The Virtual Benedetti Sessions, organised by Nicola Benedetti’s Foundation, has since May 11 been offering free online tuition to people of all ages on YouTube and Zoom and across social media platforms. Led by Benedetti and her Foundation team of experts, the classes have focused on orchestral playing, teaching music, and general musicianship – meaning that even those not playing an instrument have been able to join in.

Five days after launching, the Sessions had nearly 8000 participants. As the three-week programme draws to a close, those benefiting have ranged in age from two to 92, hailing from 66 countries (including 41 states in the US). A variety of repertoire has been explored, from a new arrangement of Paganini’s Caprice No 24 to Vaughan Williams’s Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis.

Leading up to the end of the Sessions, there will be a coming together of the global music community for a weekend of activities on May 30 and 31, including a complete performance of the Paganini Caprice, before the grand finale on Sunday May 31 at 4pm BST. To whet people’s appetites for the final event, a series called Paganini Technique Postcards has also just launched, which sees a new video being released every day this week. Each video features a top violinist explaining his or her approach to a particular variation from the Caprice No 24; Alina Ibragimova and Nancy Zhou are among those taking part.

Even those who haven’t signed up for the Sessions can enjoy Benedetti’s YouTube channel playlists and access content, including the final concert on Sunday May 31 – simply visit: https://www.benedettifoundation.org/virtualsessions