ANGELA LYONS
How do you run a mass educational project during a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic? When British violinist Nicola Benedetti launched her first Benedetti Sessions at the beginning of 2020, little did she foresee the closure of concert halls and ban on gatherings that would shortly take place around the world. In January, the intrepid mentor dedicated two weekends to group learning in London and Glasgow. The events were attended by several thousand string players of all standards and ages, as well as their teachers – a key to Benedetti’s educational ethos, which promotes musical advancement through participation and sharing.
By the time of the March programme in Dundee it was evident that the rest of the year’s meetings – in Antrim, Manchester and Saffron Walden – would be cancelled. Undeterred, Benedetti and her tight-knit team sprang into action, rebranding her events as Virtual Sessions and attracting over 7,000 participants. These culminated in an uplifting Grand Finale at the end of May, featuring hundreds of young musicians in videos recorded from their homes. On page 28 Peter Somerford shares his experiences of the live Benedetti Sessions in January, and speaks to the violinist about pulling off her ambitious digital feat.