International Music Festival
London - Wells
Strings - Pianists - Singers
Summer 2027
The Gibden Scholars Summer Music Festival 2027 promises to be the best yet. We’re returning to Wells and St James’s Piccadilly for a week of exceptional music making
Camp Dates
Wells and London
Wells Cathedral School & St James’s Piccadilly
Strings - Pianists - Singers
Gibden Scholars Summer Music Festival 2027
A residential summer music course in the UK for young string players, pianists and singers
15 to 22 August 2027 · Wells Cathedral School and St James’s Piccadilly, London
The Gibden Scholars Summer Music Festival is a week of world class tuition for outstanding young musicians aged 9 to 18. Students live and work at Wells Cathedral School in Somerset, and the week ends with a grand finale concert at St James’s Piccadilly in London.
Who it is for
Talented young violinists, violists, cellists, double bass players, pianists and singers
Players and singers of Grade 5 standard and above
Students preparing for music scholarship auditions
International students who want to develop their English in a musical setting
What every student receives
One to one tuition and masterclasses with our professors
Daily chamber music coaching in small groups
String orchestra or piano ensemble rehearsals every day
The chance to play concerto movements with orchestra
Preparation for music scholarship auditions, with theory, aural and English language training
A detailed report from their professors and a certificate of attendance
The opportunity to make a video of their best solo performance
Every concert recorded or live streamed, so family at home can watch
The week
Sunday 15 August: students arrive in Wells, with a bus available from the airports and London. Music making begins that afternoon.
16 to 20 August: a full daily programme of lessons, masterclasses, chamber music, ensembles and evening professors’ concerts.
Saturday 21 August: concerts at Wells Cathedral School.
Sunday 22 August: coach to London for the grand finale concert at St James’s Piccadilly.
Our faculty
Angus Gibbon (Artistic Director), Yulia Chaplina and Madoka Maxwell (piano), Michael Bochmann and Gabriel Lee (violin), Peter Adams (cello), and Matthew Gibbon and Eloise Riddell (double bass), with a visiting masterclass from Thomas Martin.
Fees
The course fee is £1,980. This includes all tuition, full board in shared boarding school rooms, all meals, travel to the concert venues, and a fixed time pick-up and drop-off by bus from London or the airport. Scholarships are available.