The courses have been running for over 30 years and a major feature is the blend of small group teaching by acknowledged experts, informal and formal performing opportunities throughout and a range of prizes including recital and concerto performance opportunities.

A key aim of the courses is to reduce the isolation of playing the instrument, and in the midst of serious learning and performing on the courses is socialisation, fun and togetherness. 

The senior tutor is Ruth Gerald, former Head of Keyboard Studies at the Royal College of Music.

The Chairman is Noriko Ogawa, international concert pianist and professor at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

This year's Masterclass guest is Melvyn Tan, internationally renowned concert pianist. Former Masterclass guests have included Pascal Rogé, Ji Liu, Freddy Kempf, Peter Donohoe, Melvyn Tan, Noriko Ogawa, Artur Pizarro, Joanna MacGregor, Sir John Lill, Dame Moura Lympany and Cecile Ousset.

The final concert is attended by the Mayors or Deputy Mayors of Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Tunbridge wells. In 2023 the final concert will be attended by the Deputy Lieutenant of Kent, Mr Nicholas Hely-Hutchinson, an artist and host of the weekly podcast, Perfect Pitch.

Concerts

All participants will be able to take part in at least one concert and can compete for prizes. Some will be invited to take part in the celebrity masterclass. All participants are encouraged to bring at least one short piece that can be played in a concert. It will not be possible to accommodate very long works.

Our courses cater for any age and are offered in these categories:

Intermediate Course for pianists ABRSM grades 1 to 5

Younger participants enjoy learning together and having fun.

Prokofiev Course for adults who have recently taken up, or returned to, the piano.

In response to requests, KIPC established its 4th concurrent course in 2020, the Prokofiev Course. This is for adults who have either recently returned to, or have recently taken up, the piano. As a guide, participants are likely to be of ABRSM standard grade 1-5 but that is not a hard and fast rule. Prices are the same as for the Intermediate Course.

Senior Course for grades 6 to 8

Participants on this course benefit greatly from the chance to play in concerts and from hearing other pianists, in addition to receiving expert tuition and master class opportunities.

Advanced for those beyond Grade 8

Conservatoire students and advanced pianists of all ages take part on this course. There are opportunities to win recital and concerto prizes, as well as take part in master classes with leading pianists.

Further details of our full policy may be obtained by contacting the KIPC Director at the email address elsewhere on the website.

Information we may collect from Course Members or applicants may include:

We need such information to provide Course Members with a better service, and will keep it for 7 years.

In relation to KIPC tutors and other staff we may collect information including:

We keep this data principally to make payments and ensure that we are delivering a high quality, professional service. It is refreshed at or around the date of each annual courses event. No data is routinely shared with third parties.

If we ask for any information to be voluntarily provided and classed by the Information Commissioner as “sensitive”, such as Covid status, it will not be processed, ie stored in any way and only asked for when it is fair, relevant and necessary for a specific purpose.

Please take care of your own personal possessions and do not leave music, bags and clothing unsupervised in the Orchard Cafe or other spaces used by KIPC. Tonbridge School and KIPC take no responsibility for items which are lost during the courses.