When 500 Performances Walk Into a Room: Pianist Ritesh Khokhar Brings His Classical Composition Masterclass to The TMSB Stage
31 July 2026
Some mornings stay with you. On 24th May 2026, The Music School Bangalore was privileged to host one of them, as acclaimed pianist, composer, and educator Ritesh Khokhar brought his masterclass on Classical Composition Techniques to The TMSB Stage- and held a room full of musicians completely captivated from the first note to the last. It was a morning that reminded everyone present why live, in-person learning from a master of the craft is something no recording, tutorial, or textbook can replace.
A Masterclass in Classical Composition
Over the course of the session, Ritesh guided students through the foundational principles that underpin great composition, voice leading, harmonic structure, and the architecture of a well-written piece of music. But what made the masterclass truly special was how he connected these classical techniques to the music students listen to and create every day. Classical compositional thinking, as Ritesh demonstrated, is not confined to the concert hall. It shapes great contemporary music too, informing the harmony, the movement, and the emotional impact of songs across every modern genre. For students specialising in music production, composition, and performance, it was a powerful reminder that the principles of the past are the building blocks of the music of the future. These are the kinds of insights that go far beyond technique. They change the way a musician hears, thinks, and creates, and they stay with them for life.
A Career Spanning Over 500 Performances
What gave the masterclass its depth was the experience behind it. Ritesh Khokhar shared insights drawn from a career spanning over 500 performances across India and around the world, a body of work that lends a rare authority to everything he teaches. When a musician with that level of experience walks into a room, students do not just learn techniques. They gain a window into what a life in music actually looks like, the discipline, the artistry, and the endless pursuit of growth that defines a true professional. That perspective is a gift, and one our students will carry with them long after the morning ended.
Why Masterclasses Matter at TMSB
Sessions like this are a core part of the learning experience at The Music School Bangalore. Alongside our structured, OFQUAL-regulated programmes, we believe deeply in exposing our students to working professionals, master practitioners, and diverse musical perspectives. There is only so much that can be taught within a curriculum. The rest is learned by being in the room with someone who has done it, who has performed, composed, struggled, grown, and mastered their craft over a lifetime. Masterclasses bridge that gap, connecting our students directly to the wider world of professional music and the people shaping it. It is one of the many ways TMSB works to develop not just skilled musicians, but complete artists.
Thank You, Ritesh
To Ritesh Khokhar, thank you for an unforgettable morning at The Music School Bangalore. Your generosity, your insight, and your artistry left a lasting impression on every student in the room, and mornings like this are exactly what we hope to give the musicians who study with us.
We look forward to welcoming you back to The TMSB Stage again soon. 🎹
The Music School Bangalore is a contemporary music institution established in 2008, offering OFQUAL-regulated professional programmes in Music Performance, Music Production, Music Composition, and Audio Engineering, with international degree pathways to leading music universities across four continents. TMSB regularly hosts masterclasses, workshops, and live performances as part of its commitment to connecting students with the wider world of professional music.
To learn more, contact us at +91 7848828829 or