Overview:

Are you studying towards an exam? Or just playing for pleasure? Join Tom Kerstens and Amanda Cook and guests and take your playing to the next level. The IGF Classical Summer School has featured many great artists from the Assad brothers to John Williams and this year is no exception. To celebrate our move to Cheltenham in style we are delighted to announce an exceptional programme representing something for every classical guitar student. Guests include Grammy award winner David Russell, British lutenist and early music specialist Nigel North and the Pumping Nylon author and leading international player Scott Tennant.

Course profile

The classical guitar week consists of open classes for early stage, intermediate and advanced students. With the help of professional tutors, students will explore new repertoire, expand technical ability and improve performance confidence. There will also be an opportunity to join a series of masterclasses and additional afternoon activities with lectures, small ensemble coaching sessions and guitar orchestra.

Students attending the summer school will be able to book private lessons with the classical guests artists and tutors.

Q: Is it for me?

A: Yes!  Whether you’re and enthusiastic amateur, studying for my teaching diploma or somewhere in between,  IGF’s classical programme can cater for all levels and ages. If you have any questions about your suitability or level contact IGF for advice: phil@igf.org.uk

About the tutors

Tom Kerstens

Tom Kerstens is a major figure in guitar music today: a versatile performer on modern and period instruments and one of the most influential champions of the guitar’s cause as a performer, recording artist and festival director. Since 1995, Tom Kerstens has led the IGF as Artistic Director, bringing with him a passion for the guitar’s heritage and a genuine commitment to its future having commissioned over 70 new works for guitar from many leading composers. Tom has released eight highly-acclaimed CDs and his latest recordings include GOYA, the music of Enrique Granados and UTOPIA, new music by Joby Talbot and John Metcalfe performed with his G Plus Ensemble and released on Peter Gabriel’s Real World label in March 2010. www.tomkerstens.com

Amanda Cook

Amanda is one of the leading guitarists of her generation. She has appeared in the USA, South America and throughout Europe. In the UK she has performed at the South Bank, Wigmore Hall, Sage Gateshead and King’s Place. She has broadcast on radio and TV, having performed live and been interviewed on BBC Radio 3 and Woman’s Hour. She currently teaches at the Guildhall School of Music, is a Patron of the Federation of Guitar Societies and regularly gives masterclasses and adjudicates.

Guest performers & tutors

David Russell

GRAMMY award winner David Russell is one of the giants of the classical guitar today. His beautifully polished and refined playing have combined to make him a hero to young guitarists all over the world. In recognition of his great talent and his international career, he was named a Fellow of The Royal Academy of Music in London in 1997. His concert and masterclass represents a rare visit to the UK. Students wanting to attend David’s masterclass should book early to avoid disappointment.

Nigel North

British lutenist Nigel North has been sharing music with audiences for nearly 30 years. Through his outstanding virtuosity as soloist, accompanist and ensemble musician, Nigel has inspired a generation. His quiet passion and artistry have produced benchmark recordings and performances notably of Bach "Bach on the Lute" recorded on the Linn Records label. For over 20 years Nigel was Professor of Lute at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, in London. He has also held prestigious teaching positions at the Hochschule der Künste, the Royal Conservatory in Den Haag, Netherlands, and more recently at the Early Music Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington in the USA. This is a very rare teaching appearance by a truly inspirational artist.

Scott Tennant is one of the world's most recognized American guitarists. He is the author of the best-selling book and video on guitar technique, Pumping Nylon, and he is a founding member of the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, which is now well into its second decade as a groundbreaking ensemble. Their album "Guitar Heroes" won a 2005 Grammy award in the "Best Classical Crossover" category. His performances both as a soloist and with the LAGQ have taken him all over the world several times over. He is in the process of recording the complete solo guitar works of Joaquin Rodrigo for the Belgian label GHA, which will include Rodrigo's guitar concertos with Leo Brouwer conducting. Whilst not performing and recording Scott devotes his time to teaching, and is on the faculty of the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music.