Junior Guildhall Brass & String Training Programmes
Junior Guildhall provides training programmes for students in Years 2 to 6 on string and brass instruments. Embracing Kodály, Rhythmics, ensemble training and individual instrumental tuition, the integrated courses provide an enjoyable first experience of music-making.
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About the Brass and String Training Programmes
Key information:
- Art form:
- Music
- Deadline:
- 1 March 2025 for September 2025 entry
- Level of study:
- Short Courses & Summer Schools, Workshops & Saturday Centres (under 18)
- Mode of study:
- In-person
- Contact details:
- junior@gsmd.ac.uk
About the Brass and String Training Programmes
Junior Guildhall provides training programmes for students in Years 2 to 6 on String and Brass instruments. Embracing Kodály, Rhythmics, ensemble training and individual instrumental tuition, the integrated courses provide an enjoyable first experience of music-making, a foundation in basic musical skills, a firm technical grounding on a chosen instrument and fun and games in group music-making.
Following an internal selection process, students in Year 1 of the Kindergarten Course will be invited to continue to Year 2 of the String or Brass Training Programme at which point they will commence instrumental studies alongside continuing Kodály and Rhythmics provision. Applications from external applicants will be considered from Year 3 onwards.
Brass and String Training Programmes (Barbican, London)
The instruments supported on the Brass and String Training Programmes are:
Cello
Double Bass
French Horn
Guitar (Classical)
Harp
Trombone
Trumpet
Viola
Violin
String Training Programme (Brentwood School, Essex)
Students on the String Training Programme at Brentwood School follow a similar course within the excellent facilities of the Brentwood School Music Department. First study instruments available on this programme are:
- Violin
- Viola
- Cello
Piano lessons may be chosen as an extra study, subject to availability.
Students receive 30 weeks of lessons over the academic year on Saturdays. Classes take place between 8am and 6pm, dependent on the student’s year group and chosen activities.
The course fee covers a weekly 20-minute one-to-one lesson (increasing to 30 minutes in Year 3), a Kodály class, a Rhythmics class and an instrumental ensemble.
Students learn from highly qualified and experienced teachers who are specialists in their field.
Musical and technical aspects of learning an instrument are delivered in a way that is fun, drawing on games and exercises that stimulate the children while allowing them to learn in a structured manner.
All students receive feedback from class and instrumental teachers via an annual report, as well as guidance on progress and advice about progression at the end of the course.
By the end of the programme, children will have developed a set of key musical skills which they will be able to apply to their instrumental studies.
All children are encouraged to fulfil their potential and those showing particular talent and commitment can audition for a place on the Junior Guildhall Music Course following the conclusion of the Training Programme provision at the end of Year 6.
These notes are taken from the Agreement parents sign when accepting a Junior Guildhall place. If you would like a copy of the Agreement please contact the Junior Guildhall office.
- Junior Guildhall students are not permitted to participate in masterclasses or take instrumental lessons outside the School (unless with the student’s Junior Guildhall teacher) on instruments studied at the School unless permission is granted by the Head of Junior Guildhall.
- The full annual fee will vary according to any timetable requests made and the first instalment of fees must be paid prior to the commencement of tuition.
- Students are expected to remain at Junior Guildhall for a full academic year (or remainder of the academic year if tuition commenced after the start of the year). If a student is withdrawn from the course at any time during the year, the full annual fee (or proportion of annual fees if the student started after the commencement of the academic year) will still be payable unless dispensation has been granted by the Head of Junior Guildhall. If a parent wishes to withdraw a student at the end of the academic year, notice must be given in writing to the Head of Junior Guildhall no later than 1 April.
- Students are accepted into Junior Guildhall on the understanding that they make satisfactory progress and that they attend regularly. When students wish to be absent, permission must be requested in writing the Head of Junior Guildhall. Students should not arrange other activities on a term time Saturday or concert day until permission for absence has been granted by the School.
- Please note that we do not give students permission to miss concerts/performances or important rehearsals.
- Leave of absence will normally be granted for days when a student is not involved in a concert/performance, an important rehearsal, an internal assessment or other important event. Repeated absence can be detrimental to a student’s musical progress and very disruptive to ensemble work. For this reason, the Head of Junior Guildhall will normally only grant a student one absence per term. Absence from Saturdays may reduce a student’s chances of participation in Chamber Music. Written requests for absence should be made as early as possible.
- In the interest of all students, Junior Guildhall concerts and performances must have priority over any outside engagements that students may be offered. Principal concert dates are available from the Administrator more than a year in advance.
- The Office should be informed as soon as possible if a student is ill so that relevant teachers can be notified.
- The School occasionally arranges for photographs to be taken of the students. This is carried out in an unobtrusive manner and may be used for record and archival purposes. Junior Guildhall will seek separate permission if the images are to be used in the prospectus or in other published material and/or multi-media relating to the School.
These notes and conditions are subject to change from time to time. Parents will be notified in writing in advance of any such changes. On accepting a place, parents will receive a Handbook which details Junior Guildhall’s procedures and policies.
Entry Requirements
Children will be invited to progress from Year 1 of the Kindergarten Course following internal teacher assessment.
The child’s music skills will be monitored throughout the course via continuous assessment.
Please note, not all children that have completed the Kindergarten Course will be offered a place on the String and Brass Training Programme. It is our priority to ensure that the child is at the right level for this programme so that they feel comfortable and are as receptive as possible to the new skills that the programme teaches. If the decision has been made that your child is not at the right level, parents will be informed in advance of the course end date and an alternative music course at another Guildhall Young Artists centre, that is more suitable for the child, will be recommended.
For those students that haven’t completed the Kindergarten Course
There are occasional opportunities for external applicants to enter the programme without having completed the Kindergarten Course. In the first instance parents should contact the Junior Guildhall office to check on availability of places. Following application, a formal audition will be arranged.
It will generally be expected that a child who is already learning an instrument should be prepared to play two contrasting pieces, a few scales, sight-reading and to answer some general questions to establish level of musicianship. While auditions are highly competitive, the panel will be looking for evidence of musical potential, ability to concentrate and the level of development of motor skills.
Late applications will generally be considered if spaces are available. However, there may be a delay in arranging an audition date. We do try to hear all applications but cannot guarantee a place even if the student is of our entry level. In such cases, students may be placed on a reserve list.
Applications for entry in September 2025 open on 7 January 2025 and close 11.59pm, 1 March 2025.
Please get in touch if you have missed the deadline.
