Benslow Music

Bed and Breakfast

Excellent venue and course offered.
Highly recommend.

We stayed here for an 80th Birthday Celebration. The team were fantastic for both the accommodation and the afternoon tea. Very helpful. Would definitely recommend.

I just completed Alison Crum's online class "Jenkins Unraveled. " What a great experience, to carefully study all the parts in Jenkins 5-part Fantasia No. 16, a work that nearly all viol players love to play. At the end, we were able to play along with the Rose Consort's recording in real time. I hope Benslow can offer more of Alison's courses like this!

Have just completed my first On Line Benslow course with Tadesca Quartet and loved the whole experience.
The quality of tuition was exceptional and we rehearsed the pieces in very clever ways which wasn't boring and got results. I learned so much and was amazed at how much more confident I became over the few days. Nic Clare Kenny and Richard were patient, understanding of our difficulties and prepared to revisit difficult areas in the music to help us all.
I would definitely recommend this course and hope there are more to come.
Kate Roubaud.

I've just returned from a chamber music course at Benslow and it is reassuring to know that some things, in the 'new normal' have remained unchanged. How wonderful to hear the dinner gong at Benslow once again, remembering that the first evening's supper always serves beautifully cooked salmon. When a mouthwatering plate of Scotland's finest arrived I was not disappointed. Some things though, do change. Check in was a self-service affair, though Chris remained close by, his usual cheery smile still visible behind a visor. There is a circular system flowing from the tutor halls, into the bar/tea room, around and back out again, reflecting the rhythm of the course timetables at Benslow. The seating plan for meals was just that — a seating plan for the duration and although I missed the fluidity of the old days when we could mingle and mix at mealtimes, there was something nice about meeting my 'dinner buddy' at each meal to pick up our natter where we left off. Being a string player I could argue that technically our sections are always quite socially distanced anyway (no one wants to lose an eye with a bow tip) but the tutors were still careful to measure out the appropriate distance in the hall, lay out the chairs accordingly and remind us to stick to the same chair. I can't wait to come back (next month… possibly the one after, too! ) and the team have implemented a good system to keep course participants safe.

I have just taken part in my second online course at Benslow. Of course I miss being there, seeing everyone in person and partaking of the excellent meals and accommodation but this is a wonderful way to take advantage of the expertise that Benslow can organise — and we did make contact briefly with Chris and Peter! It was a most enjoyable and instructive three days learning about Brahms, his German Requiem, how the music is constructed, how he composed it and how and where it has been performed. Very privileged to have had an insight into Joseph Fort’s research and stimulated by his fluent delivery and varied presentation. Plenty of opportunity to engage with him through questions and chat, and timing of sessions impeccable!

I was pleasantly surprised by how fulfilling doing a course via zoom could be. Indeed there were a few advantages, including the fact that participants were muted; we each of us play along with the tutors (and just the tutors) without our mistakes being heard. I found it an efficient way to learn. There was, inevitably less social interaction than a live course at Benslow, but it still felt a bit sociable and that was good too. Well done Benslow!

Benslow have provided access to such expert and friendly tutors and I never thought I would enjoy these courses as much as I did.

Wonderful “bel canto” weekend with Nick and Gavin. They had so much to teach us and I felt that we all learned together in this very intensive and fun course. I hope we can do it again.
John Mullen.

Fantastic course — Jazz Masters with Marco Marconi and Mark Wade. Great for me, an aspiring jazz pianist to play in an ensemble with bass, saxes, clarinet etc: something I just don’t get to do at home! As always, great food and hospitality at Benslow.

I had a wonderful time on the Small Mixed Chamber Music Course over the weekend 31 May-2 June 2019. Lisa, Paul and Julian are wonderful tutors — I learned a lot about ensemble playing and got to hear Enigma14 rehearse. The food and accommodation are great and I met some lovely new people. I heartily recommend it.

With wonderful company, excellent tutors, a fantastic staff, beautiful music, delicious food, and scenic gardens, Benslow Music satiates the mind, ear, eye, belly, and heart! I received great insight from our tutors, Julian Perkins, Judy Tarling, Henrik Persson, and Nicholas Shaw, who, with the most poetic expressions, directed our attention to key elements in the performance aspects of Baroque music, aiding us in bringing the oratorios of Handel and Linley to life. Even though courses are scheduled for short periods, there is a sense of community at Benslow, where the love for music and the love for learning invite people to come together and create something quite special.

Lovely location. Comfortable accommodation. Good food. Friendly and obliging staff. SUPERB COURSES to meet all musical requirements and modes. Excellent tuition. I have just returned from my 140th course — which could not have been better…

From the moment you walk through the doors at Benslow Music, you’re greeted with a warm welcome! The well organised sessions lead by top class tutors were inspiring and informative. The accommodation was comfortable and copious quantities of sustaining food, tea and cake were very welcome after productive sessions. The extensive treasure trove of a library in the main house and the beautifully kept gardens were an excellent way to spend free time, or to take a breather from the rush of life. Benslow Music is one of Hertfordshire’s must visits for music enthusiasts!

My mother supported you for over 30 years. When she fell I'll with cancer and could not attend a course due to treatment you offered no refund which upset her terribly. Disgusting!

A lovely place to get immersed in music. I spent nearly 48 hours between my bedroom, the dining room and the concert room, totally absorbed by the activities. An experience I will certainly try to savour again!

It was totally charming and staff were lovely. A fab retreat in the middle of a hectic world with beautiful music wafting through the gardens. Want to return already.

With top tutors, plentiful practice rooms and rehearsal spaces, beautiful gardens and delicious food (including plentiful tea and cake), Benslow is a great place to retreat to for some high class music making! The staff are super organised and exceptionally friendly and make the whole experience a joy. Very much hope to go back soon!

Benslow is a lovely place to live and make music for a week. The food is plentiful, the coffee is flowing and the courses are run by a dedicated administration and top level musicains/tutors. They pack plenty into each day and kept each participant busy enough to feel like they were gaining from the course, but not so busy as to not allow time for a wander around the grounds or nearby Hitchin. High standards are set and met as the whole group noticeably improved throughout the week culminating in a performance that would give most pro scratch bands a run for their money!

I had a wonderful week singing Joas in Athalia on the Baroque Oratorio Course. Most importantly, every member of staff was welcoming and friendly and I felt at home all week. I learnt a huge amount from the excellent tutors and the food was delicious. The room was really comfortable and exceeded my expectations. I would highly recommend this course to singers of all levels and instrumentalists interested in baroque specialism. A super week at beautiful Benslow!