Spring 2026
at London Fiddle School
An exciting new chapter in the history of the London Fiddle School has begun. Pete, who founded the school in 2001, retired from fiddle teaching at the end of 2025, and his successor as director of the School is Jenny Newman. Details of all London Fiddle School courses, enrolment and her Newsletter etc. will in future be found on Jenny Newman's website:
jennynewmanfiddle.co.uk/london-fiddle-school
(To keep up to date - join Jenny's Mailing List)
London Fiddle School's
new Director Jenny Newman,
and Pete, Founder and Honorary President,
at his retirement party,
Cecil Sharp House,
November 2025
New 10-week courses
Gently Paced Fiddle Class
with Jenny Newman
In-person class at Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regent's Park Road, London NW1 7AY
Wednesdays 6.15 - 7.30pm
from 21 January (half-term break 18 February) to 1 April
This relaxed, friendly class is not for complete beginners but for those who prefer to learn at a relatively gentle pace. Tunes will be chosen for their suitability to sound satisfying at any speed and to nurture the abilities of participants. Tunes will be drawn mainly from English, Irish and Scottish traditions. The class allows time for participants to work on technical issues such as violin and bow hold, release of tension whilst playing and learning to increase confidence.
Cost £125.00 (Concessions £105.00)
An Introduction to the Weird & Wonderful World of the Donegal Fiddle Tradition (Part 1)
In-person class
Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regent's Park Road, London NW1 7AY
Wednesdays 7.45 - 9.15pm
from 21 January (half-term break 18 February) to 1 April
From beautiful waltzes to banging reels via highlands, barndances, funky jigs and numerous tune types particular to Donegal, we will look at the fascinating tradition through the tunes of legendary players such as John Doherty, Con Cassidy and James Byrne, and discover why this tradition is thriving through the playing of modern players and bands such as Altan and The Friel Sisters.
Cost £125.00 (Concessions £105.00)
An Introduction to the Weird & Wonderful World of the Donegal Fiddle Tradition (Part 1)
Zoom class
Thursdays 7.00 - 8.30pm
from 22 January (half-term break 19 February) to 2 April
This is a repeat of Wednesday's class delivered via Zoom, with limited face to face places for those local to Towcester
Cost £125.00 (Concessions £105.00)
Details of all London Fiddle School courses, and enrolment etc. will in future be found on Jenny Newman's website
 Warm thanks to those of you who made it to my Farewell Session, says Pete. Lots of you turned up at Cecil Sharp House, you played beautifully, and what with the great tunes, wonderful cards, flowers, gifts and speeches, much of it co-ordinated behind the scenes by Sue Lee, this was a retirement party to remember. A dozen more of you joined me from around the country - as well as from Canada, Northern Ireland and Japan! - for the Farewell zoom session. Thanks to all of you for your kind appreciation and wishes.
I'll keep you posted on any of my upcoming gigs, like my Cellar Upstairs folk club gig with Rattle on the Stovepipe on 2 March. Otherwise, it may be a while before I see you again - though Jenny has threatened to invite me back to the fiddle school occasionally as a special guest tutor!
All the best
And Happy Fiddling!
Pete Cooper
Founder and Honorary President
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