Fergus Black is a piano teacher, singing teacher and organ teacher. He works to the Associated Board syllabus. The students he coaches are all ages - from seven-year-old children to adults - and all levels (see here for a profile of his students): all have an enthusiasm to learn, which he finds infectious.
The Peterborough Evening Telegraph described him as an 'inspirational teacher' when he was nominated for a 'Pride in Peterborough' Award.
He has extensive teaching experience, and has trained both children and adults for competition, music exams, auditions, secondary school music entrance exams and concert performances.
Fergus himself, knows how to pass exams successfully: he took his letters in music in 1999. Rather longer ago, when he was at school, he was awarded the Sheila Mossman Prize for the highest marks in the UK for his piano Grade VIII exam. In 2006 he undertook a week of training with the Associated Board, focussing on how grade exams are administered and marked, and how examiners assess the performances they hear.
To qualify as a member of the Private Teachers’ Section of the Incorporated Society of Musicians, the professional body for private music teachers in the UK, Fergus had to demonstrate qualifications, experience and a professional approach.
Applying for lessons
If the enquiry is for someone at school, lessons would only be possible if they attend one of the following Peterborough (UK) schools, when I may be able to offer lessons in school time:
- John Clare Primary School
- The Voyager (piano)
- Stamford School (singing and piano)
- Stamford Junior School (boys’ singing)
- Bourne Grammar School (piano)
- organists
- post-Grade 5 students in Piano or Singing
- members of Peterborough Young Singers
- A-level music students with advanced instrumental skills who need to improve their keyboard skills ( there is a page to view: Teaching Keyboard Skills to A-level students)
- Gifted and Talented students whatever age or level
If you are already having lessons, please bring a piece you can perform (not something you have just started work on).
Not sure? Please look at the other pages here for further information before sending an e-mail. You need to be happy at this stage that I have an approach you would find sympathetic - either as a Piano Teacher, a Singing Teacher, or an Organ Teacher.
Teaching Philosophy
Fergus' teaching philosophy is based on four elements - he combines learning pieces with technical exercises, sight reading / singing and aural training. His favourite quote is:
"I consider that one of the main tasks of a teacher is to ensure as quickly and as thoroughly as possible that he is no longer necessary to the pupil; to eliminate himself, to leave the stage in time; in other words to inculcate in the pupil that independent thinking, that method of work, that knowledge of self and ability to reach his goal which we term maturity, the threshold beyond which begins mastery"
The Art of Piano Playing - Heinrich Neuhaus
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