Brass and String Training Programmes
About our Brass and String Training Programmes
Junior Guildhall provides training programmes for beginners or recent starters in Years 2 to 6 on brass and string instruments. The programmes take place on Saturdays in the School’s John Hosier Annexe, which offers a secure environment for young children. The children receive 30 lessons in each subject over the academic year. There are also a few extra Saturdays on which teachers can offer "make-up" lessons.
There are approximately 160 students across the two programmes and the teaching takes place between 8am and 5pm. Instruments taught are violin, viola, cello, mini bass, harp, guitar, french horn, trumpet and trombone (and tuba for the older children). External applications are accepted from Year 3.
There is a set course fee for Years 2 to 6. The instrumental lesson automatically increases from 20 to 30 minutes as children progress to Year 3. The length of the lesson may be increased with both teacher and parental approval. Extra study piano lessons can also be requested.
If the length of the instrumental lesson is increased, or if piano lessons are taken, there is an extra charge.
It is possible to buy or rent instruments very reasonably and the School will help with relevant information.
* There are sometimes a few places available for children, who have already started learning an instrument, to enter in Years 3 to 5. Please contact the Junior Guildhall office for availability. We generally have space available for any children wishing to study the mini bass.
Entry requirements
There is no audition procedure. For entry, children will be invited from Year 1 of the Kindergarten Course to attend Year 2 (Year 2 children are those who have their seventh birthday on or between 1 September and 31 August) of the Brass and String Training Programmes following internal teacher assessment. There are a limited number of places available and entry, therefore is highly competitive. See 'How to Apply' for more details.
Course highlights
The programme provides children with:
- an integrated programme embracing Kodály, Dalcroze, ensemble training and instrumental tuition
- an enjoyable first experience of music-making - a good grounding in basic musical skills
- a firm technical grounding on their chosen instrument
- fun and games in group music-making
- Musical and technical aspects of learning an instrument are delivered in a way that is fun, drawing on games and exercises that stimulate the children while allowing them to learn in a structured manner
- Learn from teachers who are specialists in their given area of teaching and have a working knowledge of the other disciplines being taught. All staff are highly qualified and experienced teachers
- By the end of the training programmes, children will have learned a series of musical skills which they will be able to apply to their instrumental studies. The children are all encouraged to work to their fullest ability and those who show particular talent and commitment to their musical studies can audition for a place on the Junior Guildhall Music Course
- The set course fee covers a 20-minute one-to-one lesson over 30 weeks (which increases to 30 minutes in Year 3), a Kodály class, a Rhythmics class, an ensemble and choir for members of Years 5 and 6
- Extra study piano lessons can be requested
- It is possible to buy or rent instruments very reasonably and the School will help with relevant information
- Get feedback from teachers via an annual report
- Receive guidance from the Head of Strings on progress and next steps
- Junior Guildhall has an extensive library of ensemble music which students are able to benefit from. Students may then sign out individual parts for pieces their group is rehearsing. Junior Guildhall students may also join the Barbican Library which is open on Saturdays. The Barbican Chimes Music Shop is located on Silk Street from which sheet music can be bought and ordered. Junior Guildhall students are entitled to a 10% discount on music bought through the shop.
- The School's recording studio incorporates an advanced industry standard Pro Tools recording and production system. Most concerts are recorded for archiving purposes and parents may obtain recordings of concerts in which their children have performed. There are also two elaborately equipped electronic studios, which boast a comprehensive range of synthesisers, samplers, effects units and computer systems.
Junior Guildhall String Training Programme at Felsted School, Essex
In addition to Junior Guildhall’s highly successful String Training Programme in London, a similar programme is established at Felsted School in Essex that allows children to follow the same course in the excellent facilities of the Felsted School music department. Instruments taught on the programme are the violin, viola, cello and mini bass with piano available as an extra study. When applying online, please ensure that the ‘Felsted School courses’ option is selected.
Course regulations
These notes are taken from the Agreement parents sign when accepting a Junior Guildhall place. If you would like a copy of the Agreement please contact the Junior Guildhall office.
- Junior Guildhall students are not permitted to participate in masterclasses or take instrumental lessons outside the School (unless with the student’s Junior Guildhall teacher) on instruments studied at the School unless permission is granted by the Head of Junior Guildhall.
- The full annual fee will vary according to any timetable requests made and the first instalment of fees must be paid prior to the commencement of tuition.
- Students are expected to remain at Junior Guildhall for a full academic year (or remainder of the academic year if tuition commenced after the start of the year). If a student is withdrawn from the course at any time during the year, the full annual fee (or proportion of annual fees if the student started after the commencement of the academic year) will still be payable unless dispensation has been granted by the Head of Junior Guildhall. If a parent wishes to withdraw a student at the end of the academic year, notice must be given in writing to the Head of Junior Guildhall no later than 1 April.
- Students are accepted into Junior Guildhall on the understanding that they make satisfactory progress and that they attend regularly. When students wish to be absent, permission must be requested in writing the Head of Junior Guildhall. Students should not arrange other activities on a term time Saturday or concert day until permission for absence has been granted by the School.
- Please note that we do not give students permission to miss concerts/performances or important rehearsals.
- Leave of absence will normally be granted for days when a student is not involved in a concert/performance, an important rehearsal, an internal assessment or other important event. Repeated absence can be detrimental to a student’s musical progress and very disruptive to ensemble work. For this reason, the Head of Junior Guildhall will normally only grant a student one absence per term. Absence from Saturdays may reduce a student’s chances of participation in Chamber Music. Written requests for absence should be made as early as possible.
- In the interest of all students, Junior Guildhall concerts and performances must have priority over any outside engagements that students may be offered. Principal concert dates are available from the Administrator more than a year in advance.
- The Office should be informed as soon as possible if a student is ill so that relevant teachers can be notified.
- The School occasionally arranges for photographs to be taken of the students. This is carried out in an unobtrusive manner and may be used for record and archival purposes. Junior Guildhall will seek separate permission if the images are to be used in the prospectus or in other published material and/or multi-media relating to the School.
These notes and conditions are subject to change from time to time. Parents will be notified in writing in advance of any such changes. On accepting a place, parents will receive a Handbook which details Junior Guildhall’s procedures and policies.
