Kammermusik Oxford Workshop 2025

About the Workshop

This workshop, held in one of the colleges of Oxford University, is for strings, winds and keyboard players. Each day, we play a mixture of large and small group music. Some large groups will play major wind and/or string works that are rarely accessible to amateurs. Two examples chosen for 2025 are Gary Carpenter’s Pantomime and Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring in the original chamber ballet version. Otherwise, participants will play in groups of 2 – 10, with or without a piano. At least one piece is distributed in advance but sight reading is also important. An extensive library of such works is available, which may also be borrowed for freelance playing.

Coaches are drawn from members of leading UK and European chamber music ensembles and orchestras. Principal coaches for 2025 are Robert Manasse, Flute; George Caird, Oboe; Anthea Wood, Bassoon; Stephen Stirling, French Horn; Simone Weber, Clarinet; Roger Coull, Violin, and Jane Salmon, Cello. Associate coaches in strings will also be available to strengthen the ensembles as needed.

There is no formal audition, but we ask all new applicants to assess themselves carefully and honestly using the ACMP
Guide to Playing Levels so that we can assign parts appropriately, ensuring maximum enjoyment for all. We accept
Intermediate to Professional level players of all ages from 18 and (well!) above.