing With Colour’ helps youngsters learn to read music effortlessly which allows them to focus on enjoying their playing from the very first lessons.
Hampshire-born Paul Janes has been based in Manchester since the late 1980s, working as a regular keyboard player with the region’s orchestras, in particular the BBC Philharmonic and the Hallé, as well in regular chamber music and solo recitals.
As a performer Paul displays great versatility, and his performances have often drawn praise from critics. Paul Janes has taught piano at the RNCM for almost thirty years, and is also in demand as an external adjudicator at major conservatoires and competitions. Paul works as an examiner, trainer and reviewer for ABRSM, which has enabled him to travel to many parts of the world.
Nancy Litten studied at the Royal Academy of Music from age 16 on an open piano scholarship. She has diplomas in four different instruments and has 15 books published by Alfred UK: violin tutors, keyboard tutors, books for singers, choirs and accompanists, and trio arrangements of well-loved piano solos. She is an EVC composer, and her arrangements and original pieces are in TCL and ABRSM syllabuses. She has been an ABRSM examiner for 26 years and adjudicates for BIFF, vice-chairing the adjudicators’ council. She has spoken at three UK Music EXPOs and at conferences in Europe and the USA.
Emma E Sinclair | BMus(Hons) LTCL Piano Teacher
I have always been a self employed piano teacher and I have a thriving private practice. Currently and also for the last twelve years I teach piano full time in Glasgow Secondary schools. Previously, for ten years I worked with the Charity Visibility, making music and teaching piano skills to blind and visually impaired people. I feel very fortunate to love my vocation and throughout my career I am privileged to work with many young people that go onto further study music, piano performance or teaching.
I am a mentor for piano teaching in secondary education on the RCS Masters and Pedagogy Course. I organise and deliver Annual Piano Play Days and Masterclasses held in City Halls in Glasgow that are open to all Council Secondary School pupils within the city. I am an active musician, often involved with Create Glasgow and in school shows. I enjoy taking part and organising concerts to fundraise for various charities.