Colourstrings Phase 2B Teacher Training Course for Violin, Viola and Cello
Friday 23rd – Sunday 25th May 2025
Kingston University, Kingston Hill campus, Kingston Hill, Kingston upon Thames, KT2 7LB
Tutors: Géza Szilvay & Rachel Erdos, Violin, Csaba Szilvay and Maryan Balkwill, Cello
Colourstrings is an internationally recognised approach to music education which was developed in the 1970s by the Hungarian brothers Géza and Csaba Szilvay, who are well known to string players and educators the world over. It is essential, particularly in the early years, that instrumental teaching is of the highest quality.
These formative first years are crucial for the child’s future in music. The Colourstrings approach, built on the philosophy, ethnomusicology and pedagogy of Zoltán Kodály , creates a firm musical foundation for the child. At the very beginning of learning to play an instrument the child will master the elements on which nearly all of the later musical and technical requirements are based. Through Colourstrings, children receive a ‘musical parcel’ which encompasses the development of technical skills, a trained ear, a deep understanding of music and outstanding expressional skills in music. Colourstrings Instrumental Teacher Training offers a profound knowledge of the Colourstrings approach to instrumental learning.
For the 2B course, we hope that the 3 days we spend together will be a communication between colleagues without hierarchy. We’ll exchange our experiences, positive or negative, and will help each other. course for string players and teachers in Budapest, Hungary, led by the authors Csaba and Géza Szilvay.
Violin / Viola Course 2B Description: During the phase 2B course we will be teaching from books C and D, Scales for Children 1&2 and Arpeggios, Rascals Volumes 2 and 4. Géza will also be talking about his books G. Emphasis is placed on guided/”hands on” teaching and there will be some teaching with children from Colourstrings Music School.
Cello Course 2B Description: During the Phase 2B course we will be teaching from Books G, ‘Daily Cello Technique’, Piattini, Rascals sonatas volumes 1, 4, 5, 6. Emphasis is placed on guided/“hands on” teaching and there will be some teaching with children from Colourstrings Music School.
Required Books for Phase 2B
Participants will need their own copies of Colourstrings materials to use on this course Please see the book list below.
| Violin / Viola | Cello |
| Books C and D | Cello Book G |
| <ul>Scales for children 1 | Daily Cello Techniques |
| Rascals Sonatas vols 1, 2 and 4 | Piattini |
| Chamber Music for Young String Players, Volumes 1 and 3 | Rascals Sonatas vols 1, 2, and 4 |
| Repertoire for cello from English speaking countries (Maryan Balkwill) | |
| Also Cello Book E (as part of 2A course) |
A 15% discount at www.colourstringsbooks.com is available using the code “london2025” which is valid from May 15 2005 until 15 June 2025.
There will also be a limited number of loan copies of the books to borrow for the duration of the course – email Angela on as soon as possible, if this is something you need.
Practical Information
Course Title: Phase 2B Teacher Training Course Géza Szilvay and Csaba Szilvay with Rachel Erdos and Maryan Balkwill
Dates / Timings:
Friday 23rd May 9:00 – 7:00 pm (registration from 9:00 – 9:45 in room )
Saturday 24th May 9:00 – 7:00 pm
Sunday 25th May 9:00 – 6:00 pm
Address: Kingston University, Kingston Hill campus, Kingston Hill, Kingston upon Thames, KT2 7LB Information about how to get to the site is available here.
Cost: £550 normal / £470 ESTA members
Booking: Complete the form and submit. Any questions should be directed to
Instructions: On the first day, please come to , to register. we will be using the following rooms: (violin, viola) and (cello).
Tea and coffee will be provided. Please bring a reusable cup, if you can.
Food options: TBC on Friday and Saturday lunchtime, the canteen at Kingston University will be open.
There are very limited places to buy food within walking distance of the campus so you are best advised to bring your own food for the day. On the Friday and Saturday evenings there is the possibility that a block booking can be made at a pub / restaurant in Kingston if enough participants would like to go
Accommodation:
Premier Inn, Kingston-upon-Thames (20 mins by bus K3 or 85)
Premier Inn, Putney Bridge (30 mins by bus 85)
Travelodge, Kingston-upon-Thames (20 mins bus K3 or 85)
Booking.com using the Kingston Hill camp;us, p;ostcode: KT2 7LB
AirBnB using the Kingston Hill campus, p;ostcode: KT2 7LB.
Application: Fill out the application form and submit. Queries should be sent to