Advanced Aural Skills for Ages 11-15

This course now has limited places. Please join our waiting list and we will contact you if a place is still available.

• Please note that accommodation is not available
• Read our terms and conditions

Ages 11-15

Course Dates & Times

Monday 28 July – Friday 1 August 2025
10am–4pm, BST (UTC+1)

About Advanced Aural Skills for Ages 11-15

This five-day online music course will help develop your existing aural skills to the level required for ABRSM and Trinity Grade 8 and above.

Who is the course for?

Singers, musicians and/or composers aged 11 to 15 wanting to refine aural skills at a post-grade 5 level.

What can I expect?

You will be taught listening and memorising skills up to the level required for ABRSM and Trinity Grade 8 and above for the following topics:

• Melody:
  
  • copying longer melodic phrases vocally and instrumentally
  • singing and playing upper/lower melodies of a two-part phrase
  • interval recognition, including compound intervals
  • advanced sight-singing
• Harmony:
  
  • revision of cadences
  • detailed chord-naming
  • tonality, including chromaticism, whole-tone, serialism
  • modulation (including practical work)
• Rhythm:
  
  • recognising time-signatures, musical pulse
  • advanced rhythm and sight clapping

In addition to the topics listed above, the course will also cover:

• Practical working knowledge of advanced theory
• Mistake spotting: pitch, rhythm, dynamics, articulation, speed
• Style and historical period recognition
• Recognising character and form of music (dance, chorale, elegy, fugue etc.)
• Understanding of structure within form

Do I need anything for the course?

• Your instrument/voice
• Manuscript paper
• Pencil

Course Fee

£475

This course now has limited places. Please join our waiting list and we will contact you if a place is still available.

• Please note that accommodation is not available
• Read our terms and conditions

Participation Bursaries are available for this course. Please note the application deadline for Participation Bursaries is 28 April 2025.

Eligibility

• For everyone aged 11–15
• ABRSM Grade 5 instrument and theory (or equivalent level) recommended
• Participants must have sufficient English language skills in order to fully engage with the course 

About the Course Tutor

This course is taught by Shelagh Sutherland.

Shelagh is a freelance pianist who has been teaching piano, violin, singing and Alexander Technique since 1972. She has been teaching the aural course at Guildhall School since 1990, which she was instrumental in designing.