Junior Music and Access Studies

JMAS Student

Student View

Meet some of our JMAS students and hear what they have to say about studying here.

Georgina, year 7 - Piano

JMAS Student

What have you been doing today at the college?

First, General Musicianship where I carried on with a piece I am composing. I also did some dictation work and singing from memory. Then I had Chamber Music where we looked at some pieces by Telemann, which are sounding really good!

What is your favourite thing about doing a JMAS course?

I love General Musicianship where I get the chance to compose my own pieces. I feel it is a way of widening musical knowledge! Also it gives me a chance to use Sibelius which is very fun. And of course, I absolutely LOVE my piano lessons!

What do you hope to do in the future?

I would really like to lecture in a college or university, but I would lecture music, of course! I also think that Music Therapy could be really fun.

What would you say to someone who is thinking of joining a JMAS course?

If music is important to you, go for it! You’ll have a great time!

Anything else you’d like to say about studying here?

My piano teacher is the best! She is a great inspiration to me.

Hannah, year 11 - Cello

JMAS Student

What have you been doing today at the college?

In the morning I had a Baroque Chamber lesson and after that General Musicianship where we compose on the Apple Macs and practise pitch dictation etc. I then had my cello lesson with a break of 45 mins to spend time in the café. We all attended the JMAS choir at 2.00pm and then orchestra at 3.00pm.

What is your favourite thing about doing a JMAS course?

The friends you make and playing music, which you later hear on Classic FM on the way home and can sing to. After a while you feel like a part of something and every week you improve a little more. The orchestra gives you an opportunity to play pieces which haven’t been made easier and test your ability in playing a challenging piece and listening to others.

What do you hope to do in the future?

Hopefully I will be travelling the world and I would like to be principal cellist in a leading orchestra at some point. I enjoy folk music as well and would like to be attending major festivals.

What would you say to someone who is thinking of joining a JMAS course?

Do it! It’s like school except it’s your choice and what you love doing. You begin to feel like your speaking another language. It’s fantastic.

Anything else you’d like to say about studying here?

I would rather do this every day of the week!

Rosie, year 11 - Flute

JMAS Student

What have you been doing today at the college?

Chamber Music in which I did flute duets, General Musicianship class in which I did composition and then a flute and violin lesson. I spent lunchtime relaxing with my friends in the college canteen.

What is your favourite thing about doing a JMAS course?

You get access to advanced training that prepares you musically for the future. Everyone here is very supportive and friendly.

What do you hope to do in the future?

Hopefully study music at music college.

What would you say to someone who is thinking of joining a JMAS course?

Go for it! You’ll make so much progress musically and make many new friends. It’s a brilliant opportunity.

Ellen, year 8 - Clarinet

JMAS Student

What have you been doing today at the college?

I have been working on my ongoing composition with a friend, who plays a different instrument to me. We also worked on musical dictation, which was fun. I worked on my Chamber Music for the competitions and I worked hard on my grade 7 pieces and scales. I continued learning more words in Choir and practised our pieces for orchestra.

What is your favourite thing about doing a JMAS course?

My favourite thing is my lesson. I love to learn more about what I can get out of my clarinet and actually playing it is great. The atmosphere in the college is inspiring. I also like that there are lots of people my age whose main focus is music.

What do you hope to do in the future?

Definitely something in music, but I’m not sure exactly what yet!

What would you say to someone who is thinking of joining a JMAS course?

Go ahead! It is such fun and you learn so much. You learn more in different areas of music than you would if you just had music lessons in your state school.

Anything else you’d like to say about studying here?

The teachers are very helpful and friendly. It is very easy to approach any of them with questions.