Open Day at the Benslow Music campus 11.00am to 4.00pm
Please join us on Sunday, 27th April 2025 at the Benslow Music Instrument Loan Scheme Open Day, focused on insights into how string players can best choose and care for their instruments.
Activities and talks are free but please book your place via this form.
Talks
11.30am - 12.15pm Stringed Instruments: A Brief Introduction
Instrument maker, Kai-Thomas Roth, and bow maker, Tim Baker will offer an overview of the development of classical stringed instruments, traditions of violin making and features of instruments used in different styles of playing, before outlining the factors performers at all levels should consider when choosing and looking after their instruments.
12.30 - 1.15pm Choosing the Right Instrument for You
Joely Koos (cellist, educator, and governor of the Benslow Music Instrument Loan Scheme) will share experiences of selecting and playing cellos gained through her successful career as a solo, chamber, and orchestral musician. She will joined by renowned violin dealer and maker Adam Whone to give some insights into their search for new instruments to add to the Scheme's collection and, via demonstrations on a range of cellos and some creative use of food-based metaphors, reflect on what "right" means for any string player when choosing a new instrument
2.45 - 3.30pm Panel Discussion and Questions
Head of the Instrument Loan Scheme, Nick Evans-Pughe, will be joined by some of our expert guests, Instrument Loan Scheme Head Nick Evans-Pughe, joined by experts including violin maker Adam Whone and the BVMA’s Julian Pindar. Together they will debunk common myths about string instruments and their restoration, followed by an audience Q&A covering Open Day topics. o discuss common misconceptions about stringed instruments and their building and restoration, before taking questions from the audience on topics covered across the Open Day.
11am – 4pm Meet the experts at work
Members of the British Violin Makers Association will be running live demonstrations of their finely-honed skills and available to take questions on the work of instrument makers and repairers:
• Julian Pindar – violin restorer
• Kai-Thomas Roth – violin maker
• William Castle – violin maker
• Tim Baker – bow maker
• Derek Wilson – bow maker & restorer
Marco Matathia, the Instrument Loan Scheme's in-house luthier, will also be busy in our workshop to share some of our collection with visitors and explain more about his role in looking after them.
There will also be opportunities to ask for advice on general advice and maintenance on your own violin / viola / cello / bass and any specific issues you might be having, as well as make assessments of older instruments in need of some attention. Please sign-up for a consultation slot on arrival.
11am – 4pm Hear music and enjoy Benslow’s beautiful site
Throughout the day, some of our young borrowers will be found showcasing their talents around the Benslow Music campus. Please support them as they hone their performance skills in varied repertoire ranging from solo to small ensemble, then
take in our beautiful garden and grounds in spring, or enjoy a hot drink or light lunch from our café.
4.30 – 5.30PM CELEBRATORY CONCERT AT HITCHIN TOWN HALL
To round off the day, we will move to Hitchin Town Hall for a special concert featuring gifted musicians currently borrowing instruments from the Scheme.
An ensemble of our older borrowers will be coming together under the direction of conductor Howard Williams to perform a programme of works for string orchestra:
• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Divertimento in D Major, K136 "Salzburg"
• Edward Elgar: Serenade for Strings in E minor Op 20
• Dag Wirén: Serenade
All ticket revenues will go towards supporting our work in making sure talented, young musicians are able to borrow good quality violins, violas, cellos, bows and wind instruments.
Tickets are £10 each and can be purchased here.
Who is the Open Day for?
We would particularly welcome current lenders and borrowers of instruments, as well as friends and supporters of the Scheme to join us for this fun and informative day celebrating everything we do to support young string players.
The event will also be of interest to students, teachers and music educators who aren't already connected to the Scheme and local people who would like to know more about the work of Benslow Music and our beautiful campus.