SATURDAY CENTRE
CYM London’s Saturday Centre is a Centre for Advanced Training within the Department for Education’s Music & Dance Scheme. It also plays a part in the Guildhall Young Artists progression routes, from primary education right through to undergraduate and post-graduate studies in music.
Full Programme
Students participate in a choir, a supporting studies class, and where appropriate, at least one instrumental ensemble. They have a 30 minute one to one individual lesson on their chosen instrument/voice/composition (lessons can be extended to 45 or 60 minutes when appropriate, but at extra cost).
NB: Students on the Full Programme can have additional instrumental lessons outside of CYM but they shouldn’t be the same instrument as the one they have individual lessons on at CYM.
Core Programme
As Full Programme but without an individual lesson.
Ensemble Only
Students participate in one or more ensembles only – particularly appropriate for more advanced players.
Prelude Strings
An ensemble (10.00am– 11.30am) for young string players at Grade 1 to 2 level. The focus is on ensemble skills, the development of reading notation, practical musicianship and consolidation of good technique.
Taster Course
CYM offer students the opportunity to learn less familiar instruments for a Taster period, normally of up to three terms, at a specially discounted rate.
The Taster lessons are offered, subject to availability, in the following instruments: Oboe, Bassoon, Recorder, Viola, Double Bass, Harp, French Horn, Percussion, Trombone and Tuba.
New applicants for the Taster instruments may apply to the Centre at any time. Applicants will be asked to attend an interview where they will be given a short ‘musical aptitude test’. Students offered a place on the Taster Course begin their lessons at CYM at the beginning of any of the three terms.
Taster Course students may opt to take choir and/or musicianship classes as well as receiving individual tuition.
Existing CYM students who wish to take up a Taster instrument may apply to the relevant Head of Department at any time. Places to existing students are offered to students only if their current work is of a sufficiently high standard.
PRIMARY YEARS PROGRAMME
A four year starter music course for children starting in School Year 1 (5 in the September of entry) to encourage children to explore the joy of making music. In the first year they will acquire the simple skills and fine muscle control necessary to develop technical proficiency on an instrument. Singing, rhythm and movement activities will teach an instinctive connection between what these young musicians do with their hands, their voices, their eyes, their ears and their intellect. This sense of connection is the crucial foundation for a rich life-long experience of music. In year two of the programme, students pick an instrument choice form violin, viola, cello, double bass, guitar or recorder and take part in a group lesson and ensemble as well as continuing with musicianship. This continues into year three of the programme. In the fourth and final year of the primary years programme students get a 20 minute individual lesson, a specialised ensemble and they continue with musicianship. The idea of this progressive programme is that students finish PYP and graduate into the CYM Full Programme (see above) without the need to audition.
There are no audition requirements for entry. Places may be limited and will be given on a first come first serve basis. To apply for a place on this course please go to our APPLY page.
YOUTH BRASS
The CYM Youth Brass programme is an opportunity for all young children with a passion for music to learn and develop their skills and creativity in a vibrant and stimulating environment.
Our Youth Brass Programme is designed as a two-year progressive course. In each year of the programme you will receive, group instrumental tuition on your chosen instrument, with no more than four students per group, and 45 minutes of musicianship tuition incorporating Kodáy and Dalcroze teaching methods. These methods introduce students to musical concepts through experiences such as listening, singing and movement. Learning is reinforced through games, movement, songs and exercises that enhance musical expression and
understanding.
Through this course, we will help you to progress and flourish, with excellent tuition and mentoring from highly regarded professional brass players on our CYM staff.
There are no audition requirements for entry. Places may be limited and will be given on a first come first serve basis. To apply for a place on this course please complete our online application form found on our APPLY page.