Young strings players offered ‘an opportunity of a lifetime’

This year’s Elgar Festival will welcome 6 talented young string players the opportunity to work with one of the world’s most respected cellists.

Nick Trygstad, Head of Strings at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire will run a free event on Thursday 28 May – held in the inspirational surroundings of Elgar’s Birthplace in Lower Broadheath, Worcestershire – focusing on technique and interpretation. 

Entry is also free to observers throughout the masterclass and for the afternoon performance.

The masterclass will run from 11.00am until 1.00pm with a performance by all players after lunch at 2.00pm, with both sessions open to the public.

Kenneth Woods, Artistic Director of the Elgar Festival said: “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for those chosen to take part. We are honoured to have the huge talent of Nick Trygstad to run the workshop; the final performance will be one not to be missed!”

A native of Minneapolis, USA, Nicholas came to Manchester to study cello at the Royal Northern College of Music. Having previously been Principal Cellist of the Orchestra of Scottish Opera, Nick became 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 at the RNCM and regularly tutors the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and NYO Inspire.

Nick still freelances, particularly with Manchester Collective and sits on their board as a player representative. 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.

Set in the composer’s hometown and surrounding areas over the week closest to Elgar’s birthday on 2^nd June – this year’s festival will take place from Saturday 23 May until Sunday 31 May – 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, 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.

The music of the festival’s namesake will be the centrepiece of a busy programme of 27 events across 15 different venues with 3 pre-festival events including the relaxed concerts. The full breadth of Elgar’s work will be showcased, including songs, miniatures, chamber music and choral anthems alongside his most beloved orchestral masterpieces.

This 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.

For a full list of events, costs and booking information, please visit www.elgarfestival.org.