Collaborative Piano

Directed by Anna Tilbrook

About the course

Explore the art of musical partnership with Anna Tilbrook in a course dedicated to the skills that make an effective collaborative pianist. Accompanying is much more than playing the notes: it calls for sensitive listening, flexibility, imagination and a shared approach to interpretation. Through practical coaching, repertoire study and discussion, pianists will develop the confidence to support and respond to singers and instrumentalists, finding new ways to shape a performance together.

Who is it for?

This course is for pianists with secure technique and confident music-reading skills who would like to develop their accompanying and ensemble playing. Some previous experience of working with singers or instrumentalists is helpful, but a willingness to listen, experiment and learn is equally important. Pianists enrol for the whole week; vocal and instrumental partners will be invited to join selected sessions rather than attend every day.

What to expect

Anna will guide participants through the musical and practical challenges of collaborative playing, including balance, breathing, phrasing, timing, communication and rehearsal technique. Some sessions will focus on the pianists’ own preparation and interpretation; at other points in the week, invited singers and instrumentalists will join to explore how musical partnerships develop in practice. There will be opportunities to receive individual guidance, observe colleagues and discuss approaches to different repertoire, all in a supportive, constructive setting.

Practical information