Guildhall School launches Propel Pathway to improve access to conservatoire study
A two-year pilot programme which supports aspiring young musicians from low-income households to prepare for studying at conservatoire level, supported by Purposeful Ventures.
Guildhall School of Music & Drama is pleased to introduce the Propel Pathway, a programme offering bespoke tuition to state-educated musicians from low-income households in the UK.
The Propel Pathway is being launched as a two-year pilot, and will support those who aspire to study Strings, Vocal, Keyboard or Wind, Brass and Percussion on the School’s undergraduate Bachelor of Music Honours (BMus (Hons)) programme.
There are two pathways on offer:
Pre-application Propel is for musicians currently in Year 12 (or equivalent level of study) who intend to apply to conservatoires for September 2027 entry. Six participants receive 20 hours of tuition each with Guildhall School’s renowned tutors, helping to prepare them for the competitive audition process.
Post-application Propel will support current applicants to the BMus (Hons) programme who are assessed by their audition panel as not quite ready for study but demonstrate the potential to benefit from the additional support the Propel Pathway offers. Again, six participants are offered 20 hours of tuition with Guildhall School tutors, with a view to becoming ready for study by September 2026.
Applications to pre-application Propel are open now, with a deadline of Monday 3 November 2025. Potential participants for post-application Propel will be contacted following their audition.
Armin Zanner FGS, Vice-Principal & Director of Music at Guildhall School, said:
"Our purpose at Guildhall School is to be the home of exceptional training in the performing arts, helping people to live well, in a world worth living in.
"Student musicians come here because they have been inspired in their own lives by the power of music. They have experienced the difference our alumni make through their talent, from their local communities to the world’s greatest stages.
"Too often young people with the inspiration, the talent, and the vision to create a better world, lack the opportunities or resources to make it all the way to our doors. I’m excited to discover how, with this new support, more young people can join us and realise their full extraordinary potential.”
Ashleigh Hope, Head of Access and Participation at Guildhall School, said:
“At Guildhall School we recognise that too many young people are unable to access consistent, quality music tuition through their mainstream education, and that the cost of private music tuition is out of reach of many families.
"The Propel Pathway is a fantastic addition to our music activity portfolio, allowing us to consider young musicians’ musical achievements within their context and to support their preparation for conservatoire-level study, building a bespoke programme of tuition delivered by our world-class music tutors. We are so grateful for the opportunity to pilot this programme and are ready to work with talented musicians to help them realise their aspirations.”
The Propel Pathway is being launched as a two-year pilot, supported by Purposeful Ventures as part of their new Music & Arts portfolio. Further information on both pathways, including eligibility and how to apply, can be found at Propel Pathway.
The Propel Pathway is part of a wide range of free opportunities Guildhall School offers to encourage applications from students whose backgrounds are underrepresented in higher education. To find out more about these activities, visit Access & Participation.