Breadcrumb navigation
Centre for Young Musicians Taster Course
CYM offers new and current students aged 8–18, the opportunity to learn less familiar instruments for a taster period of up to three terms.
Applications for September 2024 have now closed. Late applications will be considered if spaces are available. Please get in touch with alice.dagg@gsmd.ac.uk if you have missed the deadline.
Key information:
- Course dates:
- Saturday term time
- Course times:
- From 9am–5pm (subject to your timetable)
- Age:
- 8–18
- Art form:
- Music
- Fees:
- Fees for 2024/25 will be confirmed in Spring 2024
- Deadline:
- 11pm, 1 March 2024
- Level of study:
- Short Courses & Summer Schools, Workshops & Saturday Centres (under 18)
- Mode of study:
- Saturday Courses
- Venue:
- Morley College, London Waterloo
- When:
- Saturdays
- Contact details:
- alice.dagg@gsmd.ac.uk
About the Taster Course
CYM offers new and current students aged 8–18, the opportunity to learn less familiar instruments for a taster period of up to three terms.
Students can choose to study one of the following instruments: Oboe, Bassoon, Recorder, Viola, Double Bass, French Horn, Percussion, Trombone and Tuba.
Ideal for beginners who might be undecided about which instrument to study or music students who may have been thinking about trying their hand at something else.
Students will be expected to show some musical understanding but will not be expected to have experience with the instrument chosen.
We welcome all levels of experience but recommend that applicants applying for any of our courses/programmes, excluding Primary Years, Taster Course or Youth Brass, have a minimum of one year learning an instrument, singing or composing.
Applicants will be assessed via the answers on their application form and audition.
Fees
Fees for 2023/24 can be found here. Fees for 2024/25 will be confirmed in Spring 2024
Payment schedule
We ask you to pay termly or by 10 monthly standing order instalments. We ask for a term’s notice if you decide to withdraw at any point.
Autumn Term Dates 2023
Saturday 16 September - Activities and Induction Day
Saturday 23 September - First Teaching Day
Saturday 30 September
Saturday 7 October
Saturday 14 October
Half-term (no session on 21 or 28 October)
Saturday 4 November
Saturday 11 November
Saturday 18 November
Saturday 25 November
Saturday 2 December
Saturday 9 December
Spring Term Dates 2024
Saturday 6 January
Saturday 13 January
Saturday 20 January
Saturday 27 January
Saturday 3 February
Half-term (no session on 10 February)
Saturday 17 February
Saturday 24 February
Saturday 2 March
Saturday 9 March
Saturday 16 March
Saturday 23 March - Annual Concert
Summer Term Dates 2024
Saturday 20 April
Saturday 27 April
Saturday 4 May
Saturday 11 May
Saturday 18 May
Half-term (no session on 25 May & 1 June)
Saturday 8 June
Saturday 15 June
Saturday 22 June
Saturday 29 June
Saturday 6 July
We regret it is not possible to give refunds in the event of absence as the Centre has to continue paying professional tutors and overheads. CYM expects as close to 100% attendance as possible, to ensure you get the most out of your studies.
A full term’s notice is required to stop attending CYM. This notice period is required to fulfil obligations to the professional tutors, pay for facilities and to encourage young participants to be fully committed to the courses they’ve chosen.