Junior Conservatoire courses

The Young Strings Project offers tuition to beginners as young as four years old. Teaching takes place both individually and, for violin, viola and cello, in groups following the Suzuki method.

The Young Strings package includes choirs and classes for Kodály and Dalcroze Eurhythmics. Kodály training is based on teaching, learning and understanding music through the experience of singing, while Dalcroze uses movement to music to develop an understanding of rhythm, form and ensemble.

Fee information is available from the Junior Conservatoire office.

Our Primary Winds Programme runs on Saturdays during school term time and enables children aged eight and upwards (Primary years 4-6) to learn a woodwind instrument in a fun and nurturing environment.

Students may join the Primary Winds Programme at:

Tier 1: Beginners or Tier 2: Grade 2 and above

Each tier will normally comprise: 

• a 30-minute shared lesson on flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon or saxophone

• Woodwind Workshop (1.5 hours to include recorder club, woodwind ensemble and musicianship games and activities)

For further details about the Primary Winds Programme, please contact Mia Walters: mia.walters@bcu.ac.uk

The Classical course concentrates on western classical music, offering specialist one-to-one tuition, plus a range of ensemble activities designed to develop both technical skill and musicality. There are frequent performance opportunities.

Principal study areas

• Violin, viola, cello, double bass, guitar, harp and lever harp
• Flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon, recorder
• Trumpet, French horn, euphonium, trombone, tuba
• Percussion
• Piano, organ, harpsichord
• Voice
• Composition

The minimum weekly package is made up of:

• Principal study lesson 60 minutes
• General musicianship class 60 minutes
• Chamber music or ensemble
• Choir 45 minutes
• Orchestral training (audition required) 60-150 minutes

Options

• Extra time for principal or second study lessons
• One-to-one composition lessons

Selection onto the course is by Audition.

Assessment

You are required to undertake an annual assessment in the form of a public performance and a technical exam. These exams monitor your development as you progress through the Junior Conservatoire and provide a focus to each year's work. In addition to our internal assessment, Associated Board exams are held in the Conservatoire at the end of each term.

Fee information is available from the Junior Conservatoire office

Apply now

Our Jazz course runs two classes (at intermediate and advanced levels) each Saturday. The most accomplished students may be offered the opportunity to work in the advanced ensemble.

The course concentrates on developing improvisation skills and general jazz musicianship, and is available for the following instruments:

• Saxophone, trumpet, trombone
• Piano, guitar, bass guitar, double bass
• Drums and percussion.

Other instruments may be accepted at the Junior Conservatoire’s discretion.

Jazz classes last 2 hours and involve a combination of:

• Jazz theory and aural
• Jazz combo coaching
• Improvisation classes

Selection onto the course is by Audition.

Options

• Principal study lesson (30 minutes) available in clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, drum kit, keyboard, guitar and double bass.
• Extra time for principal or second study lessons
• Advanced ensemble
• One-to-one composition lessons

Assessment

You are required to undertake an annual assessment in the form of a public performance and a technical exam. These exams monitor your development as you progress through the Junior Conservatoire and provide a focus to each year’s work. In addition to our internal assessment, Associated Board exams are held in the Conservatoire at the end of each term.

Fee information is available from the Junior Conservatoire office

Apply now

The Classical course concentrates on western classical music, offering specialist one-to-one tuition, plus a range of ensemble activities designed to develop both technical skill and musicality. There are frequent performance opportunities.

Principal study areas

• Violin, viola, cello, double bass, guitar, harp and lever harp
• Flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon, recorder
• Trumpet, French horn, euphonium, trombone, tuba
• Percussion
• Piano, organ, harpsichord
• Voice
• Composition

The minimum weekly package is made up of:

• Principal study lesson 60 minutes
• General musicianship class 60 minutes
• Chamber music or ensemble
• Choir 45 minutes
• Orchestral training (audition required) 60-150 minutes

Options

• Extra time for principal or second study lessons
• One-to-one composition lessons

Selection onto the course is by Audition.

Assessment

You are required to undertake an annual assessment in the form of a public performance and a technical exam. These exams monitor your development as you progress through the Junior Conservatoire and provide a focus to each year's work. In addition to our internal assessment, Associated Board exams are held in the Conservatoire at the end of each term.

Fee information is available from the Junior Conservatoire office

Apply now

A specialist Chamber Music course designed for advanced players is offered on Saturday.

As well as weekly classes with specialist tutors, the course offers regular performance opportunities and masterclasses from visiting ensemble.

Students may apply as individuals or as part of an existing ensemble. Advanced students on the Classical course may choose to combine the two courses.

Selection is by Audition.

Fee information is available from the Junior Conservatoire office

Our Jazz course runs two classes (at intermediate and advanced levels) each Saturday. The most accomplished students may be offered the opportunity to work in the advanced ensemble.

The course concentrates on developing improvisation skills and general jazz musicianship, and is available for the following instruments:

• Saxophone, trumpet, trombone
• Piano, guitar, bass guitar, double bass
• Drums and percussion.

Other instruments may be accepted at the Junior Conservatoire’s discretion.

Jazz classes last 2 hours and involve a combination of:

• Jazz theory and aural
• Jazz combo coaching
• Improvisation classes

Selection onto the course is by Audition.

Options

• Principal study lesson (30 minutes) available in clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, drum kit, keyboard, guitar and double bass.
• Extra time for principal or second study lessons
• Advanced ensemble
• One-to-one composition lessons

Assessment

You are required to undertake an annual assessment in the form of a public performance and a technical exam. These exams monitor your development as you progress through the Junior Conservatoire and provide a focus to each year’s work. In addition to our internal assessment, Associated Board exams are held in the Conservatoire at the end of each term.

Fee information is available from the Junior Conservatoire office

Apply now