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From soaring melodies to complex harmonies, pizzicato to vibrato, experience a day brimming with music and the full brilliance of the HÂþ»­ Strings Faculty!

Explore the rich, expressive sound world of strings at our annual celebration. From resonant bowed strings to the majestic harp and the mellow tones of the guitar, this inspiring event brings together performances ranging from solo recitals, charming chamber groups to string orchestra.

Throughout the day, enjoy a series of talks and concerts featuring internationally renowned artists, including guest stars Kleio Quartet and Sacconi Quartet, as well as Vida Guitar Quartet, Florian Leonhard MBE, and professors, playing side by side with HÂþ»­ musicians. Together they highlight repertoire from beloved classics to the rarely heard and contemporary works.

Hear some of the finest instruments ever made, from Stradivarius to del Gesù, in the HÂþ»­â€™s magnificent performance spaces, which perfectly complement their rich sound. Alongside, pop-up performances in the HÂþ»­ café, The Carolean, will entertain you over coffee and cake, and don’t forget to visit the HÂþ»­ Museum, where you can view the world’s oldest known guitar (1581), and a rare viola by Enrico Catenar of Turin (1661).

A perfect day for instrumentalists, string enthusiasts and music lovers of all ages.

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2026 Lineup
Ìý
11am – 1pmÌý
Violas: Come and Play!Ìý
Open to young violists Grades 6+Ìý
Join HÂþ»­ professors and current students to explore repertoire, technique, performance and all things viola within a supportive and friendly workshop.

11amÌý
String Quartet Platform: Nadeja QuartetÌý
Throughout the year Nadejda Quartet has received intensive training from distinguished chamber musicians and has taken part in a range of performances, culminating in this concert.Ìý
Ìý
12pmÌý
Vida Guitar Quartet:ÌýRecitalÌý
HearÌýcritically acclaimedÌýVida Guitar QuartetÌýperform aÌýprogramme highlightingÌýdiverse repertoire from Spanish classics to English music and Bach-inspired works.Ìý
Ìý
12pmÌý
The Violin Detective:ÌýFlorian Leonhard and the authentication of rare violinsÌý
Inspiring the detective in you, world renownedÌýexpertÌýand HÂþ»­ Luthier – the ‘Sherlock Holmes’ of the violin world – Florian Leonhard MBEÌýHonHÂþ»­Ìýtakes you inside the intriguing world of violin authentication.Ìý
Ìý
1pm, 6pmÌý
°ä²¹´Úé Pop-UpsÌý
Enjoy pop-up performances to entertain you over coffee and cake in the HÂþ»­ café, The Carolean.Ìý
Ìý
1pmÌý
HÂþ»­ Guitar ShowcaseÌý
Hear exceptional HÂþ»­ guitarists perform works from classical to contemporary.
Ìý
1.30pmÌý
HÂþ»­ String Orchestra: Lunchtime Concert
HÂþ»­ post-graduate conductorÌýBen DraperÌýleads the HÂþ»­ String Orchestra in a riveting lunchtime concert.Ìý
Ìý
2.30pmÌý
Kleio Quartet: MasterclassÌý
Ahead of this evening’s performance, go behind theÌýscenesÌýwith the Kleio Quartet to learn more about the process behind the performance.Ìý
Ìý
2.30pmÌý
Vida Guitar Quartet: Guitar Coaching with Christopher StellÌý
Learn more about the guitar in sessions with HÂþ»­ guitar professor Christopher Stell.

2.45pmÌý
Harp ShowcaseÌý
On special occasions the HÂþ»­ brings togetherÌýa number ofÌýharps on one stage to perform repertoire arranged for full ensemble. Featuring the HÂþ»­â€™s newest harp made by renowned manufacturers Lyon and Healy, this shimmering spectacle is a musical and visual delight.Ìý
Ìý
3.30pmÌý
SacconiÌýQuartet: Side by SideÌý
The Sacconi Quartet is joined on stage by HÂþ»­ musicians for a Dvorak’s rousing Serenade for Strings. 

4pm
Historical Harps: An Illustrated HistoryÌý
Using historical harps, and illustrated with imagery and music examples, HÂþ»­ professor Dr Siobhán Armstrong traces the origins of the harp from antiquity to pedal harps of the 19th century. This talk will also reference harps in the HÂþ»­ Museum collection.

Ìý
4pm, 5pm, 5.15pmÌý
Chamber MusicÌý
Enjoy a series of chamber music performances from HÂþ»­ musicians, exploring various programmes on a range of stringed instruments.Ìý
Ìý
6.30pmÌý
Kleio Quartet: RecitalÌý
Bringing the day to a close, the exceptional Kleio Quartet return for an evening of delightful music. Closing the concert HÂþ»­ musicians join the stage for Mendelssohn's Octet.

Image: Kleio Quartet © Agnete Schlichtkrull