In response to the growing demand for expert training of very young children, the Guildhall School has developed a string course for beginners or recent starters. It takes place on Saturdays in the School’s John Hosier Practice Annexe, which offers a secure environment for young children. The children receive 30 lessons in each subject over the academic year divided between three terms. There are also a few extra Saturdays on which teachers can offer “make-up” lessons.

There are approximately 110 students on the Programme and the teaching mostly takes place between 8.30am and 2.30pm. Instruments taught on the programme are the violin, viola, cello, mini bass, harp and guitar.

The programme aims to provide children with:

The String Training Programme provides a thorough training in all the musical and technical aspects of learning a string instrument for children aged between six and eleven years old. It uses a curricular approach to teaching based on the Kodály method, Eurhythmics and the Guildhall School’s string curriculum. It aims to make learning fun, drawing on games and exercises that stimulate the children while allowing them to learn in a structured manner. Teachers are specialists in their given area of teaching and have a working knowledge of the other disciplines being taught. All staff are highly qualified and experienced teachers.

By the end of the String Training Programme, children will have learned a series of musical skills which they will be able to apply to their instrumental studies. The children are all encouraged to work to their fullest ability and those who show particular talent and commitment to their musical studies can audition for a place on the Junior Guildhall Music Course.

Students usually enter the programme at the beginning of Year 2* (Year 2 children are those who have their seventh birthday on or between 1 September and 31 August) and can remain on the programme up to the end of Year 6.

There is a set course fee for Years 2 to 6. The instrumental lesson automatically increases from 20 to 30 minutes as children progress to Year 3. The length of the lesson may be increased with both teacher and parental approval. Extra study piano lessons can also be requested.

If the length of the instrumental lesson is increased, or if piano lessons are taken, there is an extra charge.

* There are sometimes a few places available for children, who have already started learning an instrument, to enter in Years 3 to 5.  Please contact the Junior Guildhall office for availability. We generally have space available for any children wishing to study the mini-bass.

The Kindergarten course sits under the umbrella of the String Training Programme and offers class work in Kodály and Eurhythmics for children in Reception Year and Year 1 (Reception Year children are those who have their fifth birthday on or between 1 September and 31 August and Year 1 are those who have their sixth birthday on or between these dates). The classes take place in the afternoon and are 30 minutes in length. Children attend for 30 weeks over the academic year in line with the String Training Programme.

Entry onto the course is usually in Reception Year. There is no audition procedure and no prior musical training is neessary. However there is often a waiting list as the course is frequently oversubscribed.

Parents will need to make a separate application if they wish their child to progress to the String Training Programme (Year 2). There is no automatic progression onto the Programme.