The Concord Community Music School (CCMS) is one of the nation's largest and most thriving music communities. 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 available.
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!
Please bring all the repertoire you are working on at the moment. As a minimum we suggest you bring at least one piece in each of these three categories:
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 Ivona Despotovitch 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.
COMBINE ACTIVE AND PASSIVE DAYS
To combine active and passive registrations, add both active and passive days to your shopping cart. For instance, if you want to attend for all three days but only have two individual lessons, purchase two Active Participant days and one Passive Participant day for a total of three.
Click on your preferred option below to pay by credit card at our retail partner, Stripe.com.
DISCOUNTS & PARTIAL SCHOLARSHIPS
All CCMS staff and students are invited to observe and participate in the group Feldenkrais lessons for free. To book your individual lesson(s) at the CCMS discounted rate, please register for an active day(s), 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 Ivona Despotovitch 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.
INSTITUTE LESSON RECORDINGS
All lessons are video recorded (unless the participant requests otherwise), and are stored at
If you are not already an active member at PianoTechniqe.org, to watch your lessons you must first subscribe. We run our piano somatics video library more or less on the Netflix model: your initial subscription fee gives you automatic access to
Access to all this, and to the recordings of the Ahun 2026 institute, is included in the initial pt.org subscription fee which is separate from your institute registration fee.
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 books:
KATHRYN SOUTHWORTH LUNDAHL
Concert pianist and pedagogue Kathryn Southworth Lundahl first took part in the Alan Fraser Institute at Smith College in 2012. As then 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. Kathy is now CCMS director of programs, and she is the general coordinator and administrator for the Concord Institute; Ivona Despotovitch is also available by email to answer your questions about participation, repertoire, etc.
Contact Kathryn at: Kathryn Southworth Lundahl Director of Programs, Concord Community Music School 23 Wall Street, Concord, NH 03301 (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.
