The Oxford Piano Group - PianoFest 2019

The Oxford Piano Group

Coffee Concert, Tea Party and Carols

10/20/2019

The PianoFest 2019 is all about raising money for Music for All. The charity fundraises in the belief that every child should have access to learning an instrument.

The members of The Oxford Piano Group, as pianists, know just how valuable it can be to learn the piano and how much it can really change lives.

Preparations for the fundraising day are really getting underway and it's now possible to book your performance place at our two concerts.

COFFEE CONCERT - 11am
This is for adults or post Grade 5 teenage pianists who would like to come along and join in our celebration. Performers on other instruments are also very welcome although having an accompanist is essential! This is quite an informal concert.

TEA PARTY - 3pm
This is for children who would like the opportunity to perform on the Model D Steinway in the Edward Boyle Auditorium! Last time it was lovely to see all the performers dressed up and really enjoying the occasion. Being a Tea Party it will be followed by the appropriate refreshments!

Playing tickets for both concerts can be booked on our PianoFest eventbrite site.

PIANOFEST 2019

10/12/2019

The Oxford Piano Group are delighted to be able to announce PianoFest 2019!

The first PianoFest, in 2017, raised over £2000. We're hoping to exceed that target this year.

Once again we are going to be playing the piano at St Hilda's College, Oxford for 12 hours non-stop. Starting at 9am and finishing at 9pm with an evening concert.

Everyone is welcome either as a player, audience member or just to drop in.

More details to follow soon!

FINDING THE VENUE & PARKING

11/27/2017

FINDING THE VENUE

The Jacqueline du Pre Music Building (JdP) can be found in the grounds of St Hilda's College, Oxford. The postcode is OX4 1DY.

There is no parking available at the venue - more on that in a moment - which means you will be walking.
As you go through the gates you will see the Porter's Lodge on your right. The JdP is signposted to the left and this is where you need to head.

Follow the road. You will see the River Cherwell on your right and the main building of St Hilda's on your left. As you reach the end of the building there is a large area of grass on your left and the building at the far end of this is the JdP.

COMING BY CAR?

THERE IS NO PARKING AVAILABLE AT THE JDP.

I would strongly recommend that wherever you are coming from, you use one of the many Park and Ride services available.

Alternatively, the closest car park is at St Clements, which is a 5 minute walk from the concert venue.

ST CLEMENTS CAR PARK

Getting ready for the PianoFest Tea Party

11/23/2017

It's really exciting that there are lots of young pianists coming to play at the PianoFest Tea Party. Here's a low down on what you and your parents/guardian can expect.

The Tea Party
Let's get the important things sorted first - the food! There will be lots of cakes, drinks and snacks. After the concert you'll be able to tuck in and chat to the other performers in the foyer. This is a lovely, light addition to the building overlooking the college gardens and the River Cherwell.

The Venue
The event is being held in the Edward Boyle Auditorium at the Jacqueline du Pre Music Building in the grounds of St Hilda's College, Oxford, OX4 1DY. This is a purpose built concert hall so it will probably feel a little on the grand side, even though it's really quite small!

The Piano
The piano is Steinway Model D piano. This is a very splendid instrument indeed, the Rolls Royce of pianos and it is a real treat for pianists to play on. Compared to your piano it will feel a little different but most people find them very easy to adjust to. Pianos like this cost a lot of money so it is certainly not a piano to 'mess around' on.

Your Performance
The concert begins at 4pm. When it's your turn to perform I (or your teacher) will be there to help you get onto the stage and get comfortable at the piano. It's easy to forget but adjusting the stool to your preferred height can make all the difference to your performance.

You don't need to announce your piece title or composer as it will be shown on the screen behind you.

People will clap as you walk on and clap when you finish so practice with your teacher or parents what to do when this happens.

How to give your best performance
Everyone will be feeling a little nervous on the day. That's natural and quite a healthy sign. Playing your piece in public is very different from practising it at home. All of a sudden it will feel quite different and bits that you thought you knew might not feel quite so secure.

In the days running up to the concert perform your piece to as many people as possible. Could you play it at school, to friends or relatives, to your teacher? One really useful thing to do is to record yourself. If you aren't happy with your recording keep doing it until you are satisfied.

Please do encourage everyone you know to support your performance. They can either come along on the day or donate some money that will go to the two great music education charities we are supporting. We're aiming to raise £3000 so every little helps!

In the next blog I will give more details about how to get to the venue and the parking situation as well as think about what to wear.

ALL ABOUT CHARITIES

11/21/2017

Supporting music education - your chance to help

Music education matters. Access to quality music-making should be a vital part of every child's education. The evidence is considerable and undeniable. For an overview read The Power of Music by Professor Susan Hallam.

Conversely music education in the UK is rapidly losing its place in the classroom. Did you know that Music GCSE numbers have dropped by 17% since 2010 whilst A' Level has declined by a whopping 35%?

The PianoFest 2017 is all about raising funds to help two exceptional music education charities.

The Voices Foundation

The Voices Foundation is a national charity that helps children and young people to learn to sing and develop as musicians. Its Singing School programme is a Finalist for an Excellence in Primary/Early Years Music award 2018.

'We help teachers and schools to ensure that music is an integral part of education from the early years. The Voices Foundation wants to give every child the chance to discover their musical talent so that they are part of the next generation of musicians'.

Help us support The Voices Foundation so that more children have access to quality music education.

The Matrix Arts Centre

The Matrix Arts Centre is an arts education charity based in Sutton Courtney, Oxfordshire. It provides a warm and supportive environment for children and adults to develop their music-making, all taking place in an award winning building.

The Matrix currently has a fundraising programme so that the building can be extended and refurbished. Any money donated will help the Matrix with this.

COFFEE CONCERT - 5 days left to book your place!

11/12/2017

There's just 3 weeks to go before PianoFest 2017 and I'm delighted to say that the children's Tea Party concert is now fully booked!

If you want to come and join us for the adults only Coffee Concert from 11-12noon there are just 5 days left to book your place. It'll be a very relaxed and informal event and ideal for anyone who might have an exam coming up or just want to run through a piece before an audience.

Do come and join us for our day-long celebration of the piano.

PIANOFEST 2017

Saturday December 2 2017
The Jacqueline du Pre Music Building
St Hilda's College, Cowley Place. OX4 1DY
9am-9pm

COFFEE CONCERT 11am-12noon

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR PLACE

CALLING OXFORD BASED PIANO TEACHERS

10/29/2017

Are you looking for a performance opportunity for your pupils this term?

If so bring them along on Saturday December 2nd to the Coffee Concert or the Tea Party at PIANOFEST 2017! It's being held in the lovely surroundings of the Jacqueline du Pre Music Building at St Hilda's College, OX4 1DY.

It'll be a really friendly, fun, relaxed event being held in aid of 2 music education charities. Full details can be found below.

COFFEE CONCERT
11am-12pm

The Coffee Concert is taking place at the Jacqueline du Pre Music Building between 11am-12pm. There is no fee to take part although donations in aid of our two charities will be welcomed.

To book time for your pupils please email Sally Cathcart before November 17th: CLICK HERE.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR PLACE

TEA PARTY
4PM-5PM

The Tea Party is mainly for younger players and anyone is encouraged to come and play, no matter what their standard is. Beginners are particularly welcome as are their families!

It starts at 4pm and will last about an hour. After the performances there will be some Carol Singing taking place - an early opportunity to get into the Christmas spirit.

To book time for your pupils please email Sally Cathcart before November 17th. CLICK HERE.

Please do come and join us in our celebration of the piano!

JOIN US FOR OUR 12 HOUR PIANOFEST!

10/14/2017

PianoFest 2017 is a celebration of the piano! On Saturday December 2nd our goal is to play the piano for 12 hours non-stop so that the sound of the piano never fully dies away! It's taking place at the lovely Jacqueline du Pre Music Building within St Hilda's College, Oxford.

Through our music-making we are raising money for two charities: The Matrix Music School and Arts Centre and The Voices Foundation. Both charities focus on delivering high quality music education to children through inspirational and motivating programmes.

There are five ways you can get involved

If you are a pianist you can come along and play informally at any time.
Pianists can also book a slot in advance to perform at our Coffee Concert (11am) and Tea Party (4pm). Younger pianists in particular are invited to come to the Tea Party. You can book your slot HERE.
Come and listen! If you live in and around the Oxfordshire area please do feel free to drop in during the day, listen to the music, have a coffee/tea and join in the pianistic celebration. There's no charge but all donations are welcome.
Come to the evening recital given by members of The Oxford Piano Group. There are no tickets but a suggested £10 donation can be made on the door.
If you are not local but would like to support the PianoFest and its charities please visit our fundraising page.
CLICK HERE

If you are a piano teacher and would like to book a specific time for a number of your pupils to come and play please email us on oxfordpianofest@gmail.com. Early booking for this is highly recommended and no later than Friday November 17.

PIANOFEST 2017 MOVES TO OXFORD

8/26/2017

We're delighted to announce that the PIANOFEST 2017 is now going to be taking place on Saturday December 2nd in central Oxford.

Final details are just being finalised so be sure to come back to soon to find out how you can get involved in this community fundraising event.

June 04th, 2017

6/4/2017

PIANOFEST 2017 - POSTPONED!

Our apologies but due to personal circumstances the PianoFest 2017 has had to be postponed.

A new date will be set for the Autumn so come back soon to find out more!