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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.

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 2025/26 will be confirmed in Spring 2025
- Deadline:
- 3 March 2025
- 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: Clarinet, Saxophone, Oboe, Bassoon, Recorder, Viola, Double Bass, 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 2025/26 can be found here. Fees for 2026/27 will be confirmed in Spring 2026
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 2025
Saturday 13 September - Activities and Induction Day
Saturday 20 September - First Teaching Day
Saturday 27 September
Saturday 4 October
Saturday 11 October
Saturday 18 October
Half-term (no session on 25 October & 1 November)
Saturday 8 November
Saturday 15 November
Saturday 22 November
Saturday 29 November
Saturday 6 December
Spring Term Dates 2026
Saturday 10 January
Saturday 17 January
Saturday 24 January
Saturday 31 January
Saturday 7 February
Saturday 14 February
Half-term (no session on 21 February)
Saturday 28 February
Saturday 7 March
Saturday 14 March
Saturday 21 March
Saturday 28 March - Annual Concert
Summer Term Dates 2026
Saturday 18 April
Saturday 25 April
Saturday 2 May
Saturday 9 May
Saturday 16 May
Half-term (no session on 23 & 30 May)
Saturday 6 June
Saturday 13 June
Saturday 20 June
Saturday 27 June
Saturday 4 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.