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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 RCM 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 RCM musicians and Junior Department groups. 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 RCM’s magnificent performance spaces, which perfectly complement their rich sound. Alongside, pop-up performances in the RCM café, The Carolean, will entertain you over coffee and cake, and don’t forget to visit the RCM 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 RCM 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 RCM Luthier – the ‘Sherlock Holmes’ of the violin world – Florian Leonhard MBEÌýHonRCMÌýtakes 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 RCM café, The Carolean.Ìý
Ìý
1pmÌý
RCM Guitar ShowcaseÌý
Hear exceptional RCM guitarists perform works from classical to contemporary.
Ìý
1.30pmÌý
RCM String Orchestra: Lunchtime Concert
RCM post-graduate conductorÌýBen DraperÌýleads the RCM 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 RCM guitar professor Christopher Stell.Ìý
Ìý
2.45pmÌý
Harp ShowcaseÌý
On special occasions the RCM brings togetherÌýa number ofÌýharps on one stage to perform repertoire arranged for full ensemble. Featuring the RCM’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
TheÌýSacconiÌýQuartet is joined on stage by RCM musicians for aÌýrousingÌýprogramme of music, includingÌýDvorak’sÌýSerenade for Strings. Ìý
Ìý
4pmÌý
The Historical Harp with Oliver WassÌý
RCM professor Oliver Wass introduces the historical harp in this session, featuring performance excerpts on instruments from the RCM collection, alongside references to the fascinatingÌýselectionÌýon display in the Museum.Ìý
Ìý
4pm, 5pm, 5.15pmÌý
Chamber MusicÌý
Enjoy a series of chamber music performances from RCM 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.Ìý

Image: Kleio Quartet © Agnete Schlichtkrull