Guildhall Young Artists Dubai Music Course

Taught by specialist tutors from across the Guildhall Young Artists network, this course develops instrumental and compositional skills in a friendly, motivating, and highly creative environment.

Junior Guildhall strings students performing on stage

Key information:

Course dates:: 19-22 February 2026
Age:: 10-18
Art form:: Music
Fees:: £440 (approximately AED 2195)
Level of study:: Short Courses & Summer Schools, Workshops & Saturday Centres (under 18)
Mode of study:: Holiday Courses
Venue:: New Covent Garden Theatre, Dubai

About the Music Course

Explore a wide range of musical styles, take part in collaborative rehearsals and receive tailored coaching to support your individual growth.

The course finishes with a celebratory performance for family and friends, giving you the chance to showcase what you’ve learned and created during your time with us.

Who is it for?

This course is for students aged 10–18 who want to have fun while developing their musical skills in high-level but friendly and supportive environment. It will also provide invaluable preparation and advice for those thinking about auditioning for music conservatoire in the future.

It is open to students at approximately Grade 4 level or above who either:

1) play a bowed string, wind, brass or percussion instrument

2) play piano or are a composer

Please note that we cannot accommodate voice students and players of recorder, harp, guitar, accordion or amplified instruments. Singers and players of these instruments who wish to join should contact us so we can explore possible options.

What can I expect?

Students can look forward to a dynamic, inspiring timetable that will include:

Large ensemble rehearsals
Chamber music groups
Composition workshops and creative projects
Technique and sectional classes
Individual support, guidance, and feedback

The course finishes with a performance for invited family and friends - a joyful celebration of the week’s achievements.

Please note course content could be subject to change.

Do I need anything?

Your instrument and any accessories you normally use.
If you play auxiliary instruments (e.g. piccolo, Eb clarinet, bass clarinet, cor anglais, piccolo trumpet, flugelhorn), feel free to bring them too.
Any solo repertoire or pieces you are currently working on
Sufficient English language skills to engage fully with the course - if you are unsure if this course is right for you, please contact us at gya-online@gsmd.ac.uk and we will be happy to advise

Meet the tutors

The ensemble will be led by Spencer Down, Creative Director of Guildhall Young Artists.

Spencer works with producers and promoters across all genres of music including classical, rock & pop, and film. He has been orchestral director for high profile events including concerts for Queen Elizabeth II in the ballroom at Buckingham Palace and the world premiere of Grammy award-winning singer Imogen Heap’s Love the Earth at the Royal Albert Hall.

He conducts studio sessions, recently conducting the orchestral sessions for a new Netflix Film at Air Studios. Honoured to be entrusted with Roy Budd's score to the 1925 classic silent film Phantom of the Opera, he conducted the premiere at London's Coliseum and subsequent performance at the Barbican.

In 2012 Spencer received the Freedom of the City of London for his services to music.

The composition element will be led Jeffery Wilson, Composition Coordinator for Guildhall Young Artists.

Jeffery studied at the RCM, Cambridge and Paris and numbers among his teachers John Lambert, Herbert Howells, Gordon Jacob, Aladar Majorossy and Olivier Messiaen. His performances and recordings range from jazz to classical and contemporary and he performs regularly with Saxology, Triptych and for his own project The Reduced History of Jazz.

Jeffery is coordinator and Professor of Composition at Junior Guildhall, Professor of Saxophone at the Royal Military School of Music and examiner for the music faculty at Cambridge University. Of his more than 200 works in the repertoire, about half are published.

Jeffery is the director of Environ Music, a company that promotes learning, special needs awareness and concerts in the UK. He was principal examiner (Jazz) for Guildhall Exams for many years and is now adviser and examiner for Trinity College London.