Picnic Weekend 4-6 July

Event
Written By Beth King

📅 Friday 4 - Sunday 6 July 2025
Location: Fairlight Hall, Martineau Lane, Fairlight, Hastings TN35 5DR

 

Four of our previous prizewinners return to Hastings for a very special weekend of events at Fairlight Hall: Curtis Phill Hsu and Harmony Zhu, winner of first and second prize in 2024; Mariamna Sherling, who won third prize in 2022;  and Gabrielė Sutkutė, who has become a firm favourite through her work on our community projects.

The weekend will include a Pimm’s & Piano informal concert on Friday, a series of masterclasses on Saturday, an illustrated talk by Julian Dendy of Steinway, and a concert by all four prizewinners on the Sunday afternoon. The weekend offers the chance to get to know these fabulous young artists, and hear some wonderful music-making in the glorious surroundings of Fairlight Hall.  

See separate event pages for all the details and links to our booking pages. And why not get yourself in the mood by listening to our Picnic Weekend playlist here!

Featured
Picnic Weekend: Picnic Concert 6 July 2025
Picnic Weekend: Picnic Concert 6 July 2025

Our own fab four - Curtis Phill Hsu, Harmony Zhu, Mariamna Sherling and Gabrielė Sutkutė - are all spectacular pianists in their own right. This afternoon’s concert offers a tantalising glimpse of each; all four will give a short but perfectly formed recital with music ranging from Rameau and Chopin, to Granados, Ravel and Debussy.

Picnic Weekend: Illustrated Talk, Sunday 6 July
Picnic Weekend: Illustrated Talk, Sunday 6 July

How do you prepare a piano for performance? How are keys balanced and hammers adjusted – and what difference does this make to pianist and listener? Julian Dendy of Steinway & Sons lets us into his trade secrets.

Picnic Weekend: Open Masterclasses 5 July 2025
Picnic Weekend: Open Masterclasses 5 July 2025

As part of our Picnic Weekend at Fairlight Hall, we're delighted to welcome you to be a fly on the wall as Curtis Phill Hsu, Gabrielė Sutkutė, Harmony Zhu and Mariamna Sherling take part in open Masterclasses with Professors Aaron Shorr and Vanessa Latarche.

Picnic Weekend: Pimm’s and Piano, 4 July 2025
Picnic Weekend: Pimm’s and Piano, 4 July 2025

As part of our Picnic Weekend at Fairlight Hall, we're delighted to welcome 2024 winner Curtis Phill Hsu and Gabrielė Sutkutė, who took part in the 2022 Competition and has since become a firm favourite in Hastings through her work for our Learning & Participation programme.

Beth King
Previous

Mariamna Sherling in Alfriston: 18 July 2025
Next

Picnic Weekend: Picnic Concert 6 July 2025