Key information:
- Course times:
- 4–6pm
- Age:
- Years 2–3
- Fees:
- £72– £160 per term
- Venue:
- MEI Music Centres North, Central and South
About Introduction to Music
Introduction to Music is for children in Years 2 and 3, who want an introduction to core musical skills and their first taste of learning an instrument. Each 60-minute session invites children to channel their creativity and collaborate in a supportive environment.
This course is an ideal next step for those who have completed the Music Explorers course. Beginners also welcome.
The course develops over two years, with weekly 60-minute sessions that includes:
- A musicianship class — explore different musical styles and genres, as well as the fundamental building blocks of music, including pitch control and rhythm.
- A variety of fun activities, including singing, rhyming and musical games.
- Individual and small-group instrumental lessons (when the participant reaches Year 3) — choose an instrument to learn, with the guidance and support of our experienced teachers.
Through these experiences, children will build core musical skills, grow in confidence and get the perfect grounding to start learning an instrument.
| Students living or attending school in Islington | Students not living or attending school in Islington | Students attending a Music Centre School* |
|---|---|---|
| £120 | £160 | £72 |
| Students living or attending school in Islington | Students not living or attending school in Islington | Students attending a Music Centre School* |
|---|---|---|
| £120 | £160 | £72 |
*Music Centre Schools are: Ambler Primary School, St John's Highbury Vale Primary School, Grafton Primary School, Gillespie Primary School, Duncombe Primary School, Yerbury Primary School, St Mark's Primary School, Ashmount Primary School, Canonbury Primary School
Bursaries
All children who qualify for Pupil Premium can apply for a full bursary. For families facing financial challenges, we will process applications on a case-by-case basis to provide further discounts. In order to establish the needs of a family, we will, on occasion, approach the child's school for input.
All successful bursary applications will be charged an annual administration fee of £20. In order to continue accessing a bursary place, we expect at least 80% attendance, reviewed termly.
Music Centre North – Mondays
(Arts and Media School Islington)
September 21, 28 | October 5, 12, 19 | November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Music Centre South – Mondays
(Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School)
September 21, 28 | October 5, 12, 19 | November 9, 16, 23, 30 | December 7
Music Centre Central – Wednesdays
(City of London Academy Highbury Grove)
September 30 | October 7, 14, 21 | November 4, 11, 18, 25 | December 2, 9
Music Education Islington expects as close to 100% attendance as possible from all students.
Bursary funding is granted on the expectation of at least 80% attendance. This is reviewed termly in order to secure the continuation of the bursary.
Notification of illness and planned absence (e.g. school trips) must be given in advance to the MEI admin team. We regret it is not possible to give refunds in the event of absence as the Centres have to continue paying professional tutors and overheads.
Once students are signed up for the 2026-27 academic year, they will not need to sign up again.
You can cancel any provision by giving half a term’s written notice to musiceducation.islington@gsmd.ac.uk. Please note that cancellations can only take effect at the end of a full term, not at half term.
The deadlines for giving notice are:
Friday 30 October 2026 – to stop attending at the end of the Autumn Term.
Friday 19 February 2027 – to stop attending at the end of the Spring Term.
Friday 4 June 2027 – to stop attending at the end of the Summer Term (i.e. not continue into the next academic year).
This policy applies to all Music Centre courses and individual lessons.
Introduction to Music takes place on Mondays and Wednesdays across the following three locations:
- Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School (EGA), Donegal Street, N1 9QG
- Arts and Media School Islington (AMSI), Turle Road, N4 3LS
- City of London Academy, 8 Highbury Grove (COLA HG), N5 2EQ
Instrument Loan Service
We offer instrument loans for all the instruments taught on our courses.
Take a look at the instruments available below. If the instrument you’d like to learn isn’t listed, get in touch with us at musiceducation.islington@gsmd.ac.uk and we’ll be happy to discuss your options.
- Violin
- Viola
- Cello
- Double Bass
- Ukulele
- Guitar (classical, electric, bass)
- Flute
- Oboe
- Bassoon
- Clarinet
- Saxophone
- Trumpet
- French horn
- Trombone
- Euphonium
- Tuba
- Piano
- Keyboard
- Drums
- Voice
