Music Explorers
A fun and creative musical adventure for children in Reception and Year 1, aged 4-6.
Key information:
- Course dates:
- Tuesdays in term time
- Course times:
- 4–5pm
- Age:
- Reception and Year 1
- Fees:
- £72–£160 per term (discounts and bursaries available)
- Venue:
- 1. West Library, Thornhill Square 2. St Peter and St Paul Catholic Primary School
About Music Explorers
Music Explorers is an adventure in music for Reception and Year 1 children aged 4-6. Each 45-minute session invites children to explore, play and discover music in their own way.
At the heart of the course is a child-led approach. As the course progresses, children have plenty of opportunities to sing, perform and create music together. Through these experiences, they will build confidence and develop important communication and social skills.
A weekly 45-minute session that includes:
- A variety of fun activities, including singing, rhyming and musical games
- Lots of creativity — our friendly music leaders tune into each child's unique way of being musical, encouraging them to explore their ideas through musical instruments, singing and movement.
| 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
There is an additional sibling discount of 10% for students living or attending school in Islington.
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 Explorers – Tuesdays
West Library and St Peter & St Paul's School
September 22, 29 | October 6, 13, 20 | November 3, 10, 17, 24 | December 1
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.
Music Explorers takes place on Tuesdays across the following two locations:
- Islington West Library, 107 Bridgeman Road, N1 1BD
- St Peter's and St Paul's Primary School, Compton Street, EC1V 0FU
Please note, both venues have step-free access.
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
