Wind, Brass & Percussion Summer Course

This four-day course, taught by Junior Guildhall tutors, will develop your wind, brass and percussion skills in a friendly and supportive environment.

Key information:

Course dates:: Mon 28 – Thu 31 July 2025
Course times:: 10.30am–5.30pm
Age:: 12–18
Art form:: Music
Fees:: £485
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 (ages 18+) | Short Courses & Summer Schools, Workshops & Saturday Centres (under 18)
Mode of study:: In-person | Summer Schools
Venue:: Guildhall School of Music & Drama
When:: Summer Schools (July–August)
Contact details:: shortcourses@gsmd.ac.uk; +44 (0)20 7382 2310

Public booking opens at 11am, Thursday 28 November. Join our mailing list before Monday 25 November to receive priority booking.

Ages 12–18

Course Dates & Times

Monday 28 – Thursday 31 July 2025
10.30am–5.30pm

The end-of-course concert will take place on Thursday 31 July.

About Wind, Brass & Percussion Summer Course

This four-day course, taught by Junior Guildhall tutors, will develop your wind, brass and percussion skills in a friendly and supportive environment.

You will explore a range of musical styles and genres and receive valuable support and advice, including a masterclass from a leading guest musician.

The course will culminate in a concert for family and friends, where you can showcase the skills you gained.

Who is the course for?

This course is ideal for young musicians aged 12 to 18 who want to have fun whilst improving their skills. It also provides invaluable preparation and advice for those thinking about auditioning for music school in the future.

The course is for players of all brass and percussion instruments and the following wind instruments: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and saxophone.

What can I expect?

The course includes:

Playing in large ensembles
Playing in chamber groups
Sectional classes
Individual support and advice
An exclusive masterclass from a leading instrumentalist

The course will culminate in a performance for invited family and friends.

Do I need anything for the course?

Your instrument. If you also play piccolo, Eb clarinet, bass clarinet, cor anglais, E flat trumpet, piccolo trumpet and flugelhorn we encourage you to bring these along as well as your main instrument
Mutes: please bring appropriate mutes for your instruments
Repertoire: please bring any solo repertoire that you are currently working on

"The choice of repertoire and approach to the creative ensemble were exceptional and my son felt both positively supported and creatively challenged to achieve his best."

– Sam, parent of participant on Wind, Brass and Percussion Summer School, 2024

Course Fee

£485

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 12–18
Recommended minimum level: ABRSM Grade 3 or similar
Participants must have sufficient English language skills in order to fully engage with the course
Unfortunately, the course cannot accept bookings for recorder, harp, piano, guitar, accordion or any type of amplified instruments.

About the Course Tutor

This course is taught by brass and percussion teachers from Junior Guildhall, led by Spencer Down – Brass Coordinator at Junior Guildhall and Creative Director of Guildhall Young Artists.

Spencer works with producers and promoters across all genres of music including classical, rock & pop, and film. He has been orchestral director for high profile events including concerts for Queen Elizabeth II in the ballroom at Buckingham Palace and the world premiere of Grammy award-winning singer Imogen Heap’s Love the Earth at the Royal Albert Hall.

He conducts studio sessions, recently conducting the orchestral sessions for a new Netflix Film at Air Studios. Honoured to be entrusted with Roy Budd's score to the 1925 classic silent film Phantom of the Opera, he conducted the premiere at London's Coliseum and subsequent performance at the Barbican.

In 2012 Spencer received the Freedom of the City of London for his services to music.