Junior Music and Access Studies

Girl playing violin

Primary Music
Enjoyable and fun: music courses for children aged 5-11 years

We run two courses to give younger children a fun introduction to music. These are Strings First: Programme 1 and Music First: Programme 2. The children receive specialist tuition on their instrument and take part in group activities.

The course is held on Saturdays, usually in the morning or early afternoon.

Strings First: (Programme 1) for children aged 5-8
Tuition is offered on violin, viola and cello. The instrument lesson is normally in groups of two or three with a focus on developing sound technique. This is complemented with Rhythmic Movement and Ensemble classes to develop musicianship and teamwork skills.

There is no audition for Strings First: Programme 1. For those who are interested in enrolling on the course, there is the opportunity to take part in a ‘taster term’ and listen to the above instruments before deciding what to learn.

Music First (Programme 2) for children aged 8-11
All students have a principal study: tuition on a main instrument. This is offered on:

  • Keyboard – piano
  • Strings – violin, viola, cello, double bass, harp and guitar
  • Woodwind – flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone and recorder
  • Brass – cornet, trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba
  • Percussion – timpani and orchestral percussion

To complement individual tuition, there are small study groups focusing on music theory, Supporting Studies to develop aural skills and a choir where students join together to rehearse unison and part songs.

There is also the opportunity to join the Training Orchestra, which meets every week.

Entry to Music First Programme 2 is by audition.

There is information about what to expect at the audition plus preparation tips in our prospectus. Request your copy by contacting us: jmas@rwcmd.ac.uk or telephone 029 2039 1365.