The opening days of the Elgar Festival saw conductor Kenneth Woods preside over a conducting masterclass.  Over two days a group of aspiring conductors were guided by Ken using chiefly Elgar’s “Introduction and Allegro” to develop their conducting skills.   The English String Orchestra, led by Zoe Beyers, together with a small audience, sat in the Carice Room of The Firs, while the students were given the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the music and enhance their practical skills when conducting an orchestra.  

In a break from Elgar, the students focused upon featured composer Michael Berkeley’s string work “Meditations”, with the composer present.