For over 25 years, Cambridge Early Music has offered residential study weeks in Baroque and Renaissance music. Our courses are for adult instrumentalists, dancers and singers, who work together and separately in chamber groups and large ensembles. Our courses are firmly established as the highlight of the year for a growing number of amateur and aspiring professional instrumentalists and singers.They are also recognised as a stepping-stone to performing careers in early music. Read more

A significant number of alumni have gone on to have outstanding careers in music, including Clare Wilkinson, late Emma Murphy, Alison KinderTrio Mediæval, ​amarcord and Singer Pur, but equally welcome have always been those for whom music is simply their greatest love.  

We welcome musicians from across the UK and abroad to study the techniques and styles of early music in the delightful atmosphere of Benslow Music, Hitchin. Benslow Music’s tranquil campus is just a 30-minute train ride from Cambridge or London. It provides a wide range of comfortable bedrooms with ensuite or shared bathroom facilities, enviable catering and all sorts of rehearsal and practice rooms. The beautiful gardens provide an inviting space in which to relax and regather energies between sessions. Additionally, all Summer School participants will be able to make use of Benlow Music’s extensive music library during their course. All rooms are on a full-board basis.

Our tutors are highly acclaimed both as teachers and performers. They share their expertise through intensive tuition and concerts in an informal, non-competitive and creative social context, with an emphasis on shared learning.

Our courses are recognised for their success in accommodating players of different levels, and for the ​smaller ensemble sessions which are organised and coached by the tutors. This ensures that no one is left out, that students are introduced to new repertoire and that pieces are tailored to each ensemble.      

The Selene Webb (née Mills) Memorial Bursary Fund supports those whose financial situation would prevent them from attending courses without assistance. We are particularly keen to encourage music students, and those setting out on a career in music, for whom these courses will be exceptionally helpful. We are also grateful for the generous support of the Eastern Early Music Forum (to help participants from Eastern regions), Cambridge University colleges and individual benefactors. Please consider whether you could give us similar support. For more information, to make a donation, or to apply for a bursary, see our Bursaries page. 


Find out more about our previous courses.


*Please note that our Summer Schools are for adults. We can take 16- and 17-year-olds, but only if either accompanied by a resident parent or attending on a non-residential basis.​