Advanced Aural Skills for Ages 11-15
This five-day online music course will help develop your existing aural skills to the level required for ABRSM and Trinity Grade 8 and above.
Key information:
- Course dates:
- Mon 28 July – Fri 1 August 2025
- Course times:
- 10am–4pm, BST (UTC+1)
- Age:
- 11–15
- Art form:
- Music
- Fees:
- £475
- Deadline:
- Bookings will close at 5pm on Monday 30 June 2025 or when the course reaches full capacity
- Level of study:
- Short Courses & Summer Schools, Workshops & Saturday Centres (under 18)
- Mode of study:
- Online | Summer Schools
- Venue:
- Online
- When:
- Online Short Courses | Summer Schools (July–August)
Course info
Public booking opens at 11am, Thursday 28 November. Join our mailing list before Monday 25 November to receive priority booking.
Ages 11-15
Course Dates & Times
Monday 28 July – Friday 1 August 2025
10am–4pm, BST (UTC+1)
About Advanced Aural Skills for Ages 11-15
This five-day online music course will help develop your existing aural skills to the level required for ABRSM and Trinity Grade 8 and above.
Who is the course for?
Singers, musicians and/or composers aged 11 to 15 wanting to refine aural skills at a post-grade 5 level.
What can I expect?
You will be taught listening and memorising skills up to the level required for ABRSM and Trinity Grade 8 and above for the following topics:
- Melody:
- copying longer melodic phrases vocally and instrumentally
- singing and playing upper/lower melodies of a two-part phrase
- interval recognition, including compound intervals
- advanced sight-singing
- Harmony:
- revision of cadences
- detailed chord-naming
- tonality, including chromaticism, whole-tone, serialism
- modulation (including practical work)
- Rhythm:
- recognising time-signatures, musical pulse
- advanced rhythm and sight clapping
In addition to the topics listed above, the course will also cover:
- Practical working knowledge of advanced theory
- Mistake spotting: pitch, rhythm, dynamics, articulation, speed
- Style and historical period recognition
- Recognising character and form of music (dance, chorale, elegy, fugue etc.)
- Understanding of structure within form
Do I need anything for the course?
- Your instrument/voice
- Manuscript paper
- Pencil
Course Fee
£475
Public booking opens at 11am, Thursday 28 November. Join our mailing list before Monday 25 November to receive priority booking.
Participation Bursaries are available for this course. Please note the application deadline for Participation Bursaries is 28 April 2025.
Eligibility
- For everyone aged 11–15
- ABRSM Grade 5 instrument and theory (or equivalent level) recommended
- Participants must have sufficient English language skills in order to fully engage with the course
About the Course Tutor
This course is taught by Shelagh Sutherland.
Shelagh is a freelance pianist who has been teaching piano, violin, singing and Alexander Technique since 1972. She has been teaching the aural course at Guildhall School since 1990, which she was instrumental in designing.
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