Guildhall Young Artists Taunton Music Course
Our hands-on music course for ages 11–18 will see you take part in a variety of weekly classes, tailored to your experience and interests.
Key information:
- Course dates:
- Saturday term time
- Course times:
- 9am–2.50pm (dependent upon class timetable)
- Age:
- 11–18
- Art form:
- Music
- Fees:
- £360 per term (£36 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 the Music Course
Whether you simply want to spend a few hours making music with newfound friends, or are thinking about taking your passion for music a step further, you can be sure to ignite your creativity and have lots of fun, whilst learning from top practitioners and industry professionals.
You will be put into a group depending on the information stated on your application form, to ensure that sessions are tailored to your experience. Sessions will cover multiple genres and styles, including classical, jazz, rock & pop and singing.
Timings for the Music Course are subject to the classes chosen. Most students attend from 9am–12.20pm or 10am–1.20pm or 11.20am–2.50pm each Saturday.
Classes and ensembles are offered in the following:
- Band practice
- Brass
- Composition
- Exploring music / Theory
- Jazz Band
- Junior Strings
- Junior Woodwind
- Music Production & DJing
- Composition / Theory
- Orchestra
- Senior Strings
- Senior Woodwind
- Singing
- Songwriting
Our Ensembles Only Course is a good option for those who are unable to commit to a whole morning. Choose from two group classes (60 minutes each) in the instruments/sessions listed above.
We are able to combine both music and drama courses for the same price as the stand-alone music/drama courses. Please let us know if this is something the applicant would be interested in when submitting an enquiry form.
Individual lessons can be arranged alongside the Music Course for an additional cost of £27 per 30-minute lesson. When applying, please let us know if this is something the applicant would be interested in.
Fees
£360 per term (£36 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 Music 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.
