Piano Somatics Institute with Alan Fraser
June 20 - June 22
New England’s first post-pandemic Piano Somatics Institute returns to Concord this year on June 20 – 22, with two special free introductory events on Friday, June 20 in the Recital Hall. This is the perfect opportunity to discover how Alan Fraser and Piano Somatics can help improve your piano playing – even create a breakthrough!
FREE INTRODUCTORY LECTURE FOR YOUNG PIANISTS – FRIDAY, 4 PM
In the first introductory seminar, Alan will introduce young pianists to Pianimals, the first ever piano method based on the Feldenkrais Method. The children will be taken through a series of exercises to improve how the hand stands, walks, runs and jumps on key, and a couple of mini-demo lessons given to volunteers from the audience will show how it works in practice. This is a free event open to all interested pianists and their families and friends.
FREE INTRODUCTORY LECTURE FOR TEENS AND ADULTS – FRIDAY, 5 PM
The second hour is dedicated to older CCMS students and staff (teens and adults), with exercises taken not only from Pianimals but from Fraser’s other books on piano technique. Again, audience members will be taken through a series of movements for the hand, and then shown in a couple of small demo lessons how these strategies can quickly transform one’s ability and sound at the keyboard. This is also a free event open to all interested pianists, their families and friends.
INSTITUTE REGISTRATION
If you know you want to attend the institute, you can register on Alan Fraser’s website here. If you are not sure, you will have a chance to register at the conclusion of the free events Friday afternoon (space permitting).
OPEN TO ALL INTERESTED PIANISTS
Many relatively inexperienced pianists hesitate to attend an institute, feeling they are not well-enough prepared. However, Alan Fraser makes it clear that this approach can help all of us, no matter what the state of our playing. We are all here to learn. The Institute really is open to all interested pianists:
- students who wish to improve their sound and agility
- amateurs who wish to feel more in command of the instrument
- teachers who want new ways of teaching technique to their students
- professionals who wish to hone their skills to the highest possible level.
There is no limit to improvement!
SPECIAL DISCOUNTS: CCMS STUDENTS AND STAFF
CCMS students and staff are welcome to audit the institute at no charge, and receive a generous discount for active participation.
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR PIANO TEACHERS
If you are a Concord area piano teacher but your schedule prevents you from attending the institute, you may arrange individual lessons, on a pay-as-you-go basis, either the day before or the day following the institute. These sessions will show you how to bring the techniques of Piano Somatics to your young students, allowing them to advance more quickly and avoid the risk of injury. Please contact Kristin Selesnick to arrange these lessons.
ABOUT ALAN FRASER
Canadian pianist Alan Fraser gives master classes and recitals worldwide and conducts ongoing research and refinement on the ideas put forth in his three books, The Craft of Piano Playing (also in DVD), Honing the Pianistic Self-Image, and All Thumbs: Well-Coordinated Piano Technique. He is at work on several new volumes. Visit here for more on Alan Fraser.
If you have concerns or questions about your participation in the institute and would like to address them directly to Alan Fraser, send him an email.
To view the full weekend workshop schedule, lecture topics, and registration, please visit Alan Fraser’s website: https://www.alanfraserinstitute.com/21-usa-concord.php