New England's first post-pandemic Piano Somatics Institute returns to Concord this year with two special free introductory events on the first day - the perfect opportunity to discover how Alan Fraser and Piano Somatics can help improve your piano playing - even create a breakthrough!
In the first introductory seminar, Alan will introduce young pianists to Pianimals, the first ever piano method based on the Feldenkrais Method. The children will be taken through a series of exercises to improve how the hand stands, walks, runs and jumps on key, and a couple of mini-demo lessons given to volunteers from the audience will show how it works in practice. This is a free event open to all interested pianists and their families and friends.
The second hour is dedicated to older CCMS students and staff (teens and adults), with exercises taken not only from Pianimals but from Fraser's other books on piano technique. Again, audience members will be taken through a series of movements for the hand, and then shown in a couple of small demo lessons how these strategies can quickly transform one's ability and sound at the keyboard. This is also a free event open to all interested pianists, their families and friends.
If you know you want to attend the institute, you can register below. If you are not sure, you will have a chance to register at the conclusion of the free events Friday afternoon (space permitting).
The Concord Community Music School (CCMS) is one of the nation's largest and most thriving music communities, so much so, in fact, that due to space limitations we can only run a three-day institute this year. The two fine Steinway pianos (both pre-war New York B's) in the CCMS concert hall assure the highest possible level of artistic work at this Institute. Excellent practice facilities with mostly Steinway midsize grand pianos are provided.
Many relatively inexperienced pianists hesitate to attend an institute, feeling they are not well-enough prepared. However, Alan Fraser makes it clear that this approach can help all of us, no matter what the state of our playing. We are all here to learn. The Institute really is open to all interested pianists:
There is no limit to improvement!
SPECIAL DISCOUNTS: CCMS STUDENTS AND STAFF
CCMS students and staff are welcome to audit the institute at no charge, and receive a generous discount for active participation.
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR PIANO TEACHERS
If you are a Concord area piano teacher but your schedule prevents you from attending the institute, you may arrange individual lessons, on a pay-as-you-go basis, either the day before or the day following the institute. These sessions will show you how to bring the techniques of Piano Somatics to your young students, allowing them to advance more quickly and avoid the risk of injury. Please contact Kristin Selesnick to arrange these lessons.
CONCORD, JEWEL OF THE NORTHEAST
Concord, the State Capital of New Hampshire, with its many interesting eateries and numerous New England wood frame houses provides congenial surroundings for the intense creative atmosphere of this institute. Some of our participants have found farmhouses outside of town on www.airbnb.com and have enjoyed good old New England country hospitality in addition to their institute experience.
This typical schedule will be modified according to the makeup and needs of the group.
LECTURE TOPICS
Alan offers a number of lecture topics and dovetails them with Awareness Through Piano Movement lessons - Feldenkrais lessons especially tailored to the pianist's art. Please let us know which lecture topics interest you the most, or if your special interest has not been included in this table, what subjects you would like Alan to address.
The Concord Community Music School is located at 23 Wall Street/24 Fayette Street Concord, NH 03301
View Map: CCMS in Concord NH
Boston-Logan Airport is only an hour's bus ride from Concord.
Manchester-Boston Regional Airport has a more pricey shuttle service, so Logan is probably your best bet. Directions from Manchester-Boston Regional Airport - View Map
There are a few hotels in Concord, the most convenient being The Centennial Inn. Centennial Inn A less expensive alternative, www.airbnb.com, offers travellers a chance to connect with private hosts willing to let a room or entire apartment at very reasonable rates. The most spectacular of these is The Majority Leader's House, which has hosted presidents of the United States and other luminaries. It is just around the corner from CCMS and the proprietor would be happy to accommodate several Institute participants. Please feel free to contact her through the airbnb website. Airbnb does not allow third party rentals but we are happy to refer our participants to this site. Book early to ensure getting the dates you want.
To register for the institute, first reserve the number of days you will be attending, then hit the 'back' button on your browser to add your individual lessons. With all the desired items added to your cart, you can now head to checkout.
TAILOR-MAKE YOUR PARTICIPATION
Most participants book an individual lesson every day of the institute, but if you find this tempo too intense, you are free to book fewer lessons throughout the week. We tailor-make the schedule to reflect your learning needs. You can even book more than one lesson a day if that is your preference!
Click on your preferred options in the payment table below to pay by credit card at our retail partner, Stripe.com.
DISCOUNTS & PARTIAL SCHOLARSHIPS
All CCMS staff and students are invited to attend for free. To book your individual lesson(s) at the CCMS discounted rate, please pay the normal rate, let us know your status, and we will immediately refund the difference.
The institute never turns away a pianist due to financial concerns. If you would like to attend but cannot afford the full rate, contact us and we will work something out. We want you to learn!
For other options such as registering 'in person' and paying by cheque, please email Kristin Selesnick or call her at (603) 228-1196 x105 to reserve your place. Kirstin will answer all your questions and arrange your preferred payment option and/or partial scholarship.
After registration, please come back to fill out this PARTICIPANT INFORMATION FORM.
After you have completed your institute, please come back to fill out this FOLLOWUP QUESTIONNAIRE. This helps evaluate your experience, tailor your ongoing regime to facilitate further progress, and fine-tune the institute structure to better meet your needs.
ALAN FRASER
Canadian pianist Alan Fraser gives master classes and recitals worldwide and conducts ongoing research and refinement on the ideas put forth in his three books, The Craft of Piano Playing (also in DVD), Honing the Pianistic Self-Image, and All Thumbs: Well-Coordinated Piano Technique. He is at work on several new volumes. Visit here for more on Alan Fraser.
If you have concerns or questions about your participation in the institute and would like to address them directly to Alan Fraser, send him an email.
KATHRYN SOUTHWORTH LUNDAHL
Concert pianist and pedagogue Kathryn Southworth Lundahl first took part in the Alan Fraser Institute at Smith College in 2012. As head of the piano department at Concord Community Music School, she immediately saw the potential for Alan Fraser to have an impact on the local piano community.
CCMS director of programs Kristin Selesnick is the general coordinator and administrator for the Concord Institute; Kathryn is also available to answer your questions about participation, repertoire, etc.
Contact Kirstin at: Kirstin Selesnick Director of Programs, Concord Community Music School 23 Wall Street, Concord, NH 03301 (603) 228-1196 x105 Email Kristin Selesnick
Contact Kathryn at: Kathryn Southworth Lundahl (603) 496-5266 Email Kathryn Southworth Lundahl
CONCORD COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL
Founded in 1984, Concord Community Music School is New Hampshire's largest community music school and among the 30 largest community arts schools nationally. Its mission is to foster a sense of community through music by providing the fullest possible array of musical experiences for people of all ages, musical abilities, and backgrounds.
Cancellation Policy
If you must cancel your registration, reimbursement will be as follows: Cancellations more than two months before Institute opening date: 100% reimbursement. Cancellations more than one month before Institute opening date: 75% reimbursement. Cancellations more than two weeks before Institute opening date: 50% reimbursement. Cancellations more than one week before Institute opening date: 25% reimbursement. Cancellations less than one week before Institute opening date: no reimbursement except in cases of doctor-certified illness or acts of God. We reserve the right to cancel the institute due to insufficient enrolment; in this event, all registration fees are fully refundable.
