Applications now open for young string players masterclass

Organisers of the annual celebration of the life and music of Worcestershire’s most famous composer have announced a free masterclass for young string players.

The Elgar Festival – which will take place from Saturday 23 May until Sunday 31 May next year – is inviting young people aged 13 and above to take part in the masterclass on Thursday 28 May.

Aimed at players of the violin, viola, cello or bass at Grade 6 level and above, the free public masterclass will be held in the surroundings of Elgar’s birthplace at The Fires in Lower Broadheath, Worcester, offers 6 talented young string players the opportunity to work with Nick Trygstad, Head of Strings at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, with focus on technique and interpretation.

Kenneth Woods, Artistic Director at the Elgar Festival said: “We are delighted to launch this fabulous masterclass; encouraging young people to take part in our festival is key to its future success.  We look forward to what looks set to be an inspiring and creative day.”

The masterclass will take place from 11.00am until 1.00pm with a performance by all players at 2.00pm; both sessions are open to the public.

Players wishing to participate are asked to submit a covering letter and video recording of the piece of their choice they wish to study to sue@elgarfestival.org.

Repertoire should be an English Miniature by Elgar, or another British composer with the closing date for entries on Monday 13 April 2025.

A native of Minneapolis, USA, Nick studied cello at the Royal Northern College of Music. He was Principal Cellist of the Orchestra of Scottish Opera, then Principal Cellist of the Hallé Orchestra in 2005, a position he held until 2024. He also has guest led the Royal Northern Sinfonia, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Manchester Camerata, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony, Welsh National Opera, Philharmonia, and Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. A passionate educator, Nick has taught for many years and regularly tutors the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain.

Nick sits on the board of Manchester Collective; he is also a trustee of Manchester Concert Hall Ltd, the body that oversees the Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall, making sure it delivers a world class experience for artists and the people of Manchester.

Next year’s festival will bring together world class professional musicians and artists alongside local choirs and ensembles placing the music of Worcester’s most famous son alongside that of his contemporaries and some of today’s leading composers and arrangers.

Set in the composer’s hometown and surrounding areas over the week closest to Elgar’s birthday on 2^nd June, the festival is an annual celebration of Elgar’s music spanning symphonic and string orchestra concerts by the resident English Symphony Orchestra, along with chamber concerts, choral concerts, Come and Play Day, recitals, workshops, masterclasses, street performances, a young composers competition, exhibits, tours and talks.

Since its inauguration in 2018, when it was a Critic’s Pick in both The Guardian and The Times, the festival has doubled in size and scale and continues to grow annually through an innovative development programme of appealing and accessible events, working with hundreds of both internationally renowned professional artists and amateur musicians and performers of all ages to ensure Elgar really is for everyone.

For further information and to apply please visit Elgar Festival Chorus 2026 – elgarfestival.org