Strings in Spring Course 2026
Join the Fitzwilliam String Quartet at the magnificent Laidlaw Music Centre in the University of St Andrews for an intensive 4-day chamber music course
Thursday 1 May to Sunday 4 May 2025
Learn MoreThe focus of this course is chamber music coaching, given by the members of the Fitzwilliam String Quartet, quartet in residence at the University of St Andrews, plus guest tutor Sophie Renshaw.
Chamber groups usually study two works over the duration of the course. Each group will receive a number of coaching sessions, and these will be supplemented by rehearsal periods, a string orchestra session, and also the opportunity for informal sight-reading.
The Fitzwilliam String Quartet will give a public recital on the first night of the course, to include Schubert’s “Death and the Maiden”, and there will be some additional musical and social activities throughout the course.
The course fee is £385 per person, with an early bird option of £365 for bookings made before 27 January 2025. Places will only be confirmed on receipt of fees from all members of your group (minimum four members, but quintets, sextets or larger groups are very welcome).
The course fee includes all group tuition and other organised musical activities, admission to the Fitzwilliam concert, refreshments on arrival, post-concert drinks and two more drinks receptions, and a buffet lunch on the final day.
All applications should be made online. The closing date for applications is 20 April 2025, or when the course reaches capacity, whichever is sooner.
We prefer applications from pre-formed groups. Individuals may be considered, but the Music Centre will only confirm your place if they are able to incorporate you into a group, and you will be asked for payment if your place is confirmed. Please email stringsinspring@st-andrews.ac.uk for more information.
Rehearsal rooms will be available from 2pm on Thursday, and the course finishes after lunch on Sunday.
Groups should bring a score of each of the works they have chosen, as well as their individual parts. Music stands are provided in all rooms. Individual instrument lockers will be available for the duration of the course.
Accommodation is not included, and we recommend booking early with local hotels, guesthouses or holiday rentals, as St Andrews can be very busy at this time of year. St Andrews is well supplied with cafés, restaurants and shops serving a wide variety of cuisines to suit every pocket, all of which are within easy walking distance of the Laidlaw Music Centre.
We plan to have a course dinner on the Saturday evening at a local restaurant. Details will be confirmed nearer the time. This is not included in the course fee and is entirely optional.
Participants must agree to the terms and conditions.
First night recital
Thursday 1 May, 2025
7.30pm
"A wonderfully intensive and fun course in a fabulous venue"
The 2025 course will run from Thursday 30 April to Sunday 3 May 2026 in the Laidlaw Music Centre. The Strings in Spring course is aimed primarily at serious amateur chamber musicians and quartet players who wish to improve their ensemble playing.
The course includes not only intensive tuition from the Fitzwilliam String Quartet but has been designed to be as enjoyable, interesting and social as possible. Participants are invited to experience mindfulness for musicians with Lucy Russell as well as quizzes, drinks and informal social gatherings.
The timetable for this year’s course is to be confirmed but will be almost identical to last year’s. The 2024 timetable, for information, can be downloaded below:
"Lovely kind nurturing coaches who seemed to know exactly how to bring out the best in our group at any particular time. We found them all so encouraging and supportive giving positive feedback and such uplifting praise when appropriate."
Kathryn Mcnab
Testimonials
Read a selection of previous participant testimonials
“The coaches each bring something different to the sessions and help the quartets to make real progress in a short space of time.”
Emma Arandjelovic
“Exhilarating, sociable, intensive, instructive with excellent tuition and top class facilities in the Laidlaw Centre.”
Fiona Thomson
“Always enjoy the different angles that the Fitzwilliam quartet and additional course tutors bring to our repertoire. Our understanding of the music and playing as a quartet improved greatly over the duration of the course.”
Rebecca Barnard
“Learned so much and loved every minute – intend to return & have re-booked our airbnb for 2025.”
Frith Robb