Piano Summer Holiday Course
Course Tutors:
Accomplished pianist and composer Marcel Zidani pursued his piano studies under the guidance of Royal Academy Vice-Principal Mark Racz and, more recently, the mentorship of Professor Philip Martin.
Marcel’s work in composition has gained him 2nd prize in the European Piano Teachers Composer Competition, a nomination in the British Composer Awards in 2015 and regular radio airtime. Marcel has composed educational music for exam boards and method books, contributing to the ABRSM Piano Star series and authoring 'Hey Presto,' a comprehensive piano method highly recommended by Epta and Pianist Professional Magazine.
His CD, "Piano in the Small Hours," featured on BBC Radio 3, showcases his improvisational talent, earning acclaim as a 'Musical Gem' with a compositional style reminiscent of Chopin, Liszt, and Satie.
He has a rich performance history at music festivals across the UK.
Currently serving on the Oxford University Piano Teaching Panel, he is a dedicated piano teacher whose students have earned acclaim in Young Musician competitions and beyond.
Christopher Guild is a classical concert pianist hailing from the north of Scotland. He studied violin, piano, composition and jazz electric bass at St Mary’s Music School (Edinburgh) before entering the Royal College of Music as a Foundation Scholar.
Chris went on to enjoy a notable performing career under the auspices of the Park Lane Group, the Countess of Munster Recital Scheme, and as a freelance pianist with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and City of London Sinfonia.
He is an internationally acclaimed recording artist, having released several solo and duo albums through Toccata Classics and Champs Hill Records, and specialises in British music from the early to late 20th century.
A dedicated and sought-after teacher, Chris has taught Piano, KS3-5 Music and Music Theory in some of England’s leading schools, including Millfield, Reigate Grammar School, Salisbury Cathedral School, and the Godolphin School, Salisbury where he became Head of Instrumental Music. Until 2022 he was on the faculty at Junior Trinity, London, teaching Piano and Musicianship, as well as becoming the inaugural teacher of Advanced Theory.
Chris relocated to Gloucester in late 2021 with his young family, and now teaches at GAM, Dean Close School and Solihull School.
Piano Summer Holiday Course
Piano Course 2025 Dates TBC
£195.
Booking form is at the bottom of this page.
Led by experienced GAM piano tutors Chris Guild and Marcel Zidani, this new course is for pianists aged 9-18 who are able to fluently play pieces of music equivalent to those found in the Initial Grade or Grade 1, 2 or 3 exam syllabus.
The course will take place at Barbican House, Gloucester from 9.00-5.00pm each day, with a concert for family and friends at 4.00pm on the final day.
Course aims:
Piano playing, by its very nature, is often a solitary activity. This innovative course aims to introduce young pianists to piano ensemble playing and the social element of music making.
For pianists who do not play another instrument, or sing with a choir, this is a fantastic opportunity to develop ensemble-playing skills such as: listening to another part whilst playing your own, keeping in time, counting and improving your sense of rhythm, and following a conductor.
In addition, more experienced young musicians will get the chance to work on matching and blending the sound they make with the sound their fellow players are making, for example in terms of volume and style.
Course content:
Each day will start with aural, singing and musical warm-up activities, before moving on to individual lessons and student duos taught by Marcel or Chris. During lessons, participants will work on their individual ensemble parts, technique, sight-reading, and for more advanced pianists, pedalling.
As well as ensemble rehearsals, each day will include performance platforms for students to experience playing in front of a small audience of fellow pianists. The course will culminate in a performance of solos, duets and ensemble players for an audience of family and friends.
The course repertoire will be based on students' current level of playing and experience.
