In early March, Pangbourne College celebrated its 10th anniversary Piano Festival with a full day’s programme of competitive and non-competitive classes. Over 120 young musicians, aged 7 to 18, from more than 25 schools in the South of England took part in the event. 

This Festival marked the significant milestone of 10 years since the creation of the College’s Music Department and ICT Hub, known as the Harding Communications Centre, and the arrival of a fleet of Steinway pianos in 2012. It also employed each of the school’s three Steinway concert grand pianos.

There were classes of Grade 1 to Grade 8+ standard; solos, duets, two-piano, and accompaniment performances. These were adjudicated by three superb musicians and communicators, Mr Luis Parés, Mrs Pamela Chilvers, and Mrs Samantha Ward. The day was a fantastic opportunity for young people and their families, as well as their teachers, to enjoy the school’s magnificent pianos, as well as learn from three very knowledgeable and experienced pianists.

Since its creation, almost 1,000 young musicians have attended the Piano Festival. For many, playing at the Festival has been the only opportunity they have had to play on such world-class instruments. The quality of sound, number of pedals, and recital environment have been just some of the benefits of the Pangbourne College Piano Festival experience. 

Each Festival has given guests the wonderful experience of listening to a wide range of music as well as participants the freedom to choose pieces they prefer. Chopin and Burgmüller were among this year’s favourite composers, but the variety of music chosen reflected the wonderful selection of pieces promoted by such examination boards as the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music (ABRSM) and Trinity College. 

Among the hallmarks of the Pangbourne Piano Festival are the workshop style of each of the competitive classes and the positive and constructive comments given by the adjudicator after each performance. Additionally, best performer and runner-up music prizes are awarded for each of the competitive classes. This year, Mrs Pamela Chilvers chose to award some of her own compositions, which are published by Mozart Edition, as runner-up prizes.

The overall aims of this Festival are to create a greater love of the piano; to expose more young people to the breadth of repertoire available to them (from beginner to advanced player); and to give young musicians a good day out with family and friends at our beautiful campus which sits within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty not far from Oxford and London.

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