Skip to main content

Harp (ages 12-17)

Summer School for Children and Young People

Overview

This course is a five day immersion in the study of harp focusing on technical and musical development.

Throughout this short course, students will develop skills aiding them in further study, audition preparation and practice planning. They will have the opportunity to:

  • Develop technically and musically
  • Build repertoire and performance experience
  • Receive advice for practice planning and further study
  • Meet like-minded harpists and develop ensemble skills

At the beginning of the week, teachers will observe each student’s technique, musicianship and current level, in order to tailor the course to the individual’s needs.

You will have the opportunity to experience the life of a full time music student whilst working with our renowned Conservatoire teaching staff.

The course will culminate in an informal sharing of work for family and friends on the final day.

If you have any questions in advance of booking, please contact us at summerschools@rcs.ac.uk

The important details

Age:
12 - 17

Cost:
£370

Date:
27 - 31 July 2026

Time:
Monday - Friday, 10am - 5pm

Venue:
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, 100 Renfrew Street, Glasgow, G2 3DB


Course Information

Warm Up
Morning group classes will focus on warm up exercises and techniques, setting up the hands for each full study day. Helpful tips to avoid injury and how to get the best out of every practice session will also be covered.

Individual Lessons
One to one lessons will focus on developing the student’s interpretation and understanding of current repertoire and knowledge of the instrument. Technical weaknesses will be improved on with tutors offering solutions and repertoire for further study.

Technique Class
Staff will lead groups working on essentials of good harp technique.

Performance & Orchestral Classes
Students will have the opportunity to perform to fellow students in a more formal class directed by staff. There will also be work on improving stage presence as well as techniques for calming nerves.

Harp Ensemble
Harpists rarely have the opportunity to play together in large groups. Participation in this class will encourage and develop chamber music skills and demonstrate the importance of teamwork whilst producing high quality music making.

Applicants must be at ABRSM Grade 2 level or above.

Please bring along one piece of music currently being studied and your Harp/Clarsach if owned.

The course runs Monday 27 – 31 July 2026 from 10am to 5pm.

There will be a short sharing of the work students have been engaging with on the Friday afternoon for invited family and friends.

Teresa Barros Pereira Romão
Aimée Clark

Summer Accommodation

We are pleased to welcome students from across the world to our Summer Schools. Our course fees do not include accommodation or food, and these should be organised by the student. Our campus is located in Glasgow city centre, and you can find the addresses below.

We recommend Base Glasgow, a purpose-built accommodation for full-time Conservatoire students, with Rehearsal Rooms, Practice Spaces and Dance Studios. Base Glasgow is perfectly suited to offer short-term accommodation to our summer school students; both safe and secure, with 24/7 staff presence and only 3 mins walk from our main Renfrew Street building, keeping travel costs to a minimum.

Please note that accommodation at Base Glasgow is highly sought after and limited. Short Courses cannot guarantee that there will be room availability at the time of your course, and we strongly advise that bookings me made as soon as possible.

Classic Studio rooms come with a 3/4 bed, kitchen area with a microwave oven and induction hob, en-suite bathroom, ample storage, mirror, study desk and chair. These are self contained rooms with no shared spaces, and can be booked for either single or dual occupancy.

Please note that Short Courses staff are not affiliated with BASE or on site outwith the summer school teaching hours, and therefore cannot take responsibility for students outside of these hours.

For more information about booking accommodation at BASE Glasgow you can contact them directly via their website or email baseglasgow@herestudents.com

Alternatively, there are plenty of hotels, hostels, and B&B options available. We are located close to transport links should you wish to stay outside the city centre. If you are travelling to Glasgow for a course, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance that covers course fees, travel, accommodation, and cancellations due to COVID-19, as RCS will not refund in this circumstance. You can view the Cancellations and Refund policy for full information.

For students under 18 years old, we strongly advise travelling with a responsible adult should any emergency situations arise during class. Students are only monitored by staff during class times.

Where We’re Located

Renfrew Street Campus: 100 Renfrew Street, Glasgow, G2 3DB

Wallace Studios Campus: 210 Garscube Road, Glasgow, G4 9RR

Further Information

We want to ensure as many children, young people and adult learners as possible can access the performing and production arts education that is offered through Short Courses at RCS.

You can find more information about these funds on our Financial Support page.

We run various promotional offers for our Short Courses and Summer Schools. You can view our current offers on our Promotional Offers page.

You should contact us at shortcourses@rcs.ac.uk to request your discount code before booking a course.

Please note, only one promotional offer can be applied per course and should be used at the time of booking as we are unable to apply a discounts retrospectively.

Please see our Short Course FAQs for more information about all aspects of choosing, booking and attending your course.

Please see our Short Courses – Terms and Conditions for more information about your contract with Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and Cancellation and Refund policies.

Sign up to our mailing list to receive the latest updates of courses, offers and news from Short Courses. You can do this by completing this short online form.

Short Courses
shortcourses@rcs.ac.uk

Summer Schools
summerschools@rcs.ac.uk

Credit-Rated
credit-rated@rcs.ac.uk

Bursary and Scholarship
bursaryscholarship@rcs.ac.uk