Guildhall Young Artists Taunton Ensembles Only Course
Unleash your creativity with our Ensemble Only Course for ages 11–18. Students get to choose two ensembles from our most popular music course to attend each week.
Key information:
- Course dates:
- Saturday term time
- Course times:
- 9am–2.50pm (dependent upon class timetable)
- Age:
- 11–18
- Art form:
- Music
- Fees:
- £280 per term (£28 per week)
- Level of study:
- Short Courses & Summer Schools, Workshops & Saturday Centres (under 18)
- Mode of study:
- In-person
- Venue:
- Richard Huish College, Taunton
- Contact details:
- gyataunton@gsmd.ac.uk
About
Our Ensembles Only Course is a good option for those who are unable to commit to a whole morning or a whole afternoon. Choose from two group classes (60 minutes each) of the ensembles we have on offer from our popular Music Course and Drama Course. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy playing with others whilst still benefiting from the expert tuition at Guildhall Young Artists Taunton.
Ensembles are offered in the following:
- Band practice
- Brass Group
- Drama
- Jazz Band
- Junior Strings Group
- Junior Woodwind Group
- Orchestra
- Percussion Group
- Senior Woodwind Group
- Senior Strings Group
- Singing Ensemble
- Songwriting
Timings for the Ensembles Only Course are subject to the ensembles chosen. Ensembles run from 9am–2.50pm each Saturday. Each student's personalised timetable is arranged in consultation with the Head of Centre.
Fees
£280 per term (£28 per week)
With one-to-one lesson
Add an individual 30-minute instrumental or vocal lesson (subject to availability) for an additional £27 per Saturday + the cost of the Ensembles Only Course.
With paired lesson (drama only)
Drama lessons are also available for those who wish to share the 30-minute lesson with one other student, in which case the lesson cost is an additional £13.50 per Saturday (payable by each student) + the cost of the Ensembles Only Course.
Payment schedule
The course or courses signed up for will be charged for the term. The number of sessions that will need to be paid for will depend on the number of sessions left in the term. Please see our term dates for information.
After the first term has finished, sessions will be charged termly.
Five Week Trial
All new students will be given a five-week trial period (payable) if they have joined Guildhall Young Artists Taunton in the first five weeks of the term. Please see full terms and conditions on our finance and funding page.
Deposit
We ask for a £50 holding deposit to secure your place. On receipt of your application, a friendly member of our team will discuss your requirements noted on the application form and send a payment link for the reservation of a place. This payment will be taken off one terms fees, or any outstanding balance refunded to your account if you give notice within the five-week trial period.
Bursaries
We are able to offer three different bursaries thanks to the generosity of Guildhall Young Artists, Octagon Music Hub (the music education hub for Dorset & Somerset with funds from Arts Council England), and Bishop Fox's Educational Foundation, which all have different criteria. These are means-tested and will enable students to have some or all of their class fees paid for. Travel bursaries are available for students who live in West Somerset. Please refer to our finance and funding page for more information.
AUTUMN TERM DATES 2025
Saturday 20 September – week 1
Saturday 27 September – week 2
Saturday 4 October – week 3
No GYA Taunton on Saturday 11 October, venue unavailable
Saturday 18 October – week 4
Half Term – no GYA Taunton on Sat 25 Oct & 1 Nov
Saturday 8 November – week 5
Saturday 15 November – week 6
Saturday 22 November – week 7
Saturday 29 November – week 8
Saturday 6 December – week 9
Saturday 13 December – week 10
Holidays – no GYA Taunton on Sat 20 & 27 Dec & 3 Jan
SPRING TERM DATES 2026
Saturday 10 January – week 11
Saturday 17 January – week 12
Saturday 24 January – week 13
Saturday 31 January – week 14
Saturday 7 February – week 15
Half Term – no GYA Taunton on Sat 14 & 21 Feb
Saturday 28 February – week 16
Saturday 7 March – week 17
Saturday 14 March – week 18
Saturday 21 March – week 19
Saturday 28 March – week 20
Holidays – no GYA Taunton on Sat 4, 11 & 18 April
SUMMER TERM DATES 2026
Saturday 25 April – week 21
Saturday 2 May – week 22
Saturday 9 May – week 23
Saturday 16 May – week 24
Half Term – no GYA Taunton on Sat 23 & 30 May
Saturday 6 June – week 25
Saturday 13 June – week 26
Saturday 20 June – week 27
Saturday 27 June – week 28
Saturday 4 July – week 29
Saturday 11 July – week 30
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. GYA Taunton expects as close to 100% attendance as possible, to ensure you develop and get the most out of your attendance.
A full term’s notice is required to stop attending (except in exceptional circumstances). This notice period is required to fulfil obligations to the professional tutors, pay for facilities and to encourage you to be fully committed to the courses chosen.
