Julie Ainscough teaches pupils with a wide variety of abilities, needs and aspirations, spanning jazz styles to diploma preparation, taking an holistic approach and following the precepts of Matthay with an element of Alexander Technique to ensure that pupils learn about correct hand and arm position plus good posture at the piano. Students are encouraged to play duets and in ensemble with other instrumentalists. She places a firm emphasis on sound piano technique and specific aspects of pianism such as development of a wide dynamic range, a good cantabile tone and effective use of the pedals. Grade and diploma examinations for pianists - for those who wish to undertake them - are arranged routinely with the External Examinations Board of Trinity College, London, unless particular circumstances dictate otherwise. Students who do elect to undertake examinations are encouraged to balance their prescribed study with playing of a wide range of contrasting music purely for their own personal pleasure: a discernible element of playing solely for enjoyment is recommended for even the most studious of pupils.
Notable successes :
OXFORD & CAMBRIDGE ORGAN SCHOLARSHIPS:
Timothy Burke M.A., A.R.C.O. (Exeter College, Oxford, 2001-2004), 1st class Honours in Music and now Chorus Master, Opera North, Leeds);
Lawrence Thain F.R.C.O. (New College, Oxford, 2008-2011);
Tim Lambourn A.R.C.O. (Jesus College, Cambridge, 2008-2011);
Henry Chandler (Pembroke College, Oxford, 2010-2013);
Edward Buchanan (Balliol College, Oxford, 2010-2013);
James Buchanan (University College, Oxford, 2010-2013).
Croydon Music Festival (organ) plus Reigate & Redhill Music Festival (piano): see website.
How many students :
More than 20
Examination systems :
ABRSM, Trinity, Other
Examination results :
Timothy Burke M.A., A.R.C.O. (Organ Scholar, Exeter College, Oxford, 2001-2004) went up to Oxford having gained the Associateship Diploma of the Royal College of Organists and having passed the performance ('Practical') module of the Fellowship Diploma of the Royal College of Organists under my tutelage, making him the highest-qualified Organ Scholar entrant at Oxford in his year.
Organ pupils pass ABRSM grade examinations (from Grade Four up to and including Grade Eight) almost invariably with high Distinction marks. Piano pupils pass Trinity/Guildhall grade examinations (from Grade 'Initial' up to and including Grade Eight) mainly with Distinction-level marks.
Student ages :
child, older child, adult
Non-exam student successes :
All my pupils develop an extensive repertoire, exploring far beyond the requirements of examination syllabi. This enables them to develop an interest in widely-varied musical forms and styles, which broadens their minds. They also learn to play with correct keyboard and pedal technique and gain an awareness of Alexander Technique, in order to produce musical performances and avoid back strain and repetitative strain injuries (RSI).
Contact between pupils, beginning with encounters at lesson change-over times and developing at pupil concert soirées, boosts their musical confidence and engenders friendships in which they encourage and support each other. This all helps to dispel feelings of loneliness in their musical study.
One adult piano pupil (a topmost echelon partner with one of Britain's foremost accountancy firms) developed both musically and in terms of personal confidence to the extent that he bought a Steinway concert grand piano and began to give informal concerts for his friends and neighbours. Two adult church choristers, encouraged by my teaching, developed their singing 'off their own bats', one (an eminent High Court judge) joined several choirs and choral societies, while the other found a piano accompanist with whom he went semi-professional, having started with me as an absolute beginner!
I give first-class professional tuition in piano, classical pipe organ, music theory and *composition and have more than 30 years' successful experience in an extensive private practice and in prestigious public and other independent schools. My pupils often study with me for many years, flourishing musically, academically and personally.
I can offer places to well-motivated adults and children, from absolute beginners up to those seeking music conservatoire and university entrance plus Performer's Diplomas.
All of my piano pupils are taught on a superb Bösendorfer grand piano; organ pupils receive tuition on first-class pipe organs by Harrison & Harrison, "Father" Henry Willis, etc.
Adult piano pupils enjoy performance and social opportunities at regular soirées, where they play on superb grand pianos by Bösendorfer, Steinway and Fazioli before an audience of fellow pupils. A performance series for my younger pupils began recently, using a new Steinway Model B. Adult pupils participate in residential summer schools (e.g. Chetham's) and all pupils may compete in the Reigate & Redhill Music Festival.
Organ pupils often compete in the Croydon Music Festival with conspicuous success and participate in the prize-winners' concerts at the Fairfield Halls in Croydon. They are prepared for Royal College of Organists' professional diplomas and (in appropriate cases) for Oxford & Cambridge universities' college Organ Scholarships - e.g. Timothy Burke, formerly Senior Organ Scholar at Exeter College, Oxford, now graduated with 1st Class Honours degree in Music, plus Lawrence Thain, Organ Scholar, New College, Oxford and Tim Lambourn, Organ Scholar, Jesus College, Cambridge (both from Michaelmas term 2008). Three of my organ pupils auditioned successfully for "OxBridge" in September 2009, having first participated in the Oundle Prospective Organ Scholars' course: they are now confirmed as Organ Scholars for Balliol, Pembroke and University colleges at Oxford from the Michaelmas term 2010 and will sit for the ARCO diploma.
My professional portfolio also includes work as a church organist and choirmaster, which has involved high levels of success in training young choristers who have obtained significant success in the award examinations of the Royal School of Church Music. I am now nearing the completion of a Doctorate in Music Composition at the University of Surrey, which involves a portfolio of concert music with analysis in the form of detailed programme and reflective notes plus a short dissertation
(c.27,000 words) on the later organ.works of Olivier Messiaen
I am an ISM full member and am listed on the ISM Register of Private Professional Teachers. I have an enhanced CRB Disclosure.
* Winner of the 1978 Royal Philharmonic Society prize for composition and the 2005 University of Surrey "David Lovatt Prize for Composition".
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