Hans Keller Forum

Launched in September 2022, Hans Keller Forum provides in-depth mentorship study specifically for college-age pre-formed chamber ensembles.

"Hans Keller Forum has been incredibly beneficial to our trio’s development, we always come away so inspired and with lots of new ideas to explore… the coaching was some of the most insightful and in-depth we’ve experienced” – Astatine Trio

Hans Keller Forum (HKF) provides a year of intensive mentorship for four groups carefully selected from the up to 16 nominations from the eight UK music colleges. The programme is designed to develop skills and knowledge in this specialist area and help to build the confidence for graduating students to include chamber music as part of their professional profile.

About

The HKF runs as an annual cycle of three 3-day residential courses with each residency taking place just before the start of the academic term. During each residency groups receive 7.5 hours of coaching (delivered in two 75-minute coaching sessions each day, one from each of the two mentors) and have a minimum of 7.5 hours of scheduled rehearsal time. Each group is assigned its own dedicated studio for the duration of the residency.

Mentors

The 2024/25 mentors are Donald Grant, Alasdair Beatson and John Myerscough.

Applications

ChamberStudio invites each UK conservatoire to recommend two groups they feel have shown particularly good chemistry, commitment and potential. The recommended groups need to be continuing as either UG or PG in 2024/25.

Dates

The HKF residency dates for 24/25 are:

12-14 September 2024
2-4 January 2025
21-23 April 2025

Open Rehearsals & Masterclasses

Each residency features an afternoon of masterclasses and rehearsals that are open to observers. For more information on upcoming events, please check our calendar.

"A truly enriching experience that definitely broadened and sharpened our chamber music skills as well as deepened our musical sensitivity thanks to amazing mentors." – Kyan Quartet

Current Ensembles

ChamberStudio’s Hans Keller Forum 2024/25 ensembles are:

Trio Thalassa

Sonas Quartet

Seion Quartet

Heartwood Quartet

Past Ensembles

Quartet Concrète

Trio Havisham

Lark Trio

Talland Quartet

Astatine Trio

Aestus Quartet

Hirvi Quartet

Kyan Quartet

Artist in Residence

Hannah Uzor was the Hans Keller Forum Artist in Residence in 2022/23. Her work focussed on drawing the ensembles at work throughout their residencies.

Lecture Series

Each January residency features a lecture given by a guest speaker. In the first lecture, Susi Woodhouse introduced Hans Keller, his life and work, referencing Haydn’s String Quartets. The second lecture saw Simon Rowland-Jones explore Britten’s String Quartets with the Medea Quartet. In the third lecture, Nicky Swett presented Behind the Music: Pre-compositional thought in Benjamin Britten’s Second String Quartet. And in the fourth, Laura Tunbridge discussed ensemble sound in Beethoven and Britten, as well as historical perspectives on chamber music aesthetics, in Shall we Blend? January 2025 will see David Waterman present Techniques of Phrasing alongside the HKF ensembles.

“Hans Keller Forum has been inspirational and has motivated us to be in top form. We would highly recommend it to any chamber musicians looking to improve as a group and prepare for leaving music college.”

– Hirvi Quartet

Hans Keller Forum is generously funded by the Cosman Keller Art and Music Trust, the Albert and Eugenie Frost Trust, and Philip Carne.