The wonderful horn player Ben Goldscheider is the Principal Artist at this year's Festival (June 2 -11). HFoM is delighted to announce that on Thursday 9 June 2022, Ben will be giving a horn masterclass at 5.00pm-6.30pm and applications are now open for musicians to take part. The Masterclass will take place at Queenswood School’s Ernest Read Hall. Queenswood School is located in Brookmans Park, Hatfield, Hertfordshire.

As the HFoM Principal Artist, Ben will be giving a recital with pianist Richard Uttley after the Masterclass at 7.30pm, in the Queenswood School chapel. Ben will also be performing with a quintet on Friday 10th June at 7.00pm in St Saviour’s Church, St Albans. Full details of all the HFoM concerts will be available on this website:
www.hertsmusicfest.org.uk/events2022

Masterclass Application

There is no charge for making an application for the Masterclass and tickets to observe the sessions will be free to reserve. Due to limited space the classes will also be made available as a livestream.
 

The services of a professional pianist will be provided, free of any charge if you’re chosen to participate. You will only need to cover the costs of transport to and from the class, and accommodation should that be necessary. In the past, musicians who have appeared in the HFoM Masterclass series have been invited to perform at future Festivals. Whilst we cannot guarantee this, it is an opportunity we hope to be able to offer.

Who can apply?

Anyone. There are no age restrictions. However, you should be of Grade VIII or Diploma standard and above. Applications are encouraged from candidates with a family or educational link to Hertfordshire, but this is not a condition of entry and in the past participants in our Masterclass series have come from across the U.K. and overseas.

What do I need to send to you to apply?

We would like a letter of application of no more than five hundred words, stating something about your musical background and – crucially - what you would gain from taking part in this masterclass from an educational/career perspective. We also require a reference - one paragraph is sufficient - from your current or most recent teacher or another professional musician who knows you, supporting your application. We need you to send us a video recording - not just audio - of your playing, which you need to upload to YouTube or a similar online platform, but not as attachment to an e-mail, or a file share. N.B. Please ensure the video is made ‘private’, especially if you’re playing music in copyright. If you need any technical assistance and advice with doing this, please contact us.

What are the repertoire requirements?

Between five and ten minutes of music, with two contrasting pieces which may be solo, or with accompaniment. Please let us know the details of your pieces in the e-mail of application.
 

What are the deadlines?

We need to have received your completed application by 6pm on Tuesday 12 April 2022. Decisions will be sent to all applicants by e-mail on Tuesday 19 April 2022. Send your application by e-mail to hfommarketing@gmail.com and put ‘Masterclass application from (your name)’ in the subject header.

Anything else I need to know?

We cannot enter into any correspondence about our decisions and if you are chosen to take part, we will inform you of all subsequent details. You will need to be available during the daytime of Thursday 9 June to rehearse at Queenswood with the accompanist. Please note that the classes will be live-streamed, although they won’t be recorded for any future broadcast.

Hertfordshire Festival of Music

HFoM is fortunate to receive the support of Arts Council England and a number of charitable trusts and foundations, county, district and town councils, while a growing Friends Scheme allows individuals to play an important role in furthering the Festival’s scope and potential. It is registered as a charity (Number 1175716) and is supported by a board of Trustees and team of volunteers.

We look forward to receiving your application.

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James Francis Brown

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Artistic Director, Hertfordshire Festival of Music