Junior Guildhall Kindergarten Course

A girl with black hair and a white t-shirt looks at the camera, her hand touching her chest. A boy in blue stands next to her with his arm out. Two other boys can be seen in the distance.

Key information:

Art form:
Music
Deadline:
1 March 2024 for September 2024 entry
Level of study:
Short Courses & Summer Schools, Workshops & Saturday Centres (under 18)
Mode of study:
In-person
Contact details:
junior@gsmd.ac.uk

About the Kindergarten Course

The Junior Guildhall Kindergarten Course is a two year programme for children in Reception and Year 1 which sits under the umbrella of the Brass and String Training Programmes. The course consists of classes in Kodály and Rhythmics.

Our Kindergarten Course is regarded as an adventure by children and parents alike, allowing children to enjoy their first musical experience through class activities. The games and exercises employed are designed to make learning fun within a structured environment.

The Kindergarten Course aims to inspire the desire to be involved in music-making and provides a highly effective platform from which children can move onto the study of an instrument.

Students can apply to join the Junior Guildhall Kindergarten Course for entry in Reception Year at either one of our two sites: our central London home in Prior Weston School, by the Barbican, or our Essex location at Brentwood School. When applying online, please ensure you have selected ‘Junior Programmes’ followed by either ‘Kindergarten Course’ (for London applications) or ‘Kindergarten Course at Brentwood’ before starting your application form.

Entry Requirements

Applications for the Kindergarten Course will open on January 2nd 2024.

Applications for students entering Reception Year in September 2024 will be accepted from January 2024 to 1 March 2024. Please note that these are children who have their fifth birthday on or between 1 September 2024 and 31 August 2025.

No prior musical training is necessary and we strongly recommend that students refrain from starting an instrument until they have completed the Kindergarten Course. There are a limited number of spaces available at both sites, which are filled via a process of random selection. Those not initially successful in gaining a place will be kept on a waiting list, should a space become available. The closing date for applications is 1 March for entry the following September.

Useful Information

A boy wearing a white jumper, with a red collar sticking out of it, plays the trumpet

Finance and Funding

Junior Guildhall is committed to ensuring that the cost of tuition should not deter you from applying. Find out more about the fees and funding options available.

Lakeside Terrace next to Guildhall School of Music & Drama

Visit Us

We welcome visitors on most Saturdays by arrangement and provide an individually tailored timetable to allow applicants to experience a typical day in the life of a Junior Guildhall student.

A man with grey hair and a blue jumper conducts an orchestra

Collaboration

Much of who we are and what we do is shaped by collaboration. We are always looking for ways to collaborate, and we have established a number of partnerships to enhance the Junior Guildhall student experience.

Three girls sit on a bench. From left to right: One wears a black cardigan, one wears a green jacket and the other wears a grey jumper. A red instrument case stands propped up against the bench in the middle of them.

Student Welfare

The well-being of our students is a prerequisite for their success. Staff are required to undertake regular safeguarding training, which is part of our safeguarding culture at Junior Guildhall.