Guildhall Young Artists Norwich Summer Holiday Course
Develop your music and drama skills, meet like-minded people and let your creativity flourish on our three-day summer holiday course for ages 5–18.
Key information:
- Course dates:
- Mon 24 – Wed 26 Aug
- Course times:
- 9am–5pm
- Age:
- 5–18
- Art form:
- Drama | Music
- Fees:
- £278
- Deadline:
- Book by Thu 30 July
- Level of study:
- Short Courses & Summer Schools, Workshops & Saturday Centres (under 18)
- Mode of study:
- In-person
- Venue:
- Wymondham High Academy, Folly Rd, NR18 0QT
- Contact details:
- gyanorwich@gsmd.ac.uk
Summer Holiday Course overview
Develop your performing arts skills, meet like-minded people and let your creativity flourish on our three-day summer holiday course.
Choose from four exciting courses, designed for different interests and experience levels:
- Drama – for actors of all experience levels
- Music – for musicians of all experience levels (excluding string players)
- Strings – for string players working at Grade 1–8+
- Contemporary Classical & Jazz – for orchestral and jazz instrumentalists working at Grade 7+
Each course includes practical workshops and plenty of performance opportunities in a supportive and welcoming environment. Explore the options below to learn more.
Step into the spotlight and unleash your creativity on our dynamic Drama Course.
Led by experienced practitioners, sessions will explore a wide range of drama skills including voice and movement, improvisation, devising, and script work. Expect a mix of high-energy workshops, creative collaboration and exciting performance opportunities.
Whether you are completely new to drama or already an experienced performer, this course offers a welcoming space to learn, create, and collaborate. Groups are tailored to different experience levels, making it perfect for aspiring actors, creative young people, and anyone who wants to experience the excitement of live performance.
When: Mon 24th – Wed 26th Aug, 9am – 5pm
Suitable for: Any level or experience.
This vibrant course welcomes young musicians of all abilities, from complete beginners to advanced players.
Enjoy a packed programme of inspiring workshops designed to build confidence, creativity, and performance skills. Activities include ensemble and group playing, songwriting and composition, improvisation, singing and vocal technique, African drumming, tuned percussion, ukulele, guitar, music theory and musicianship.
Explore an exciting mix of musical styles, from classical and jazz to folk, pop, and contemporary music, through hands-on workshops and creative projects.
There will also be opportunities to collaborate in selected workshops, ensembles, and projects across other summer courses, creating a dynamic and creative shared performance experience.
When: Mon 24th – Wed 26th Aug, 9am – 5pm
Suitable for: Any instrument, level or experience.
This inspiring course is open to students from Grades 1–8+, with ensembles carefully matched to each player’s level. Working with our specialist string tutors, students will develop technique, musical understanding and ensemble skills, while exploring a vibrant and varied range of repertoire.
Beginner and Intermediate students will also take part in exciting collaborative projects and creative workshops alongside students from our Summer Music and Drama courses, encouraging creativity, teamwork, and confidence through shared artistic experiences
Advanced students will have the opportunity to spend part of each day working with our Forward Ensemble, diving into contemporary classical repertoire, alongside core chamber music from the String Course.
When: Mon 24th – Wed 26th Aug, 10am – 4pm (Centre open with supervision/informal activities for students to be dropped off/collected between 9am-5pm)
Suitable for: Students Grade 1–8+ on violin, viola, cello, or double bass (students must have a basic level of string playing equivalent to Grade 1)
This advanced course is designed for experienced performers who are ready to explore the challenges of contemporary classical and jazz repertoire.
Students will study a range of demanding works, including Melodien by György Ligeti, Full Fathom Five by Steve Martland, Workers Union by Louis Andriessen, and Landscape by Andrzej Panufnik, alongside core classical chamber repertoire for string players.
The course introduces students to contemporary and avant-garde classical music, as well as works influenced by jazz, street, and rock styles. The repertoire is challenging and designed to stretch advanced musicians, helping them develop confidence, precision, and musical understanding in a supportive environment.
Students will work with specialist music teachers and a specialist guest conductor, to build technical, ensemble and interpretative skills.
When: Mon 24th – Wed 26th Aug, 10am – 4pm (Centre open with supervision/informal activities for students to be dropped off/collected between 9am-5pm)
Suitable for: Students at Grade 7+ (participants should be willing to take on challenging repertoire). Open to orchestral and jazz instrumentalists.
The Music and Drama Course starts at 9am and finishes at 5pm.
The String and 'Forward' Ensemble Course starts at 10am and finishes at 4pm. Students attending these courses are welcome to arrive from 9am and stay until 5pm. The centre will be open and there will be supervised, informal activities available during these times.
Taking place at Wymondham High Academy, Folly Rd, Wymondham NR18 0QT where we’ll have access to their music, drama and art facilities.
Fees
The cost of the Summer Holiday Course is £278 per student, due in full before 15 July 2026.
Early Bird Offer
10% discount for those who book before Tuesday 30 June, provided full payment is received.
Bursaries
Means-tested fee bursaries are available and may cover all or part of a student’s course fees. If you wish to apply, please notify us as soon as possible by emailing gyanorwich@gsmd.ac.uk.
For any GYA Norwich student already in receipt of a GYA bursary, all or part of the Summer Holiday course fees will be covered, depending on the level of bursary awarded.
